What You'll Do

  • Determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.
  • Move levers, depress foot pedals, or turn dials to operate cranes, cherry pickers, electromagnets, or other moving equipment for lifting, moving, or placing loads.
  • Inspect cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed.
  • Clean, lubricate, and maintain mechanisms such as cables, pulleys, or grappling devices, making repairs, as necessary.
  • Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.
  • Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking or outrigging under cranes.
  • Load or unload bundles from trucks, or move containers to storage bins, using moving equipment.
  • Weigh bundles, using floor scales, and record weights for company records.
  • Review daily work or delivery schedules to determine orders, sequences of deliveries, or special loading instructions.
  • Direct truck drivers backing vehicles into loading bays and cover, uncover, or secure loads for delivery.

Essential Skills

Operation and Control 3.88/5
Operations Monitoring 3.75/5
Critical Thinking 3.25/5
Active Listening 3.12/5
Monitoring 3.12/5
Reading Comprehension 3.0/5
Speaking 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0/5
Time Management 3.0/5
Active Learning 2.88/5
Complex Problem Solving 2.88/5
Equipment Maintenance 2.88/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Dependability, Attention to Detail, Self-Control, Cooperation, Stress Tolerance

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Control Precision 4.12/5
Multilimb Coordination 4.0/5
Far Vision 3.88/5
Depth Perception 3.88/5
Rate Control 3.75/5
Reaction Time 3.75/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.62/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.62/5

Technologies & Tools

Crane operation control software Inventory tracking software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Windows

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.26/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.07/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 4.0/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 3.85/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 3.76/5)

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How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Acid Crane Operator Boom Cat Operator Boom Crane Operator Boomswing Operator Bottom Crane Operator Bridge Crane Operator Burial Vault Deliverer and Installer Cantilever Crane Operator Cathead Operator Cell Tower Technician (Cell Tower Tech) Certified Crane Operator Charging Crane Operator Cherry Picker Operator Cinder Dump Crane Operator Cinder Pit Crane Operator Clamshell Operator Coal Tower Operator Coke Crane Operator Crane Driver Crane Ladle Person Crane Operator Demolition Crane Operator Derrick Boat Lever Operator Derrick Boat Leverman Derrick Boat Operator Derrick Operator Derrickman Diesel Crane Operator Dross Skimmer Electric Crane Operator Equipment Operator Erecting Crane Operator Gantry Crane Operator Heavy Equipment Operator Hydrocrane Operator Ingot Stripper Ladle Crane Operator Locomotive Crane Operator Machine Operator Mill Crane Operator Mixer Crane Operator Mobile Crane Operator Mold Shaker Mold Shifter Mold Washer Mold Yard Crane Operator Monorail Charger Operator Monorail Crane Operator Monorail Operator Ore Bridge Operator Overhead Crane Operator Overhead Crane Truck Loader Picker Operator Pig Machine Crane Operator Pit Crane Operator Port Crane Operator Pouring Crane Operator Power Crane Operator Radio Control Crane Operator Scrap Crane Operator Scrap Drop Crane Operator Scrap Drop Operator Sorting Grapple Operator Steam Crane Operator Steel Crane Operator Stripper Tower Climber Technician (Tower Climber Tech) Tower Crane Operator Tower Loader Operator Tower Technician Tractor Crane Operator Truck Crane Operator Truck-Crane Operator Whirley Operator Winchman Woodyard Crane Operator Wrecking Crane Engine Operator Yard Crane Operator