September 15, 2021—CCO is honored to announce that it is adopting standardized test site layouts for the Mobile Crane Operator certification program. A review of the thousands of customized computer-assisted drawings (CADs) developed since 1999 for mobile crane practical exams indicated that over 80 percent of sites could have used one of a limited number of test site layouts.
The move to standardized CADs will streamline the test site approval process and will be much more efficient for test site coordinators and practical examiners because they will get CADs much more quickly. Effective October 1, there will be 12 standardized CADs available to approved test sites. Previously issued CADs are not affected by this change; they remain valid and may be used for testing. Standardized CADs will be issued for any new applications submitted.
The new process promises numerous benefits, including reduced turnaround time for CADs, reduced confusion on paperwork, improved transparency on the CAD process, and better support for crane purchases because testing facilities will know in advance which cranes they can most quickly obtain CADs for.
Once a site fee has been paid, the application process will be reduced from the current four weeks to no more than a week. The Test Site Application has been greatly simplified, and test site coordinators seeking standard CADs will no longer be required to submit load charts, range diagrams, and line pull charts with their applications. Upon receipt of a Test Site Application, CCO staff will issue the CAD(s) that meet the information contained in the request.
Test Sites can use the following matrix to determine if a standard CAD is available for their crane. All standardized CAD(s) test weights must have a three-foot (3’) outside diameter to be eligible to use the standardized CADs; any test site that needs to use a different size test weight will be required to submit for a customized CAD.
Lattice Boom Cranes
(LBT & LBC)
|
Factor 1 - Capacity
|
Less than 50-ton
|
Greater than 50-ton
|
| Telescopic Boom Crane—Swing Cab (TLL) |
Factor 1 - Machine Type
|
Factor 2 - Boom Mount Position
|
Factor 3 - Boom Length
|
Factor 4 - Rear Stabilizer
|
| Boom Truck |
Behind the Cab
|
42' – 50'
|
<=16' |
50' – 90'
|
16' – 18'
|
Rear/Center Mount
|
50' – 90'
|
16' – 18' |
Truck Crane
Rough Terrain
All Terrain
Hydraulic Truck
|
N/A |
50' – 60' |
N/A |
| 70' – 90' |
| Telescopic Boom Crane—Fixed Cab (TSS) |
Factor 1 - Machine Type
|
Factor 2 - Boom Mount Position
|
Factor 3 - Boom Length
|
Factor 4 - Rear Stabilizer
|
Neck Breaker
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
Carry Deck
|
N/A
|
30' – 50'
|
N/A |
Boom Truck
|
Behind the Cab
|
42' – 50' |
<=16' |
| 50' – 90' |
16' – 18' |
Rear/Center Mount
|
50' – 90' |
16' – 18' |
Customized CADs Still Available
Customized CADs will still be available for cranes that do not meet the above standard criteria, although there will be a $100 charge, and they will require at least seven business days’ lead time. As with the current process, three-day rush CAD requests will be accommodated for the rush CAD fee of $200.
Also, in line with other CCO operator programs, practical examiners will be required to complete a Crane Report prior to testing and submit it with the Site Report and completed score sheets. Test site coordinators and practical examiners are encouraged to review the crane report at least a day prior to testing, because if the crane does not fit or match the provided CAD, they cannot test using the standardized process.