Mobile Crane Inspection and Load Testing to ASME B30.5 and EN 13000

A mobile crane is inspected as a machine and as a structure at the same time. The carrier, the outriggers and the boom each fail in different ways, and a crane that is mechanically sound can still be unsafe because its stability system has drifted out of calibration. itmad inspects all-terrain, rough-terrain and truck-mounted cranes, crawler and lattice boom cranes, and lorry loaders, at the client's site or yard. itmad operates across the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Last reviewed: October 2026.

Boom and structure

Telescopic boom sections are examined for distortion, dents, weld cracking and wear at the slide pads, and extension and retraction under load is observed for sequencing faults and rope or cylinder wear. On lattice sections and jib assemblies, bent or repaired lacings are grounds for rejection and not for repair. The inspector also checks pins, pin retention and lugs at every connection point, boom head sheaves, guards and rope retention, and the stowage and locking of the fly jib and extensions.

Slew, superstructure and carrier

The slewing ring is checked for bolt torque and for tilt or rock, which is the standard indicator of bearing wear, and slew drive, brake and lock function are tested. Counterweight condition, correct mass and secure attachment are verified. The chassis and frame are examined for cracking around the outrigger boxes and boom foot mountings, wheeled machines are checked for tyres, axles, steering and service brakes, and crawler cranes for tracks, rollers, idlers and track tension.

Outriggers and stability

Outriggers are examined for beam and jack condition, cylinder drift under sustained load, pad security and locking, and the correct operation of the extension position sensing on which the load chart depends. Level indication is verified. Where a crane is rated at several outrigger positions, the machine's response to each configuration is checked, because a crane that reports full extension when partially deployed will permit a lift that the chart does not allow.

Load moment indication and safety devices

The load moment indicator is checked against known loads and radii and not merely powered up and observed. Anti-two-block, hoist limits, boom angle and length sensing and the audible and visual warnings are function tested, and where the indicator can be overridden, the override key control and its logging are examined. The inspector verifies that the load chart in the cab is the correct one for the machine, boom configuration and counterweight fitted: a mismatch is common and is more dangerous than most mechanical defects.

Hoist, rope and hook

Wire rope is assessed against ISO 4309 discard criteria for broken wires, corrosion, deformation, diameter reduction and core condition, and rope terminations, wedge sockets and dead-end anchoring are examined. Drum condition, spooling, minimum dead turns and grooving wear are checked, and hoist and load holding brakes are tested for holding capability. Hooks are examined for throat opening, twist, wear and cracking, with magnetic particle inspection where the condition or the standard requires it, and the safety latch and swivel are checked.

Hydraulics, controls and cab

Cylinders, hoses and fittings are checked for leakage, chafing and creep under a held load, together with relief valve settings and holding valve function. Control response, the deadman and the emergency stop are tested. The cab structure, glazing, seat, mirrors and camera systems are examined, as are access, walkways, handrails and fall protection anchorage on the superstructure, and the rated capacity markings must be legible and correct.

Lorry loaders and loader cranes

A vehicle-mounted loader crane is inspected as an assembly with the vehicle, since the stability of the installation depends on the chassis, the subframe and the mounting as much as on the crane. Subframe attachment, stabiliser deployment and the interaction between crane operation and the vehicle handbrake and PTO interlocks are examined, and remote control units and their emergency stops are function tested.

Standards

Inspection is performed to the standard that the contract or governing authority specifies. For mobile cranes that is normally ASME B30.5, with ASME B30.22 for articulating boom cranes, EN 13000 where the machine is CE marked, ISO 9927-1 for crane inspection and ISO 4309 for wire rope. BS 7121 Part 2 applies where the client works to British practice, and the manufacturer's inspection and maintenance requirements are applied alongside the standard, because they govern component-specific checks that the standard does not detail.

When inspection is required

Inspection is required periodically, at the interval that the governing authority sets; on arrival at a new site, before the crane is released for work; after transport, reassembly or a change of boom configuration; after structural repair, weld repair or replacement of a load-bearing component; after an overload, contact with a structure or an incident of any kind; before hire out or acceptance of a hired machine; and as part of the pre-purchase assessment of a used crane.

Load testing

Proof load testing is carried out where the standard, the authority or the circumstances require it, on new machines, after structural repair, after reconfiguration and at specified intervals. Test loads are applied at the radii and in the configurations that matter for the machine's duty, using calibrated weights or water bag systems with load cell measurement, with deflection recorded and the structure re-examined afterwards.

What the client receives

An inspection certificate in the format that the governing authority requires, and a report that identifies the crane by make, model, serial number and capacity. Findings are recorded component by component with photographic evidence, defects are classified by severity, and load test results record the applied load, radius, configuration and post-test condition. The report confirms that the load chart in the cab matches the machine configuration, the crane is tagged on site, and the equipment register is updated with due date notification where itmad holds it.

Frequently asked questions

What mobile cranes does itmad inspect?

All-terrain, rough-terrain and truck-mounted cranes, crawler and lattice boom cranes, and lorry loaders, at the client's site or yard. Each is inspected as a machine and as a structure.

Why is the load chart in the cab checked?

A load chart that does not match the machine, boom configuration and counterweight fitted is a common and serious defect, more dangerous than most mechanical faults. itmad verifies that the chart is the correct one.

How is the load moment indicator tested?

It is checked against known loads and radii and not merely powered up and observed. Anti-two-block, hoist limits, boom angle and length sensing and the warnings are function tested, and any override key control is examined.

What do outrigger checks cover?

Beam and jack condition, cylinder drift under sustained load, pad security and locking, and the extension position sensing that the load chart depends on. A crane rated at several outrigger positions is checked in each configuration.

Which standards apply to mobile cranes?

Normally ASME B30.5, with ASME B30.22 for articulating boom cranes, EN 13000 where the machine is CE marked, ISO 9927-1 for inspection and ISO 4309 for wire rope. BS 7121 Part 2 applies where the client works to British practice.

When is a mobile crane inspected?

Periodically at the authority's interval, on arrival at a new site, and after transport, reassembly or a change of boom configuration. Also after structural repair, an overload or any incident, before hire out and when assessing a used crane for purchase.