All Lessons & Reference Pages
Every study session for the Massachusetts hoisting engineer exam, organized by license restriction class and module. Each lesson includes learning objectives, the specific regulations and standards it covers, and self-check quiz questions with full explanations. Everything is free and readable without an account.
Want a paced schedule instead of the full list? Generate a personalized week-by-week study plan for your class and available hours. New to the license system? Start with the licensing guide.
2A/1C — Excavating Machinery & Hydraulic Boom-Truck Hoisting
A combined credential authorizing operation of all crawler and rubber-tired excavators and backhoes under the 2A restriction, together with hydraulic telescoping-boom and articulating 'knuckle-boom' hoisting equipment (boom trucks and loader cranes that lift with the hydraulic boom alone, no wire-rope hoist line) under the 1C restriction.
12 lessons · 23 hours of study material
Massachusetts Licensing Law & the 2A/1C Combined Credential
Equipment Anatomy — Excavators (2A) and Hydraulic Boom Trucks (1C)
Safe Operation & Job-Site Hazards
1A — Hoisting apparatus w/ friction winch drum
Conventional and lattice-boom crawler and truck cranes with friction winch drums.
12 lessons · 24 hours of study material
Legal & Regulatory Foundation
Equipment Systems & Components
Safe Operation & Inspections
OSHA & Exam Review
1B — Telescoping-Boom Cranes (Wire Rope)
Authorizes operation of mobile cranes with a telescoping (hydraulic) boom that raises and lowers the load with a wire-rope hoist line over a hoist drum, including hydraulic truck cranes and rough-terrain cranes. This is the distinction from 1C, where the load is raised by hydraulics with no wire-rope hoist line.
12 lessons · 23.5 hours of study material
Massachusetts Licensing Law & the Machine
Setup, Stability & Safe Operation
Inspection — Wire Rope, Pre-Operation & Standards
Exam Review & Practice
1C — Hydraulic Telescoping & Articulating Boom Cranes
Authorizes operation of equipment with hydraulic telescoping booms and any other hydraulic equipment designed for hoisting, EXCLUDING machines that use wire-rope hoist lines. Typical machines are truck-mounted hydraulic telescoping boom trucks and articulating 'knuckle-boom' loader cranes where the hydraulic boom itself lifts the load.
12 lessons · 23 hours of study material
Massachusetts Licensing Law & the 1C Restriction
The Hydraulic Boom Crane & Its Components
Safe Operation, Load Charts & Job-Site Hazards
Inspection, Maintenance & Exam Preparation
1D — Industrial lift trucks
General industrial / warehouse lift trucks used primarily indoors — counterbalanced forklifts and reach trucks. (Variable-reach telescoping-boom telehandlers are hydraulic telescoping-boom equipment and fall under Class 1C, not 1D.)
10 lessons · 18 hours of study material
Legal & Regulatory Foundation
- Licensing Requirements2 hrs
- Renewal Procedures2 hrs
Equipment Systems
- Forklift Anatomy2 hrs
- Load Capacity & Stability1.5 hrs
- Hydraulics & Controls1.5 hrs
Safe Operation
- Daily Inspections2 hrs
- Safe Operating Practices1.5 hrs
- OSHA 1910.1781.5 hrs
Practice & Review
- Practice Exam 12 hrs
- Final Review2 hrs
2A — Excavating Machinery
Defined scope is all crawler and rubber-tired excavators, track hoes, and backhoes (with manufacturer-approved attachments). Because 2A sits at the top of the Class 2 hierarchy, it also authorizes the 2B, 2C, and 2D machines below it — including combination loader/backhoes, front-end loaders, and compact equipment such as skid steer loaders. The most common single-restriction license for site work and utility crews.
12 lessons · 20 hours of study material
Legal & Regulatory Foundation
Equipment Systems & Components
Safe Operation & Inspections
OSHA Compliance & Exam Review
2B — Backhoe Loaders (Loader/Backhoe Combination)
Authorizes operation of combination loader/backhoe machines (backhoe loaders, or tractor-loader-backhoes/TLBs) with manufacturer-approved attachments. As a nested Class 2 restriction it also authorizes the equipment under 2C and 2D.
10 lessons · 18.5 hours of study material
MA Licensing Law & the Backhoe Loader
Safe Operation of the Backhoe Loader
Excavation & Trench Safety
Inspection & Exam Preparation
2C — Front-End Loaders
Authorizes operation of wheel (rubber-tired) front-end loaders used to scoop, carry, load, and place loose material. As a Class 2C restriction it also covers Class 2D compact hoisting machinery (GVW 10,000 lb or less).
10 lessons · 19.5 hours of study material
Massachusetts Licensing Law & the Front-End Loader
Load Handling, Stability & Safe Operation
Inspection, Job-Site Communication & Federal Standards
Exam Preparation & Review
3A — Overhead, Gantry & Marine Hoists
Authorizes operation of overhead and gantry cranes, marine travel-lifts and boat hoists, jib cranes without load charts, and electric or air-driven tugger-type and chain/wire-rope hoists. It does NOT cover pile driving (4B) or derricks (1A).
12 lessons · 22 hours of study material
Legal Foundation & Licensing Law
Cranes, Hoists & Below-the-Hook Components
Safe Operation & Job-Site Hazards
Inspection, Maintenance & Exam Review
4G — Specialty Side-Boom Mowers
Authorizes operation of tractor- or carrier-mounted hydraulic side-boom mowers (flail or rotary cutting heads) used to cut vegetation along roadsides and rights-of-way. 4G is one of the three restrictions (with 1C and 2B) that make up the municipal-limited HEML license.
8 lessons · 15 hours of study material