AS 2550.

5—1993

Australian StandardR

Cranes—Safe use

Part 5: Mobile and vehicle–loading

cranes
Accessed by Clough Engineering on 07 Sep 2001
 This Australian Standard was prepared by committee ME/5, Cranes. It was approved on
behalf of the Council of Standards Australia on 15 June 1993 and published on 13 September
1993.

The following interests are represented on Committee ME/5:

A.C.T. Occupational Health and Safety Office
Association of Consulting Engineers, Australia
Australian Chamber of Manufactures
Australian Institute of Building
Bureau of Steel Manufacturers of Australia
Construction and Mining Equipment Association of Australia
Crane Industry Council of Australia
Department of Defence (Commonwealth)
Department of Employment, Industrial Relations and Training, Tas.
Department of Employment, Vocational Education, Training and Industrial Relations,
Qld
Department of Labour, S.A.
Department of Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare, W.A.
Electricity Supply Association of Australia
Institution of Engineers, Australia
Lift Manufacturers Association of Australia
Maritime Services Board of New South Wales
Metal Trades Industry Association of Australia
Occupational Health and Safety Authority, Vic.
Port of Melbourne Authority
Public Works Department, N.S.W.
Railways of Australia Committee
Telecom Australia
University of New South Wales
Water Board, Sydney—Illawarra—Blue Mountains
WorkCover Authority, N.S.W.
Work Health Authority, N.T.
Accessed by Clough Engineering on 07 Sep 2001

Review of Australian Standards. To keep abreast of progress in industry, Australian Standards are subject to
periodic review and are kept up to date by the issue of amendments or new editions as necessary. It is important
therefore that Standards users ensure that they are in possession of the latest edition, and any amendments thereto.
Full details of all Australian Standards and related publications will be found in the Standards Australia Catalogue
of Publications; this information is supplemented each month by the magazine ‘The Australian Standard’, which
subscribing members receive, and which gives details of new publications, new editions and amendments, and of
withdrawn Standards.
Suggestions for improvements to Australian Standards, addressed to the head office of Standards Australia, are
welcomed. Notification of any inaccuracy or ambiguity found in an Australian Standard should be made without
delay in order that the matter may be investigated and appropriate action taken.

This Standard was issued in draft form for comment as DR 91158.

 AS 2550.5—1993

Australian StandardR

Cranes—Safe use

Part 5: Mobile and vehicle–loading

cranes
Accessed by Clough Engineering on 07 Sep 2001

First published as part of AS 1418.1—1977.

Revised and redesignated in part as AS 2550—1982.
Revised and redesignated in part as AS 2550.5—1993.

PUBLISHED BY STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

(STANDARDS ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA)
1 THE CRESCENT, HOMEBUSH, NSW 2140
ISBN 0 7262 8361 4
 PREFACE
This Standard was prepared by the Standards Australia Committee on Cranes to supersede, in part,
AS 2550—1982, Cranes—Mobile, tower and derrick—Selection and operation.
This Part 5 of Cranes—Safe use, specifies the requirements which apply to mobile and vehicle loading
cranes. Additional requirements for Cranes—Safe use will be covered by subsequent parts.
It is intended to publish the following parts:
(a) General requirements
(b) Tower cranes
(c) Mobile and vehicle–loading cranes
(d) Guided storing and retrieving appliances
(e) Builders’ hoists and equipment
(f) Special purpose appliances
(g) Vehicle hoists
(h) Elevating work platforms
(i) Building maintenance units
(j) Concrete placing equipment
(k) Mast work platforms

CONTENTS
Page
1 SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3 DEFINITIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
4 SITING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
5 ERECTION AND DISMANTLING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
6 OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
7 LIMITING AND INDICATING DEVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
APPENDIX A BASIC TERMINOLOGY AND FUNCTIONS OF TYPICAL
MOBILE CRANES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
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E Copyright — STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

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 3 AS 2550.5—1993

STANDARDS AUSTRALIA

Australian Standard
Cranes—Safe use

Part 5: Mobile and vehicle-loading cranes

1 SCOPE This Standard specifies requirements for the safe use of mobile and vehicle
loading cranes.
Where this Standard uses the word(s) crane or mobile crane it shall be taken to include
vehicle-loading cranes where appropriate.
It is complementary to AS 2550.1, but requirements given herein take precedence over the
corresponding requirements in AS 2550.1.
NOTES:
1 The basic terminology and functions of typical mobile cranes are given in Appendix A.
2 Typical types of mobile cranes and vehicle-loading cranes are illustrated in AS 2549.

