Load Testing: Learn About the Urban Legend

Load Testing

CraneWerks has 16,000 lbs of portable load testing weights and a test weight skid that weighs 2,500 lbs. We have the capability of load testing up to a 7.5 ton cranes with these static weights, and are qualified to load test cranes of all capacities using water weights and other static weight options. Our team is also able to provide a portable test stand that can be used in our shop or transport to your plant for load testing up to 10 ton hoists, slings and other lifting apparatuses.

Requirements

Load testing should be performed on all new, extensively repaired and altered cranes prior to initial use by or under the direction of an appointed person for operational confirmation.

Test loads shall not be more than 125% of rated load.

The test reports shall be placed on file where readily available to appointed personnel.

The Urban Legend of Load Testing

A common urban legend in material handling is that an item of unknown capacity can be load tested at 125% of desired load and that a certificate can then be provided that states that this item is certified for the rated load.

This is false.

In fact, the act of load testing an item can actually damage the device being tested if it was not originally designed for the proper load.

Load testing should only be performed after a structure, crane, monorail, jib, lifting beam, sling, etc. is known to have been designed to properly support a load and is in good physical and mechanical shape. A full visual inspection is recommended prior to load testing any item and if the designed load of a device is not known, in most cases reverse engineering can be performed to calculate the strength and capacity of an item.

Keeping Your Crane Up to Date with Inspections

Often times, load testing will be coupled with inspections. For more information on these services, please check out our frequent and periodic crane and hoist inspection programs.