Mobile Crane Operation Manual per GB/T 17909.2-2010
GB/T 17909.2-2010, "Cranes — Operation Manual — Part 2: Mobile Cranes," is the dedicated standard for preparing mobile crane operation manuals. It specifies the content scope, organizational structure, and drafting rules for operation manuals covering truck cranes, crawler cranes, all-terrain cranes, and other mobile crane types. It is identical to ISO 9928-2:2007 (IDT). A well-structured operation manual is the first line of defense in ensuring safe crane use.
GB/T 17909.2-2010 is Part 2 of the crane operation manual standard series, specifically governing the content, format, and requirements for mobile crane operation manuals. A compliant manual is a critical technical document for the safe operation of mobile cranes. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the standard's drafting requirements.
Standard Positioning and Manual Compilation Principles
GB/T 17909.2-2010, identical to ISO 9928-2:2007 (IDT), is a specialized standard for drafting mobile crane operation manuals, built upon the general principles of GB/T 17909.1. It applies to the preparation of operation manuals for all types of mobile cranes, aiming to standardize the content framework and technical language. This ensures that manuals from different manufacturers and for different models share a consistent information structure, enabling operators to quickly locate critical data. Manual compilation must adhere to four core principles: accuracy, completeness, clarity, and operability. All technical parameters and operational procedures must be validated through practical testing.
Core Content Structure of the Manual
The standard specifies that a mobile crane operation manual must include the following sections (in the recommended order):
Section 1: General Information — Complete product model identification, manufacturer details, equipment serial number, and date of manufacture; the crane's scope of application and operating limitations; manual version number and revision history.
Section 2: Technical Parameters — Rated lifting capacity charts and working range diagrams (covering all outrigger configurations and telescopic boom combinations); main structural dimensions and weights; engine/electric motor specifications; hydraulic system parameters (system pressure, hydraulic pump flow, oil tank capacity); tire specifications and ground bearing pressure; travel parameters (travel speed, gradeability, turning radius).
Section 3: Transport and Installation — Transport dimensions and weights; transport securing requirements; on-site assembly and commissioning procedures; boom extension and retraction operating procedures.
Section 4: Operating Instructions — Pre-operation safety inspection checklist; start-up and preheating procedures; travel operating procedures; lifting operation procedures (hoisting, slewing, luffing, telescoping); outrigger operating procedures; emergency operation procedures (procedures for engine failure, hydraulic system failure, etc.).
Section 5: Safety Devices — Operating instructions and alarm meanings for the load moment limiter (LML); functions and test methods for each limit switch (hoisting height limiter, working radius limiter, slewing limit); setpoints for the anemometer and inclination alarm; location and use of the Emergency Stop Button.
Section 6: Maintenance — Daily inspection items (pre-shift inspection); periodic maintenance schedule and tasks (based on engine operating hours or calendar intervals); lubrication chart and lubricant specifications; replacement intervals and capacities for hydraulic oil, engine oil, and coolant.
Section 7: Troubleshooting — A comparison table of common faults, probable causes, and troubleshooting methods. Section 8: Transport and Storage — Crane transport requirements and long-term storage conditions. Section 9: Scrapping and Disposal — Discard criteria for main structural components.
Outrigger / Boom / Slewing angle
Curve chart
Setpoints and testing
Lubrication chart
Comparison table
Bilingual (CN/EN)
Requirements for Preparing the Rated Lifting Capacity Chart
The standard provides detailed rules for the most critical element of the manual — the rated lifting capacity chart. The chart must list rated capacities for every combination of fully extended outriggers, partially extended outriggers, various telescopic boom lengths, different working radii, and different slewing angles. The table format must use a "radius — lifting capacity" correspondence, with the radius column as the first column (increments of 0.5 m or 1 m from minimum to maximum radius), and different boom lengths and outrigger configurations listed in separate columns. The chart's valid range must cover from the minimum radius to the rated maximum radius. The chart must include a note stating "Values in this table include the weight of the hook and lifting spreader" or otherwise specify how hook weight is deducted. The chart must account for ground bearing pressure limitations of the outriggers (e.g., derating when ground bearing capacity is insufficient). The load capacity chart must be presented on a dedicated page, with legible text and a minimum size of A4.
Working Range Diagram
The working range diagram must graphically illustrate the lifting height envelope of the mobile crane at various boom lengths and working radii. The diagram must indicate: the crane's slewing center position, radius-height relationship curves for each boom length, rated lifting capacities marked at corresponding points on the curves, outrigger positions and ground contact areas, and the working range after installation of the jib (if applicable). The scale of the diagram must be clearly indicated — an unclear scale is more dangerous than no scale at all. An example should be provided in the manual's appendix to demonstrate how to read the working range diagram.
Key Points for Safe Operating Instructions
The operation manual places particular emphasis on the following safe operation points: never overload the crane (the values in the load capacity chart represent the rated load capacity limits, not recommended working loads); outriggers must be fully extended and set on firm, level ground before lifting; the wind speed during operation must not exceed the specified limit (generally ≤7 on the Beaufort scale, subject to the manufacturer's specifications); no one is permitted to stand beneath the boom; avoid sudden starts or emergency stops during hoisting operations; lifting on slopes is prohibited (if the levelness of the entire machine exceeds 1%, adjustments must be made before proceeding); during rotation, keep a close watch on the clearance between the boom and any obstacles; and if any abnormal noise, vibration, or tilt is detected, stop the operation immediately and investigate the cause. The operation manual delivered with every Kelude crane is compiled strictly in accordance with this standard, available in both Chinese and English, and includes a complete load capacity chart and working range diagram.
Mobile Crane Operation Manual: Parameter Comparison Table
The comparison table below outlines the core parameter configuration for mobile crane operation manuals, serving as a reference for equipment selection and operational use.
| Documentation Item | content requirements | Applicable Crane Models | Documentation Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Parameters | Lifting Capacity/Working radius/Mainjib length Degree | Truck-Mounted/Crawler/Rough Terrain Crane | Including Load Chart |
| operating instructions | Eachmechanism Operating Procedures | Model-Specific Instructions | Includingsafety precautions |
| maintenance | Daily/Monthly/Annual Maintenance | Listed by Crane Model | Including Maintenance Schedule |
| safety regulations | Prohibited Operating Conditions/emergency plan | Common to All Models | Including Load Safety Instructions |