2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS The following documents are referred to in this

Standard:
AS
2549 Cranes— Glossary of terms
2550 Cranes— Safe use
2550.1 Part 1: General requirements

3 DEFINITIONS For the purpose of this Standard, the definitions given in AS 2549
and AS 2550.1 shall apply.

4 SITING
4.1 General requirements As mobile cranes and vehicle-loading cranes are often
required to operate at a number of locations and handle a widely differing range of loads,
particular consideration should be given to siting.
The overall stability and safety of the crane shall be carefully checked in relation to local
conditions of operation. Such conditions of operation may include some or all of the
following and may apply to the crane access path and crane assembly area:
(a) In close proximity to excavation or embankments (see Clause 4.2).
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(b) On soft or sloping surfaces (see Clause 4.3).

(c) In riverbed, tidal or flood water areas (see Clause 4.4).
(d) Over or in close proximity to cellars, underground cavities or services (see
Clause 4.5).
(e) On structures such as bridge decks, wharves and jetties (see Clause 4.6).
(f) On partially completed building frames, or other structural supports (see
Clause 4.6).
(g) Adequate site space and ground bearing capacity available for outriggers, if fitted,
(see Clause 4.7).

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 AS 2550.5—1993 4

4.2 Excavations and embankments Where a crane is required to work in close

proximity to an excavation or an embankment, particular care and appropriate precautions
shall be taken. The loads imposed by the crane shall be considered in the engineering
assessment of embankments and excavations.
4.3 Soft surfaces Soft or waterlogged surfaces are not generally suitable for supporting
a crane in operation unless special steps are taken to provide satisfactory crane standing.
Mats, steel plates, timber sleepers, a concrete raft or similar aids should be used to
distribute the operational loads under the support points of the crane so that the bearing
capacity of the supporting surface is not exceeded.
4.4 Riverbed, tidal or flood water areas Where a crane is required to stand in
flowing water, the effects of scouring the surface around the crane supports present a
serious hazard. Constant checks should be made and appropriate precautions taken.
The possibility of a crane being trapped by flood water, or by an incoming tide, should
not be overlooked.
4.5 Working over cellars, ground cavities or underground services Where a crane is
required to operate over or adjacent to cellars, basements, underground cavities,
incorrectly compacted supporting surfaces or underground services, adequate precautions
shall be taken.
4.6 Working on structures The structure of a bridge, a wharf, a jetty, a building or a
suspended concrete slab shall be checked to ensure that it is capable of withstanding the
operational forces applied by a crane operating on it.
4.7 Outriggers When outriggers are to be used the site conditions shall allow for
setting up of the outriggers to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Where necessary, steel plates of the required strength, or suitably prepared packing, shall
be placed under the outrigger foot plates to ensure that the allowable bearing pressure
under the footplate is not exceeded.
Frequent verification of the level of the crane from the level indicator and examination of
the crane standing shall be made during the working day to ensure that there has been no
movement which might affect the stability of the crane. This is particularly important
immediately before and after lifting a load equal to or greater than 50 percent of the rated
capacity of the crane.

