The #1 High School and University Resource for Manitoba Students
Mobile Crane Operator

Mobile crane operators operate mobile cranes to lift, move, position and place materials and equipment. They perform pre-operational inspections. They calculate crane capacities and determine load weight, set up and dismantle cranes and position and stabilize the crane before the lift. They may also participate in rigging procedures. They also perform some routine maintenance and housekeeping of the crane equipment such as lubricating and cleaning.

Mobile cranes are used in many industry sectors. They are very commonly used in the construction of buildings and the assembly of large equipment. They are used on construction sites, warehouses, factories, mines, oil rigs, refineries, railway yards, ships and ports. Mobile crane operators may be employed by rental companies, construction firms, manufacturers, public utilities, transport sector companies, ship builders, cargo-handlers, airports, railways and mines.

Cranes come in different types such as crawlers, truck-mounted, rough-terrain and all-terrain. The boom of the crane may be lattice or hydraulic. Some cranes are fitted with equipment that can perform specialized functions including piledriver, clamshell, dragline, wrecking ball, magnet, heavy lift attachments, tower attachments and luffing jibs.

Some mobile crane operators specialize in different crane functions. In some cases, an operator may work for years on a single large site, operating a single type and size of crane. Operators working for rental companies may rarely work on the same site more than once and may routinely perform a variety of tasks with different types and sizes of cranes.

The majority of the work in this trade is outdoors. Key attributes for people entering the trade are strong communication skills, mechanical aptitude, mathematical ability, excellent visual and depth perception and a high degree of hand-foot-eye coordination. The operation of some cranes is physically demanding as is the handling of accessories.

Mobile crane operators interact with other tradespeople, contractors and customers. The skills of mobile crane operators are transferable to operating other heavy equipment. With experience, operators may move into careers such as business owners, supervisors, trainers and job coordinators.

Recently Added Resources
  • How to Become a Chartered Accountant

    Education: You must have completed: 1. A university degree with specific business course credits 2. The professional program in your province or territory This level of education will provide you with the sound base of knowledge you will need to develop the skills and the values necessary to demonstrate competence.... More >

  • Apprenticeship Completion Grant

    The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a $2,000 taxable cash grant designed to encourage apprentices registered in a designated Red Seal trade to complete their apprenticeship program and receive their certification. Eligibility is retroactive to January 1, 2009. The completion grant will be offered to apprentices who complete their training,... More >

  • Apprenticeship Incentive Grant

    The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) is a taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year, up to a maximum of $2,000 per person, available to registered apprentices once they have successfully completed their first or second year/level (or equivalent) of an apprenticeship program in one of the Red Seal trades. Is... More >

  • Alberta Volunteer Centres

    Banff Volunteer Centre 302 Buffalo Street, Box 5148 Banff AB, T1L 1G3 Telephone: 403.762.4466 Fax: 403.762.4463 info@volunteerbanff.ab.ca www.volunteerbanff.ab.ca Volunteer Calgary Suite 1170, Kahanoff Centre 1202 Centre St SE Calgary, AB T2G 5A5 Telephone: 403.265.5633 Fax: 403.265.8981 info@volunteercalgary.ab.ca www.volunteercalgary.ab.ca Volunteer Centre of Camrose and District 3, 4516 รข?? 54 Street Camrose,... More >

  • Volunteer Centres in Yukon

    Yukon Volunteer Bureau P.O. Box 31107 3123 3rd Avenue Whitehorse, Y1A 5P7 tel: 867-456-4304 fax: 867-456-4302 www.volunteerbureau.yk.ca info@volunteerbureau.yk.ca More >

  • What is a Volunteer Centre?

    Volunteer Centres are non-profit organizations or groups dedicated to fostering and developing volunteerism in the community as a whole. While other organizations contribute to sustaining our national heritage of volunteering through their programs and outreach, Volunteer Centres serve the broadest membership: including volunteers and organizations/volunteer-involving organizations. Volunteer Centres reach across... More >

  • Atlantic Canada Volunteer Centres

    Miramichi Volunteer Services Inc. 65 Henry Street Miramichi, E1V 1N4 Tel: 506-622-6565 Fax: 506-622-2933 mvsi@nb.aibn.com Centre de benevolat de la peninsule acadienne 220, boul St Pierre Ouest, suite 100 Caraquet, E1W 1A5 Tel: 506-727-1860 Fax: 506-727-1862 centbene@nbnet.nb.ca Volunteer Centre of Southeastern New Brunswick Inc. 236 St. George Street, Suite 315... More >

  • Ironworker (Generalist)

    Ironworkers (generalists) work with both structural/ornamental and reinforcing steel materials. They install structural/ornamental steel components, precast concrete members and glued laminated timber products (glulam) and place reinforcing steel in commercial, industrial, institutional and large residential buildings, towers, bridges and stadiums. They erect pre-engineered buildings and ornamental ironwork such as curtain... More >