Pre-Operational Inspection, Setup and Stability
Inspection before every shift
A pre-start inspection covers the crane structure (cracks, corrosion, deformation), hydraulics (leaks, hose condition, cylinder condition), wire rope (broken wires, kinks, corrosion, end fittings), hooks (latch, throat opening, wear), brakes, steering, tyres, warning devices, and safety decals. The inspection is recorded, and defects are classified: minor (monitor and record), major (repair before use), or critical (remove from service immediately).
Setup and stability
Setup is where most stability failures begin. Outriggers must be fully deployed on properly rated pads or mats, on ground verified for bearing capacity, clear of excavations and services. The crane must be level - check with the machine's level indicator, not by eye. The outrigger beams must be locked, and the pads must be sized so the pressure does not exceed the ground's capacity. On tyres, tyre pressure and condition directly affect stability; a soft tyre changes the effective radius and can overload the structure.
Traps
Questions often test whether you know that outrigger pads spread load, that the ground beneath the pad (not the pad itself) is the weak link, and that a level crane is a setup requirement, not a preference. Another trap is assuming the inspection is a one-off; it must be repeated after any incident, modification, or long period out of service.
Worked example
If a pad sinks during setup, the correct action is to stop, raise the outrigger, improve the ground (larger pad, compacted base, steel plate), re-level, and re-check - not to add a second pad under a loaded leg.