Standard H and Signals for Controlling Mobile Crane Operations

HOIST

With upper arm extended to the side, forearm and index finger pointing straight up, hand and finger make small circles.

With arm and index finger pointing down, hand and finger make small circles.

USE MAIN HOIST

A hand taps on top of the head. Then regular signal is given to indicate desired action.

USE WHIPLINE

(Auxiliary Hoist)

BOOM UP

With arm extended horizontally to the side, thumb points up with other fingers closed.

With arm bent at elbow and forearm vertical, elbow is tapped with other hand. Then regular signal is used to indicate desired action.

BOOM DOWN

With arm extended horizontally to the side, thumb points down with other fingers closed.

MOVE SLOWLY

A hand is placed in front of the hand that is giving the action signal. (Hoist slowly shown in example.)

SWING

With arm extended horizontally, index finger points in direction that boom is to swing.

BOOM DOWN AND RAISE THE LOAD

With arm extended horizontally to the side and thumb pointing down, fingers open and close while load movement is desired.

With arm extended horizontally to the side and thumb pointing up, fingers open and close while load movement is desired.

BOOM UP AND LOWER THE LOAD

STOP

With arm extended horizontally to the side, palm down, arm is swung back and forth.

EMERGENCY STOP

With both arms extended horizontally to the side, palms down, arms are swung back and forth.

TRAVEL (BOTH TRACKS) TRAVEL (ONE TRACK)

TRAVEL

With all fingers pointing up, arm is extended horizontally out and back to make a pushing motion in the direction of travel.

DOG EVERYTHING

Hands held together at waist level.

TRAVEL (BOTH TRACKS)

Rotate fists around each other in front of body; direction of rotation towards body indicates travel forward; rotation away from body indicates travel backward. (For crawler cranes only)

TRAVEL (ONE TRACK)

Indicate track to be locked by raising fist on that side. Rotate other fist in front of body in direction that other track is to travel. (For crawler cranes only)

TELESCOPE OUT (TELESCOPING BOOMS)

With hands to the front at waist level, thumbs point outward with other fingers closed.

TELESCOPE IN (TELESCOPING BOOMS)

With hands to the front at waist level, thumbs point at each other with other fingers closed.

TELESCOPE OUT (TELESCOPING BOOMS)

One hand signal. One fist in front of chest with thumb tapping chest.

TELESCOPE IN (TELESCOPING BOOMS)

One hand signal. One fist in front of chest, thumb pointing outward and heel of fist tapping chest.