The Decades-Defining Test
Reaching the 10-year or subsequent 5-year milestone is the most critical juncture in a crane's lifecycle. A major inspection is not just a deeper look; it is a mandatory engineering assessment designed to reset the clock on safety and compliance, determining if the asset is fit for continued service.
Cranes Australia executes major inspections with military precision. Our multi-disciplinary team manages the entire process—from tear-down and NDT to engineering calculations and rebuild. Whether it's a fleet of EWPs or a massive port gantry crane, we deliver the legally defensible certification you need to keep operating.
Compliance Standards
- AS2550 (All Parts)Mandates major inspections at end of design life or 10/5 year intervals
- WHS Regulations 2017Statutory requirement for major plant registration and safety
- AS1418 SeriesBaseline design parameters for structural assessment
What's Included
A rigorous, multi-disciplinary approach to asset life extension.
10 & 5 Year Major
Complete strip-down and assessment at the 10-year mark, followed by 5-yearly reassessments.
NDT & Crack Detection
Magnetic Particle and Ultrasonic testing of all load-bearing structures and critical welds.
Mechanical Teardown
Dismantling of hoists, slew rings, and gearboxes to inspect for internal wear and fatigue.
Structural Assessment
Engineering evaluation of the boom, chassis, and outriggers against original design specs.
Design Working Period
Calculation of remaining safe design life (DWP) based on operational history.
Engineering Cert
Issuance of AS2550 compliant certification signed by a Chartered Engineer.
Why It Matters
The severe consequences of ignoring major inspection milestones.
Plant Registration Loss
State regulators will cancel plant registration if major inspections are overdue, making the crane illegal to operate.
Hidden Fatigue
10 years of cyclic loading creates microscopic fatigue in steel that is invisible to the naked eye but will eventually fail.
Contract Exclusion
Tier-1 contractors mandate strict compliance; missing a major inspection means immediate exclusion from major projects.
Our Process
Engineering Review
We calculate the Design Working Period (DWP) using historical logbooks to determine exact requirements.
Dismantling & Cleaning
Crane is removed from service, stripped down, and degreased to allow for bare-metal NDT.
Testing & Assessment
NDT of welds, measurement of wear limits on pins and bushes, and hydraulic pressure testing.
Rebuild & Certification
Worn parts replaced, crane reassembled, load tested, and final engineering certificate issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Major Inspection Due Date Calculator
Work out when your crane's 10-year major inspection falls due under AS 2550 — free, in under a minute.