Cranes are common handling devices used in construction, assembly and engineering plants. Bridge cranes with a suspended crane trolley (electric or manual operated hoist) are used in almost all engineering and service operations. The trouble-free operation of these devices depends on many factors; one of the parameters influencing the operation of crane trolleys (crane trucks) and crane bridges is adhesion. The presented paper describes the theoretical assumptions, experimental determination and verification of the coefficient of adhesion on the limit of slippage at starting of the manual crane trolley.