Safety Precautions for Operating a Truck-Mounted Crane

1. Wear appropriate clothing suitable for work. Always wear work uniforms and safety helmets.
2. Conduct a pre-operation inspection. If any issues are found during the inspection, repair them immediately.
3. Check the safety conditions around the crane before starting operations.
4. Check the hydraulic oil level using the oil level indicator. The oil level must be between the H and L marks. If it’s insufficient, refill the hydraulic oil.
5. Ensure the control levers are in a neutral position before engaging the power take-off (PTO). If the levers are not centered, the crane may move immediately after engaging the PTO, leading to serious accidents.
6. Preheat the engine. After starting the engine, engage the PTO and let the engine run at low speed for sufficient preheating.
7. Set up the crane on a firm, level surface. Avoid soft ground. If necessary, place solid wood blocks or steel plates under the crane’s outriggers to prevent them from sinking into the ground.
8. Fully extend the outriggers as much as possible during lifting operations. Use locking pins to secure the outriggers. If not locked, the outriggers may retract automatically.
9. Connect the alarm switch to the power supply before starting the crane. Keep this switch off while driving.
10. Avoid side-loading or dragging heavy loads on the ground as it can cause severe damage to the crane.
11. Do not lift loads that exceed the rated capacity to prevent damage from overloading.
12. Lift the load slightly off the ground first to ensure it’s safe. Test the brakes before fully lifting the load.
13. Monitor the boom for distortion. If the crane or chassis shifts under load, adjust the load to stabilize the crane.
14. Move the control levers slowly when lifting loads. Sudden movements can endanger operators and reduce crane stability.
15. Turn the crane boom slowly. Sudden starts or stops can cause the load to swing, damaging the crane.
16. Exercise caution when turning the boom from the rear to the side. The crane is more stable when the boom is at the rear, so turn slowly and observe stability.
17. Reduce the load when moving the boom to the front. The stability at the front is lower, so decrease the load to 25% of the truck’s unloaded capacity.
18. Stay focused while operating the crane. Distractions can lead to serious accidents.
19. Keep workers clear of the boom and load. Unauthorized personnel should not be within the crane’s operational radius.
20. Ensure at least three wire rope loops remain on the drum. Be cautious when lowering loads to avoid loosening the wire rope excessively.
21. Check for overhead obstacles around the boom and the load.
22. Never stand under a suspended load, and the operator should not leave the crane when a load is suspended.
23. Stop crane operations in poor weather conditions, such as strong winds (over 10 meters per second) or thunderstorms. Retract the boom when necessary.
24. Maintain hydraulic oil temperature within the allowable range (-20°C to 60°C). Stop operations if the temperature exceeds the limit to protect the hydraulic system and prevent oil degradation.
25. Secure the boom and hook when driving. The boom should be retracted, and the hook fastened to the hook stopper.
26. Lock the outriggers with pins before driving. Unlocked outriggers may extend while driving, causing accidents.
27. Disengage the PTO when the truck is moving. Keeping it engaged while driving can reduce the PTO’s lifespan or cause the crane to start unintentionally.
28. Do not move the truck with a suspended load.
29. Inspect the crane regularly. Perform annual and monthly inspections, replace lubricants and consumables regularly, and repair any malfunctions immediately.
30. Operating a malfunctioning crane can lead to serious accidents.

By following these precautions, operators can ensure the safe use of truck-mounted cranes and prevent accidents on the job site.