5 ERECTION AND DISMANTLING

5.1 Crane stability during erection and dismantling procedures Precautions shall be
taken when erecting and dismantling a crane to ensure that the stability of the crane is
maintained. In particular, the following procedures shall be followed, where applicable:
(a) Correctly fit and adjust all outrigger jacks and stabilizers in accordance with the
operating instructions to provide a firm base for the crane.
(b) Ensure that the correct amount of counterweight is fitted on the crane and at the
appropriate location before any attempt is made to raise the boom or jib.
(c) Remove the specified counterweight when the operating length of boom or jib is
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reduced, otherwise the backward stability of the crane may be adversely affected.
(d) Before a long boom is lowered to the ground level, take appropriate precautions,
including the re-setting of auxiliary outriggers where these are provided.
(e) To maintain the best margin of stability when a long boom is raised or lowered to
the ground level, lower and rest the hook blocks on the ground before the boom or
jib is lowered.
NOTE: Unless otherwise stated in the operating instructions, it is advisable during erecting or
lowering of a long boom or jib to perform this operation with boom axis or jib axis in the
longitudinal axis of the mounting, i.e. in the position offering greatest stability of the crane. For
a crawler-mounted crane operating on a hard surface, packers placed under the ends of the
crawler tracks reduce the tendency for the crane to rock when a long boom or jib is lowered to
the ground level.

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 5 AS 2550.5—1993

5.2 Adjustment of outriggers Where a crane is fitted with outriggers which are to be
used when it is in service, all outrigger jacks shall be fitted correctly with footplates and
adjusted in accordance with the operating instructions to provide a base for the crane
within the manufacturer’s tolerances.

6 OPERATION
6.1 Travelling and transportation
6.1.1 Road travel Road travel shall be in accordance with the operating instructions
and the local regulations.
When road travelling, all persons on the crane shall occupy seating specifically designed
for the purpose.
6.1.2 Site travel with a boom or a jib fitted Sometimes it is necessary to assemble and
erect the boom or jib at a remote location and to drive the crane to the place of work with
the boom or jib erected. With long boom or jib cranes, this may be a dangerous operation
and should only be undertaken with care. In such circumstances, the route to be traversed
should be firm and level and the operation should be carried out at creep speeds with the
boom or jib in line with the direction of travel and with the slewing locks engaged. The
manufacturer’s recommendations for this operation shall be adhered to.
6.1.3 Loading cranes for transportation Crawler cranes and certain types of
wheel-mounted mobile cranes may need to be transported on another vehicle between
operating sites. The gradient of the ramp used for loading a crane for transportation shall
not be greater than the maximum gradient specified for the stability of the crane when
configured for loading.
6.1.4 Security of crane for transportation Where a mobile crane is to be transported on
another vehicle, it shall be securely attached to the carrying vehicle to prevent movement.
Some cranes may require chocking for transport.
The operating instructions shall be followed for transportation of cranes. This is
particularly important in respect of restrictions in boom or jib length, boom or jib
suspension and counterweights.
Where a mobile crane is to be transported, the following precautions shall be followed:
(a) Engage the crane’s park brakes, operational brakes and locking devices.
(b) Secure loose items, such as the hook block, to prevent any movement.
(c) Securely stow and fasten the outrigger beams and footplates.
6.1.5 Transportation of the boom section and the jib section Where mobile cranes are
being transported, it is important that boom sections and jib sections, either fitted on the
crane or carried separately, are properly stowed, supported and secured to avoid damage.
Any structural damage to the elements of the boom or jib, such as bent chords, lacing or
bracing, affects the load-carrying capacity of the boom or jib and shall be reported to the
management. The crane shall not be used until the damage has been repaired.
Where a boom or jib support is fitted on a mobile crane, it shall be used in accordance
with the operating instructions. Boom sections or jib sections should be firmly secured to
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the vehicle by fibre ropes, webbing straps or other suitable means to prevent any
movement. Chains shall not be used to secure boom sections or jib sections.
6.1.6 Travel and transport clearances Before a crane travels or is transported, special
attention shall be given to the overall clearance height of the crane and overhanging
projections, such as the boom or jib.
The route shall be checked to ensure that the crane can be moved safely, and the
regulatory authorities shall be consulted, as required.
6.2 Working near aerial conductors (overhead power lines) When working near
aerial conductors, the precautions given in AS 2550.1 shall be followed.
The action to be taken in the event of contact with an aerial conductor is given in
AS 2550.1.

