What do I need to operate a VLC? And what is this 10 meter tonne all about?
It can be a bit confusing when trying to figure out which High Risk Licence you need to operate your vehicle loading crane (often called Hiab or crane truck) and that’s because there are a few licences you can use and sometimes you don’t even need one, however when this is the case you do still need training. This is where 10 meter tonnes comes into play. If the maximum lifting capacity of the crane is below 10 metre tonne you’re required to hold duty of care training such as a statement of attainment for RIIHAN307D – operate a vehicle loading crane. If the crane can lift over 10metre tonnes it is a legal requirement to hold a High Risk Licence. We will come back to which one shortly.
So, what is Metre Tonnes?
Metre tonnes refers to the lifting capacity of the crane, not the truck. To work out the metre tonne of your crane, you must do a simple calculation by multiplying the boom reach in metres by the lifting capacity in either kilograms or tonnes. So looking at the load chart below, starting at the lowest boom reach, we are going to work out the meter tonnes at each configuration:- 5580kg x 2.15m = 11.997 m/t
- 2845kg x 4.3m = 12.233 m/t
- 1970kg x 6.1m = 12.017 m/t
- 1490kg x 8.0m = 11.920 m/t
So, which High Risk Work licence?
The High Risk Work licence needed to operate a Vehicle Loading Crane over 10 metre tonnes is the CV. However when it comes to mobile crane licencing, a higher class of licence will incorporate other classes. Refer to the list below.- (C0) – Over 100t (incorporates C1, C6, C2, CN, CV)
- (C1) – Up to 100t (incorporates C6, C2, CN, CV)
- (C6) – Up to 60t (incorporates C2, CN, CV)
- (C2) – Up to 20t (incorporates CN, CV)
- (CV) – Vehicle Loading Crane (CV only)
- (CN) – Non slewing crane (CN only)