TEST PROCEDURES
After the crane has been prestarted and
transported to the test pad, the crane crew
supervisors assist the crane test director to set up the
weights for the weight-testing procedure. The crane
crew supervisors must know the length of boom and
the number of parts of line assembled on the crane.
When testing cranes, you must test all the sections of
boom assigned to a crane during the crane test
procedures. The supervisors take the boom length
measurement and the number of parts of line and
review the load charts (fig. 3-11) to determine the
maximum-rated allowable load that the crane can lift.
Mobile cranes are weight-tested at 110 percent of the
rated capacity. Crawler cranes are weight-tested at
125 percent of the rated capacity. Complete tests are
performed on each hook, such as the main hoist and
the auxiliary or jib hoist. All rigging used in crane
load testing must have been previously tested to at
least 150 percent of the rated working load.
Test Weights
To determine the test weight for a mobile
crane, refer to the manufacturer’s load charts
assigned to the crane. To determine the test weight
used in the following example, use the load chart in
figure 3-11. When the crane is assembled with 60 feet
of boom, the minimum radius noted on the load chart
is 15 feet, with a rated capacity of 48,800 pounds. Do
not rely on the boom angle indicator for radius
accuracy when the lift exceeds 75 percent of the rated
capacity; however, check the accuracy of the boom
angle indicator by placing a 3-foot builder’s level on
the center boom section and raise or lower the boom
until the level indicates the boom is level (fig. 3-12). At
this point the boom angle indicator should show the
Figure 3-12.—Check accuracy of boom angle indicator.
3-13
