Boom
The primary structural member of a crane that extends outward and upward to position the hook over the load.
In Detail
The boom is the main lifting arm of a crane, extending from the crane's superstructure outward and upward to position the hook over the load to be lifted. Booms come in two main types: telescopic (hydraulic cylinders extend nested sections) used on mobile cranes, and lattice (assembled from individual sections using pins) used on larger crawler and mobile cranes. Boom inspection includes checking for structural cracks, bent or buckled members, pin connections, hydraulic cylinder condition, and lattice section alignment. Boom length directly affects the crane's rated capacity — longer boom lengths significantly reduce lifting capacity.
Related Terms
Load Chart
A manufacturer-provided chart showing the maximum safe lifting capacities at various boom lengths and radii.
Lattice Boom
A crane boom constructed from individual steel sections connected with pins, offering high strength-to-weight ratio for heavy lifts.
Structural Inspection
Detailed examination of a crane's structural members for cracks, corrosion, deformation, and weld integrity.