Cranes & Lifting

Common Crane Defects and How to Catch Them

From structural cracks to worn sheaves, these are the most common crane defects — and the inspection methods that detect them.

3 February 2026 2 min read

The Cost of Crane Failure

Cranes handle heavy loads at height, so a structural or mechanical failure can be catastrophic. Regular inspection to AS 2550 keeps cranes safe and compliant.

Common Defects

The defects our inspectors find most often include:

  • Fatigue cracks in boom and jib welds
  • Worn or cracked hooks and sheaves
  • Cracked or worn pins and bushes
  • Corrosion in structural members
  • Wire rope damage

How We Detect Them

We combine visual inspection with ultrasonic, magnetic particle and eddy current testing to detect both surface and internal defects, backed by engineering assessment.

Related Services

NDT Australia provides these services Australia-wide. Get certified, mobile inspection with clear reporting and fast turnaround.

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