Inducing a load that is to either side of the boom and not centered under it creates?

• A. A side load
• B. A front load
• C. A skew load
• D. A cantilever load

Answer: (A)

When a load isn’t centered under the boom, the force does not pass through the crane’s vertical axis and instead creates a sideways push on the crane. This lateral or side force is what you’re dealing with—a side load. It changes how the crane must be stabilized and controlled, and it’s the primary effect of an off-center load.

A front load would act along the boom’s forward axis, not to the side. A cantilever load refers to bending of a beam that's fixed at one end, which isn’t the same as the sideways force from an off-center load. Skew load isn’t a standard term used to describe this situation.