🏗️ Cranes
Pedestal Crane Inspection & Certification in Saudi Arabia
Pedestal cranes are slewing cranes fixed on a pedestal or foundation on offshore platforms, vessels, jetties and quaysides, and are used along the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea coasts for supply, bunkering and maintenance lifts. They work in salt air and sometimes in hazardous areas, so corrosion and equipment protection are major concerns. Independent inspection and load testing confirm that the structure, bearings and safety devices are still sound for the lifting duty.
What we inspect on a pedestal crane
- ✓Pedestal-to-deck or jetty foundation connection: anchor or flange bolting, welds, grouting and settlement or cracking of the supporting structure
- ✓Slew bearing: bolt preload condition, clearance or tilt measurement, seals, lubrication and smooth rotation
- ✓Slew drive pinion and gear backlash, and the swing brake
- ✓Boom foot pins, boom structure, luffing cylinders or luffing ropes, and boom stops
- ✓Main and auxiliary hoist winches, wire rope, drum grooving, brakes and hook block
- ✓Rated capacity indicator or limiter, anti-two-block, boom angle and slew limits
- ✓Hydraulic or electric power pack, accumulators and the emergency lowering system
- ✓Protective coating, pitting on boom chords, cab, access ladders and handrails, and ingress protection of marine electrical equipment
Common defects we find
- ✓Corroded or loose base bolts, or cracked welds at the pedestal and deck connection
- ✓Excess slew bearing clearance or tilt indicating raceway wear
- ✓Luffing cylinder seal leaks or luff rope wear at the boom foot sheaves
- ✓Water ingress or contamination in the hydraulic oil, or accumulator pre-charge loss affecting emergency lowering
- ✓Coating breakdown and pitting corrosion on boom members, handrails and access ladders
Risks of operating uncertified
- ✓Crane toppling or pedestal failure from deteriorated base bolting or a weakened foundation structure
- ✓Slew bearing seizure or raceway failure from corrosion and poor lubrication, leaving the crane unable to slew safely
- ✓Dropped load or boom drop from hoist brake, luff system or wire rope failure over vessels, jetties or working decks
Testing, standards & frequency
Load / performance test
A load test is typically carried out at or above rated capacity (commonly 100%-125%) at representative radii, depending on the standard and client, with brakes, limiters and emergency lowering functionally tested.
Inspection interval
Typically at least annually, with more detailed periodic surveys and wire rope inspections as the asset owner and the applicable standard require.
Standards referenced
- API Specification 2C Offshore Pedestal-mounted Cranes
- API RP 2D Operation and Maintenance of Offshore Cranes
- ASME B30.8 Floating Cranes and Floating Derricks (where fitted to vessels or barges)
- ISO 4309 Cranes - Wire ropes - Care and maintenance, inspection and discard
Part of our Crane Inspection & Certification service. You receive an inspection report, Certificate of Conformity and inspection tag for passing equipment.
Industries using this equipment
FAQs
What makes pedestal crane inspection different from a mobile crane inspection?＋
Pedestal cranes are permanently fixed, so inspectors examine the pedestal, base bolting and slew bearing instead of outriggers and a carrier, and consider the marine and hazardous-area environment.
Is a pedestal crane covered by API 2C only offshore?＋
API Specification 2C is written for offshore pedestal-mounted cranes, but operators often apply it to similar cranes on jetties or vessels. The applicable standard should be agreed with the asset owner or client.