Study lessons

In-depth, cited lessons for the Mobile Crane CORE exam. Read a topic, then jump straight into the matching practice quiz.

Exam prep guides

Site & Setup

Crane Fundamentals & TerminologyPending review
A first-principles foundation for the Mobile Crane CORE exam: how to tell the major crane types apart, name every major component correctly, define the load-out terms the chart depends on (radius, boom length/angle, rated capacity), and understand the tipping-moment physics that makes a crane stable or not.28 min read · Read lesson →
Site, Ground Conditions & Power LinesPending review
How to read a setup site like a crane operator: ground bearing pressure and why floats need cribbing on the outer bearing surface, outrigger extension and the 1% level rule, who owns ground conditions, overhead power-line clearances (Table A: 10 ft up to 50 kV, 20 ft for unknown voltage up to 350 kV) and the treat-as-energized rule, plus swing-radius and underground/void hazards.28 min read · Read lesson →

Load Charts & Capacity

Load Charts 101 — Reading the Chart (and the Notes That Fail Operators)Pending review
How to read the capacity grid and the NOTES that actually fail operators — gross vs net, deductions, parts of line, structural-vs-stability, and the erected-jib / aux-sheave traps, with worked examples on the Academy chart.25 min read · Read lesson →

Rigging Basics

Rigging FundamentalsPending review
A first-principles study lesson on slings, hitches, sling-angle math, D/d ratio, load center of gravity, rigging hardware, capacity tags, and inspection/removal criteria — grounded in ASME B30.9, B30.26, and OSHA 1926 Subpart CC.28 min read · Read lesson →

Signals & Communication

Signals & CommunicationPending review
How crane operators give, receive, and verify signals — the standard hand signals, voice/radio rules and pre-use testing, the universal stop/emergency signal, when a signal person is required, signal-person qualification and duties, and pre-lift communication planning — grounded in ASME B30.5-2025 §5-3.3 and OSHA Subpart CC.24 min read · Read lesson →

Operations & Safe Practices

Operations & Safe PracticesPending review
An in-depth Core lesson on running a mobile crane lift safely: pre-lift planning and checks, two-blocking and the anti-two-block device, side loading limited to freely suspended loads, keeping clear of and out from under the load, the operator staying at the controls, smooth control and dynamic loading, swinging/travel/pick-and-carry limits, wind and weather limits, securing and shutdown, emergency procedures, and an introduction to critical and multi-crane lifts. Grounded in ASME B30.5-2025 Chapter 5-3 and OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC.28 min read · Read lesson →

Inspection & Maintenance

Inspection & MaintenancePending review
A first-principles study lesson on mobile-crane inspection types and frequencies, who performs them, what to check, wire-rope removal criteria, handling deficiencies, documentation, and safe maintenance — cited to OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC and ASME B30.5-2025 Chapter 5-2.25 min read · Read lesson →

Specialty load-chart guides

Load-chart interpretation for each mobile-crane specialty exam. Read the guide for your crane type, then take the matching specialty Knowledge Check.

Lessons are original and cited (OSHA 1926 Subpart CC, ASME B30.5), currently authored & pending expert (SME) review. Crane Academy is an independent study tool — not affiliated with or endorsed by NCCCO.

Study lessons

Exam prep guides

Site & Setup

Load Charts & Capacity

Rigging Basics

Signals & Communication

Operations & Safe Practices

Inspection & Maintenance

Specialty load-chart guides

Telescopic Boom Cranes — Fixed Cab (TSS)

Telescopic Boom Cranes — Swing Cab (TLL)

Lattice Boom Truck Cranes (LBT)

Lattice Boom Crawler Cranes (LBC)