Gross capacity on a load chart refers to the amount of weight a crane can lift before deductions are subtracted.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. The net load after deductions
• D. The weight of the crane

Answer: (A)

Gross capacity is the maximum weight the crane can lift in a given configuration before any deductions are applied. In other words, it’s the load rating shown on the chart without subtracting the weight of rigging, blocks, hooks, or other lifting accessories. To determine what you can actually lift, you subtract the weight of the lifting gear from this gross value to get the net capacity. The crane’s own weight isn’t the capacity itself; it’s a factor that affects how the chart is read, but the gross capacity remains the weight before deductions. For example, if the gross capacity is 20 tons and your rigging weighs 3 tons, the net lift you can actually use is 17 tons.