How Often Should Mobile Cranes Be Inspected?

30 May 2022

Mobile cranes have been designed to cater to projects with small access areas. With their hydraulics, mobile cranes can perform almost similar to their bigger counterparts. Their compact form factor then provides them with the capability to move around project sites and fit into confined areas.

Like tower cranes, mobile cranes can last for a long time, especially if they have been designed and produced by reputable crane manufacturers. Crane inspections, however, are necessary to ensure that they do not break down and fail prematurely.

The Essence of Mobile Crane Inspection

The working hours of mobile cranes can be long and rigorous. As they operate, some components may gradually wear and deteriorate, especially if they have not been checked and maintained appropriately. Crane inspection aims to detect any wear, deterioration, and other issues before the inspectors can provide the best ways to resolve or prevent them.

Regular inspections are also necessary for mobile cranes since they are required by governing bodies such as Occupational Health Services Australia and Safe Work Australia. Without conducting these inspections, the cranes may end up breaking down entirely. They may also put site workers at risk.

Main Types of Mobile Cranes Inspection

The frequency of inspection that must be done with mobile cranes would depend on their usage. To date, inspectors can conduct four types of inspections on mobile cranes.

1. Initial Inspection: This type of inspection intends to inspect mobile cranes after their first assembly or installation. It can also be done when the mobile cranes have been transported to the site after altering, modifying, or repairing them.
2. Functional Test Inspection: Functional test inspection, alternatively, should be conducted before utilising the crane for site operations. When conducting this type of inspection, the inspectors should check for any signs of leakage in lines, tanks, valves, and other hydraulic system parts. They must also assess the condition of the hoist chains, hooks, and other functional operating mechanisms. Any signs of wear, maladjustment, and others must be addressed right away.
3. Frequent Inspection: Frequent inspection includes all aspects of functional test inspection. However, it also involves the assessment of operating mechanisms. Some mechanisms that must be checked are the hoist brake, wire rope, and load chain. Mobile cranes that operate under normal service must be inspected monthly. Those that operate in heavy service, alternatively, must be checked weekly to monthly. Cranes, ultimately, that work in severe service must be checked daily to weekly.
4. Periodic Inspection: This type of inspection can be done depending on the usage of the mobile cranes. So, cranes utilised for normal and heavy service must be checked yearly. Those that operate in severe service must be inspected quarterly. Periodic inspection of mobile cranes covers the identification of deformed, cracked, or corroded components, loose bolts or rivets, worn pins, bearings, shafts, gears, rollers, clamping devices, and excessive wear on brake system parts, linings, pawls, chain-drive sprockets.

To know more about mobile crane inspections, you must call us at Sharp Welding and Crane Hire.