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 AS 2550.5—1993 6

6.3 Load rating

6.3.1 Load chart The crane’s safe working loads for all conditions of use shall be set
out legibly on permanent material, with print size not less than 2 mm letter height and
prominently displayed in the crane cabin or operating position. The working radius
displayed on the load chart is the radius of the hook with the working load suspended (see
Figure 1). The mass of the hook blocks or blocks suspended, the falls of rope, an
allowance for any fly jib either erected at the jib head or stowed on the boom butt, any
auxiliary head sheave and of any load slinging or hoisting attachments may have to be
added to the mass of the net load to arrive at the gross load when considering the safe
working load of the crane.
Where no rating is displayed on the load chart for a particular working zone, no lifting
shall be attempted in that zone.
It is critical to establish both the working radius and the mass of the load.
Where the assessed load is greater than 50 percent of the safe working load for the
working radius involved, the load shall be carefully determined by weighing or
calculation.
Stability is not always the limitation for safe working load and, under certain conditions, a
structural failure may occur before the crane gives any indication of overturning under
load.
The safe working loads of a crane at the fly jib are influenced by the jib length and the
jib angle with respect to the boom (jib offset). The offset angles shall match those on the
load charts.
The safe working loads apply only —
(a) to cranes on outriggers, when correctly installed level to within one degree, with the
outriggers extended and set to the manufacturer’s specifications on a firm surface
and the wheels jacked clear of the ground as specified; or
(b) to cranes static free on wheels or in pick-and-carry mode when supported solely by
its wheels or tracks on a firm surface level to within the manufacturer’s
specifications on correctly dimensioned, inflated and ballasted tyres with spring
lockouts engaged (as applicable).
Reference shall always be made to the crane operating instructions, the load charts or
appropriate crane specification to establish the restrictions, limitations or special
conditions applicable to the particular crane.
Where it is necessary to operate cranes in the pick-and-carry mode on non-level surfaces,
the manufacturer shall be approached for ratings to suit such use and any prerequisites for
use, e.g. setting of spring lockouts. A reduction of safe working loads is generally
required and manufacturer’s ratings and recommendations shall be followed for all such
use.
Some manufacturers provide alternative versions of the same model of crane and it is
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essential to use a load chart that is appropriate to the design capacity of the boom or jib,
the counterweight fitted, and the specification of the mounting.
6.3.2 Radii extending under load When a load is hoisted, the working radius of mobile
cranes may increase because of the following, as applicable:
(a) Stretch in the pendents.
(b) Deflection of the boom or the jib structure.
(c) Tyre deflection.
(d) Chassis twist or deflection.
When a near capacity load for the working radius is to be handled, the increase in
working radius may be offset by the operation of the luffing-up motion.

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 7 AS 2550.5—1993

FIGURE 1 WORKING RADIUS FOR MOBILE CRANES

6.4 Precautions in the use of a telescopic boom crane The following precautions
shall be observed during the operation of a crane with a telescopic boom:
(a) Take extreme care with capacity loads because the increase in the working radius
under load is more critical with cranes with telescopic booms (see Clause 6.3.2).

(b) Refer to the load chart to obtain minimum boom angle for relative boom extensions
and jib extensions to avoid tipping conditions which may be created with long
cantilever booms or fly jibs in the following instances:
(i) When in the extended and lowered position.

(ii) When the crane is engaged in ‘pick-and-carry’ duties.

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(c) When telescoping the boom, the hoist rope may need to be let out to prevent the
load from hoisting up and blocking of the boom.
(d) When retracting the boom, the hoist rope may need to be taken in.
(e) Ensure that telescopic boom sections are extended and retracted at all times as
specified by the manufacturer.
(f) Do not attempt to retract a manual extension of the crane boom by raising the boom
and allowing the extension to drop back.
(g) Refer to the load charts for both extreme boom positions. A telescopic boom crane
may exhibit instability in the no-load condition because of the moment of the boom
relative to the moment of the counterweight.

