The wheels of the crane should be lifted off the ground with a preferred clearance of how many inches?

• A. 1
• B. 3
• C. 4
• D. 2

Answer: (D)

When setting up the crane, you want the wheels to be off the ground so the load is carried by the outriggers, not by the tires. A small clearance around two inches gives enough separation to prevent tire contact on minor surface irregularities while ensuring the crane is properly supported and stable on the outriggers. If clearance is less than that, tires can scuff or bear weight; if it's more, the setup may indicate the crane isn’t properly perched on its outriggers or the ground isn’t suitable. So, two inches is the recommended clearance.