Zoomlion RT35 2013 Operators Manual – Factory Specs for Rough Terrain Crane

If you’re running a Zoomlion RT35 2013 Operators Manual crane on a job site without the factory operation book, you’re playing a dangerous game. I’ve seen operators guess on joystick functions, skip the warm-up sequence, or ignore the free-swing lockout. That’s how booms drift, ropes get fouled, and people get hurt. This 172-page operators manual from Zoomlion Heavy Industry is the only document that tells you exactly how the RT35 rough terrain crane is supposed to be handled. No aftermarket reprint, no condensed PDF – it’s the same binder the factory puts in the cab.

Swing / Aux. Winch Control: Joystick Operations

Page 1 of the manual breaks down the swing and auxiliary winch joystick. Move the joystick forward to reel off the aux. winch rope, backward to spool up. Left swings the boom left, right swings it right. The horn and free-swing buttons are placed on the joystick itself – not somewhere you have to hunt for. That matters when you’re positioning a load in tight quarters. The manual also covers the boom extend/retract pedal, which a lot of operators confuse with the brake. You get the factory sequence, not a guess.

Steering Wheel and Combination Switches – Layout Basics

The RT35 uses a hydraulic booster system for steering. You can adjust the wheel height and angle using a pedal at the base – that’s detailed in the manual. The combination switches section is where most operators get tripped up. The gear selector: pull toward the operator for forward, push toward the dash for reverse, turn the handle to set speed. The hazard lights switch, corner marker lights, low beam switch, and wiper control (4-speed with intermittent) are all explained. The manual explicitly states that the parking brake indicator and turn signal indicator are not used on this model – that kind of detail keeps a rookie from chasing a dead bulb.

Boom Hoist / Main Winch Control – What the Manual Includes

Main winch joystick operation mirrors the aux winch but with different control assignments. Move forward to reel off, backward to spool up, left to lift the boom, right to lower it. The horn is on the left side of this joystick, free-swing button on the right. The manual also includes a section on the manual video control system: after power-on, turn on the camera display switch, and the display shows vision after 5 seconds. The V1/V2 button switches between cameras, L/R flips the image, and the MENU button adjusts brightness, contrast, and color. That’s not common in operator manuals – it’s included because the RT35 ships with an optional camera system.

Hazard Indicators: Why the Manual’s Safety Warnings Matter

The manual uses DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION, ATTENTION, NOTE, and IMPORTANT labels before every critical step. Page 5 of the manual defines each: DANGER means death or injury if not prevented, WARNING means possible death or injury, CAUTION means light or moderate injury, ATTENTION covers equipment damage, and NOTE/IMPORTANT give tips or emphasize data. I’ve seen operators skip the ATTENTION callouts and crack hydraulic fittings because the lock pin wasn’t seated. This manual puts those warnings right where they belong – next to the procedure.

172 Pages of Factory Operation Data

172 pages may sound like a lot for an operator’s manual, but the RT35 packes a lot of systems. The bubble level procedure, hand throttle activation, ignition switch positions (4 positions), and throttle pedal response are all covered. The hand/foot throttle select switch is explained – you need to activate it before the hand throttle works. The manual states exactly which components respond to engine RPM changes. No generic instructions – it’s specific to the Zoomlion RT35 2013 model year. Need to check the transmission? The gear selector details are pulled straight from the OEM engineering docs.

Does This Manual Cover the Camera System?

Yes. The RT35 operators manual includes a dedicated section for the video control system. It lists the power control button, V1/V2 switch, L/R image flip, MENU button for brightness/contrast/color, and the up/down adjustment buttons. That’s rare for an operator manual – most only cover basic controls. Zoomlion included it because the camera is part of the standard operation package on later models. If your crane has the camera, you need this manual to understand the menu navigation.

OEM Documentation vs Aftermarket Reprints

I’ve worked with aftermarket manuals that claim to cover the RT35. They skip the free-swing lockout sequence, they guess at the joystick assignments, and they never include the camera menu. This is a direct scan of the factory-issued operator’s manual from Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Co., Ltd., Edition 1, Dec. 2013. The copyright page is intact. The hazard indicator reference on page 5 is the original text. If you’re a shop owner or operator who needs to train a new guy, this is the only document you should put in the cab. The OEM manual explicitly states: “The operator must keep this manual in the cab of the crane.” That’s the law in most jurisdictions – don’t risk a citation or a liability case with a knockoff.

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For general background on crane transmissions, see Manual Transmission systems, which share some design principles with the RT35’s gear selector layout.

Does this manual cover maintenance schedules?

No. It focuses on safe daily operation, not scheduled maintenance. It includes pre-operation checks and component functions, but no oil change intervals or filter replacement procedures.

What torque values are listed?

This is an operators manual, not a service repair manual. It does not contain torque specifications for bolts or fasteners. You need the service repair manual for that. However, the operators manual does cover torque-related warnings for chain and cable adjustments in some sections.

Can I use this for the RT35 boom extension?

Yes. The boom extend/retract pedal is described in the operators manual, along with the correct sequence to avoid over-extending the sections. The warning callouts for slope and load limits are also included.

Is this the same as the OEM paper manual that came with the crane?

It is a digital reproduction of the exact factory-printed operators manual, Edition 1, Dec. 2013. The content is identical, including the hazard indicator labels, joystick diagrams, and camera menu. No aftermarket edits or omissions. The copyright page is included, and the manual explicitly states it must stay in the cab. If your paper manual is missing or damaged, this is the only authorized alternative.

Don’t run a 30-ton crane blind. If you’ve got an RT35 on your lot or in your rental fleet, you need the factory procedures. Download the Factory Manual now and put it in the cab. That 172-page PDF is cheaper than one hour of downtime from a misoperation.