3. Before operating an overhead crane, is the load test mandatory?
It is worth remembering that the first part of the load test is to lift a load equal to the rated load of the crane in order to test the brakes, stroke limits and other mechanisms of the equipment. In addition, during the load test, the vertical deflection must be measured. The acceptable deflection criteria varies according to the design of the equipment.
In the second part of the test, 125% of the rated load is raised. The equipment must be able to lift and move the load without difficulty, without necessarily reaching maximum speed.
Following these tests, a report must be produced showing the results and it must be kept in the equipment logbook.
This load test is a recommendation of the American ASME B30.17 Overhead and Gantry standard. However, in Canada and in Quebec, reference should be made to CSA B167 Cranes: Design, Inspection, Testing, Maintenance and Safe Use, which is a mandatory crane design standard.
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