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 AS 2550.5—1993 8

6.5 Travelling with suspended loads (pick-and-carry)

6.5.1 General Acceleration and braking motions during travelling shall be applied
gently to minimize the swing of the load. Taglines should be used to prevent pendulum
motion of the load (refer Figure 2). The load should be carried as near to the supporting
surface as is practicable.
Persons assisting the crane operator shall not be located between a suspended load and the
crane and they shall be visible to the crane operator.
Boom slew position in relation to the carrier shall be kept inside the specified sector.
6.5.2 Surface preparation Where necessary, the surface to be traversed should be
prepared to ensure a firm and level access route for the crane. Surface depressions and
potholes should be filled to prevent the crane from tilting laterally or in the direction of
travelling. Where surface penetration may occur in soft surfaces, mats or other suitable
travelling surfaces should be laid.
6.5.3 Out of level operation The rated capacity of a crane is determined with the crane
levelled to within one degree. A crane out of level by more than one degree may suffer a
serious reduction in lifting capacity. The worst effect is when cranes with long booms are
operating at short radius.
6.5.4 Slopes Negotiation of slopes by mobile cranes travelling with suspended loads
should be avoided. Figure 3 illustrates the effect of a sloping surface on working radius.
Where the negotiation of a slope is unavoidable, a competent person should be consulted
and be in attendance to advise on the feasibility of the operation and the precautions to be
taken. It is essential that any crane used in this type of operation has adequate capacity
over the loads to be hoisted. In general, the load should always be carried on the uphill
side of the crane, irrespective of the direction of travel. The slewing lock should be
engaged. Slewing should be avoided except to maintain the load in the uphill direction.
Loads should always be placed on the uphill side of the crane and precautions taken so
that neither the boom or jib nor crane become unstable on release of the load. Loads
should always be carried as near to the surface as practicable.
Before a gradient is ascended, digging locks, where fitted on a crawler crane, should be
engaged in position to prevent the crane from running backwards.
When the working location is reached, both digging locks should be engaged to prevent
any movement of the crawler tracks before the clutch is shifted from travel to slew.
6.5.5 Avoidance of side loading on boom or jib Booms and jibs are designed to operate
with the load vertical to the axis of the boom or jib. Side loading may cause the boom or
jib to collapse and should be avoided. With any side loading, the moment arm for the
sideways component of the loading is the length of the boom and for very long booms
this may have a serious deleterious effect on crane stability (see Figure 4).

7 LIMITING AND INDICATING DEVICES

7.1 Inspection, testing and calibration Load limiting and indicating devices shall be
inspected, tested, and calibrated as follows:
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(a) Prior to daily operation, a check shall be made to ensure that the system is
functional in accordance with the system manufacturer’s written instructions.
(b) Identified system malfunctions shall be corrected, in accordance with the system
manufacturer’s instructions, prior to the continued usage of the system.
(c) Every twelve months or more frequently, the system shall be inspected and tested
by a competent person. If calibration is required, it shall be done by a competent
person.
7.2 Records The crane owner (user) shall maintain a record of the dates and the results
of the annual (minimum) or periodic inspections of the load limiting and indicating
devices. Records shall be kept on the crane and made available to the crane operator and
appointed personnel.

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 9 AS 2550.5—1993

7.3 Maintenance Load limiting and indicating devices shall be maintained according
to the system manufacturer’s written maintenance instructions.
7.4 Operating instructions The manufacturer shall supply pertinent operating
instructions with each load limiting and indicating device.

NOTE: Keep the load under control.

FIGURE 2 EFFECT OF A SWINGING LOAD ON THE WORKING RADIUS

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 AS 2550.5—1993 10

NOTE: Avoid working on sloping ground.

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FIGURE 3 EFFECT ON WORKING RADIUS DURING WORKING

OR TRAVELLING ON SLOPES

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 11 AS 2550.5—1993

FIGURE 4 AVOIDANCE OF SIDE LOADING ON BOOM OR JIB

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 AS 2550.5—1993 12

APPENDIX A
BASIC TERMINOLOGY AND FUNCTIONS OF TYPICAL MOBILE CRANES
(Normative)
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Accessed by Clough Engineering on 07 Sep 2001