Rough Terrain Crane - Pre-Op Inspection Procedure

Ensure safety compliance with the DOT’s daily inspection checklist for commercial vehicles.

Detailed Inspection Procedures

Follow these structured procedures to ensure a thorough inspection of your rough terrain crane. These procedures are designed to help identify potential issues before they lead to equipment failure or accidents.

Wire Rope Inspection Procedure

  • Position boom at comfortable inspection height
  • Wear gloves to protect hands from wire rope strands
  • Visually inspect entire length for kinks, broken strands, or bird caging
  • Check for rust, corrosion, or lack of lubrication
  • Verify proper spooling on drum with no overlap or crossing
  • Inspect rope attachments at both ends

Outrigger Deployment Check

  • Ensure area is clear and ground is suitable for deployment
  • Extend beams fully and verify locking mechanisms engage
  • Lower outrigger legs smoothly with no jerking motion
  • Check for hydraulic leaks during extension
  • Verify outrigger pads are properly positioned
  • Confirm crane is level using level indicators

Load Moment Indicator (LMI) Test

  • Power up the system and verify displays are functioning
  • Check that the correct crane configuration is selected
  • Verify outrigger position setting matches actual setup
  • Test alarm functions with a small, known load
  • Verify readouts match expected values for test load
  • Test anti-two-block function if integrated with LMI

Control Function Testing

  • Start engine and let hydraulic oil warm to operating temperature
  • Test each control function individually at slow speed
  • Check for smooth operation with no unexpected jerking
  • Verify boom raise/lower, extend/retract functionality
  • Test swing mechanism for smooth rotation in both directions
  • Confirm hoist up/down operates correctly with no abnormal sounds