What steps should be taken to ensure the ground beneath outriggers is capable of supporting the crane?

• A. Place on any surface and hope for the best.
• B. Only check the surface after the lift.
• C. Assess soil bearing capacity, use cribbing or mats if necessary, and prevent ground settlement by using level underfoot and ensuring even load on outriggers.
• D. Ignore uneven ground if the load is light.

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that outriggers must rest on ground that can safely support the crane’s load. Before any lift, you need to verify the ground’s bearing capacity and make sure the support area is prepared to prevent settling or shifting. Practically, this means checking the soil or surface where each outrigger will sit, using cribbing or crane mats if the surface isn’t naturally strong or flat, and ensuring the load is spread evenly across all outriggers by leveling the setup. When the underfoot is level and the load is distributed, the risk of ground settlement or tipping is greatly reduced, helping keep the lift safe.

Skipping the bearing capacity check, lifting on a surface after the fact, or ignoring uneven ground—even for a light load—can lead to sudden instability, sinking, or tipping.