Vehicle Loading Crane Inspection & Certification
Engineering inspection and certification of vehicle loading cranes, the articulated truck-mounted cranes used to load and unload their host vehicle and lift on site.
A vehicle loading crane is an articulated, hydraulically operated crane mounted on a truck, primarily to load and unload the vehicle it is fitted to, and often used for general lifting on site. Governed specifically by AS 1418.11 for design and AS 2550.11 for safe use, these cranes fold into a compact stowed position and unfold into a multi-jointed boom, so their pins, hydraulics and stabilisers are the heart of our inspection. This page details what we assess and how we certify these machines.
A crane governed by its own standard
Vehicle loading cranes have a dedicated standard, AS 1418.11, because their folding articulated design and truck mounting set them apart from other mobile cranes. AS 2550.11 then governs their safe use and inspection. Our engineers apply these specifically, rather than treating the crane as a generic mobile crane, because the load paths, stability basis and inspection points are distinctive.
The multiple hydraulic extension booms and the knuckle joint create many highly loaded pins and cylinders, and it is here that wear and fatigue concentrate over the crane's life.
Boom, knuckle and extension system
The articulated boom is the defining feature. We inspect the main boom, the knuckle and each hydraulic extension section for cracking, wear and distortion, and examine every pin and bush, since a worn pin at a knuckle affects the geometry and loading of everything beyond it.
The extension cylinders and their holding valves are checked for drift and for the ability to hold load if a hose fails, which is fundamental to preventing an uncontrolled boom collapse under load.
Stabilisers, mounting and stability
A vehicle loading crane's rated capacity depends on its stabilisers being correctly deployed on adequate ground. We inspect the stabiliser legs, beams and feet, verify the deployment and monitoring systems, and check the crane's mounting to the truck subframe and chassis, since this connection carries every lifting load into the vehicle.
Where the crane's rating depends on stabiliser position, we confirm that the load-limiting system accounts for it correctly.
Load testing and periodic inspection
Under AS 2550.11 these cranes require periodic competent-person inspection and, at defined intervals, a major inspection. Load testing verifies the crane and its overload protection perform correctly at rated capacity, and we combine this with non-destructive testing of critical welds and pins where the crane's age or duty warrants.
Our report records the inspection and test results, the condition of the mounting, and the certification outcome, with any defects listed for rectification.
Frequently Asked Questions
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