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Approved Code of Practice for Cranes

Part 13: Vehicle-mounted truck loader cranes (including knuckle boom and telescopic/straight boom)

13.1 General

Vehicle-mounted truck loader cranes (both new and second-hand and including knuckle boom and telescopic/straight boom) require design verification by an inspection body in accordance with the PECPR Regulations and parts 2 and 5 of this code, prior to certification for use within New Zealand.

Parts 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 of this code also apply.

A supplier, manufacturer or controller of such a crane shall provide the following documentation, as in part 5.2, to the inspection body carrying out the design verification. Where crane documentation is not available, the New Zealand agent for the crane manufacturer may be able to provide the documentation if the crane serial number is quoted.

  1. For full details of the safe load indicators, radius indicators and so on that are required on the various crane types, refer to Appendix A.

13.2 Additional requirements

In addition to the requirements in part 13.1 and part 3: Operational requirements for controllers, the following are also required:

  1. Suppliers shall provide:
    1. manufacturer’s rating chart
    2. manufacturer’s recommended installation instructions
    3. operating and maintenance instructions
    4. hook certificate
    5. hook block, sheave block and wire rope certificates, where appropriate.
  2. Before putting a crane into service, there shall be:
    1. a certificate from a Land Transport New Zealand-approved HVEC engineer to certify that the crane installation/vehicle modification complies with the crane/vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations as specified in Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles 2004 (Rule 31002). This includes an assessment of suitability of the mounting to include crane loading.

    Note: This Rule should be read in conjunction with Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles Amendment 2005.

    1. a certificate of inspection from an inspection body before first use as a crane
    2. a stability test demonstrating the stability of the vehicle with the crane at a maximum load for any given radius, which must be carried out with the crane level and on level ground

    3. Note: If a wheel does lift off the ground, a further test with a 10% overload may be carried out at 90º to the tipping line. If the vehicle remains with up to half the wheels in any one axle set off the ground and at least one braked wheel is loaded, the unit is deemed to be stable. (This is to clarify the definition for a dual wheel axle and a tandem axle set found on many trucks.) Note that trucks fitted with only a drive-line park brake will not have a braked wheel when one drive wheel is off the ground.

    1. a note in the form of an approved load chart on the crane where it is visible to the operator describing any area of potential instability and operating limitations of the crane.
  3. Annual visual and operational inspections by an equipment inspector are required to assess the general condition for continued safe operation and certification. This should cover (but is not limited to):
    1. all boom and extension pins and bushes
    2. stabiliser beams, pins and leg operation. A vehicle fitted with outriggers must either have a locking device that is able to be seen in a locked position when the outriggers are retracted, or a visual or audible alarm for the driver to be warned that the outriggers are not fully retracted
    3. extension cylinder guide blocks
    4. control rods and pins
    5. hook pin and safety latch
    6. valve bank mounting
    7. tank mounting
    8. hydraulic hoses
    9. column or slew ring
    10. crane to truck chassis mounting
    11. demount mechanism on truck and crane
    12. crane base stop blocks fitted to both sides of main beam
    13. chassis spacer fitted on mounting bolts
    14. mounting bolts tight with lock nut or nylock
    15. load radius rating chart fitted
    16. parking bolt and parking mount
    17. operation of overload protection systems and load holding valves
    18. electrical emergency stop and radio compliance
    19. crane documentation including certified rating sheets marked with crane unique identifier and serial number
    20. maintenance and repair records including any new rope certificate
    21. general condition of crane structure, fastenings and chassis
    22. coatings condition (paint etc.), markings and labels
    23. condition of welded joints
    24. winch, sheaves, hook block and bearings (where fitted)
    25. condition of hoist ropes (where fitted)
    26. rope anchors and dead ends (where fitted)
    27. hook block and swivel bearing
    28. jib
    29. manual extension
    30. remote/radio controls to be tested, where applicable
  4. Up to 15-tonne metre cranes shall:
    1. comply with 13.1, 13.2(1) and 13.2(2) above
    2. be fitted with load holding valves on main, outer and extension booms
    3. be fitted with pilot-controlled double check valve on each stabiliser jack
    4. have an annual inspection carried out by an equipment inspector.
  5. Over 15-tonne metre cranes:
    1. Units in New Zealand as at the date of the release of this code shall:
      1. comply with 13.1, 13.2(1), 13.2(2) and Appendix A: Safe load indicators
      2. after initial inspection, have an annual inspection carried out by an equipment inspector.
    2. Units imported into New Zealand after the release of this code shall:.
      1. comply with 13.1, 13.2(1), 13.2(2) and Appendix A: Safe load indicators
      2. if remote- or lever-controlled crane, have an emergency cut-off/reset button at each operating control station
      3. be fitted with load holding valves on main, outer and extension booms
      4. be fitted with a pilot-controlled double-check valve on each stabiliser jack
      5. have an annual inspection carried out by an equipment inspector.
  6. All certificates of inspection must be placed and visible in the vehicle cab.
  7. When moving on the road, the crane boom must be either located in or on the parking mount provided, or located or locked in a position such that the boom cannot move outside the vehicle dimensions.
  8. If, at any time, a vehicle-mounted truck loader crane has a device fitted for the purpose of lifting personnel, it must also comply with the Approved Code of Practice for Elevated Work Platforms.

Note: “Tonne metre capacity” is the lifting capacity in tonnes multiplied by the minimum radius.

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