What the premium tower course adds
This program is approved by the Texas Workforce Commission under the name Premium Tower Crane Operations 48 Course. It is tower crane training in our Seagoville yard for students who travel in. The hour count is being confirmed and is not stated on this page. On top of the training you get:
- Room and board as an option. Stay near the facility, or arrange your own lodging.
- Premium extra offerings. Ask admissions what is currently included.
- Crane simulator time, part of every premium program.
- Enrollment help covering admission, funding and VA enrollment certification.
Tuition is $6,000. The separate Tower Crane Operations 40 Hours course is $5,500. If you live within driving distance of Seagoville, or already have somewhere to stay, ask which approved course fits before you enroll.
Who it is for
Premium tower students are travelling to Seagoville for tower crane training. Some are new to tower cranes; others already run mobile cranes and want to add tower crane skills. The course starts with the fundamentals, so prior tower time is not required.
Tower cranes do most of the lifting on high-rise and commercial building projects, so this is the course for people aiming at that work. Veterans should ask too: Miller Crane Works is approved for GI Bill® benefits, and we can tell you whether your benefits apply to this course.
If you already operate tower cranes and want a shorter exam tune-up, the Tower Crane Operations 20 Hours course may fit better. It has no premium version, and you would arrange your own stay.
Tower topics in the course
A tower crane operator often works blind, relying on signals, radio and a firm grasp of the load chart. You learn how jib length, trolley position and wind affect every lift, then practice blind-lift communication and precise load control from the cab.
- Tower crane types, components and safety devices
- Tower load charts and capacity at each trolley radius
- Wind, weather and site conditions, including wind limits
- Pre-operational inspection and daily checks
- Blind lifts using hand signals and radio
- Hoist, trolley and slewing control for precise load handling
- Out-of-service procedures and a safe shutdown
Expect the classroom to come first, so that by the time you climb into the cab you already know how to find capacity at the radius you are working and what the wind reading means for the lift. Seat time then builds from basic hoist, trolley and slew movements toward the exam tasks.
The rules behind the work come from OSHA's construction crane standard (29 CFR 1926 Subpart CC) and ASME B30.3 for tower cranes.
Preparing for NCCCO tower certification
The course prepares you for the NCCCO Tower Crane Operator certification (TWR): one tower written exam and one practical exam, taken on the tower crane in our yard. The practical has five examiner-scored tasks: describing an inspection of five crane items, landing the hook and chain in a stop circle, moving the test weight to a load circle and back, running a zigzag corridor in both directions, and explaining how you would secure the crane. Two-blocking, hitting the crane with the test weight and ignoring a stop signal are disqualifying. The tower practical exam page has full details.
Both exams must be passed within 12 months. NCCCO candidates must be at least 18, meet its physical requirements and follow its substance abuse policy. NCCCO, not the school, issues the certification.
Steps to enroll from out of town
- Call us with your experience and where you are travelling from. We confirm the course fits and explain the extras and lodging.
- Admission and funding. We review the school's admission requirements with you. Veterans send their Certificate of Eligibility and we certify the enrollment with VA; Chapter 31 and 33 students are protected by our VA compliance policy while payment is pending. Workforce funding, employer sponsorship and self-pay are covered on the funding page.
- Say yes or no to room and board.
- Plan your travel. The nearest airports are Dallas Love Field and DFW; most students drive or rent a car to reach class.
Bring boots, layers, a photo ID and a calculator. See the admission page, the premium courses overview and our grievance policy.