Free crane inspection checklist
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A crane inspection checklist is a structured form used to inspect and document the condition of a crane at regular intervals. This page explains what to include in a crane inspection, how to conduct it, and offers a free PDF-ready template you can download and use straight away. No sign-up required.
Last updated: 2026-03-26 · MapTrack
Commercial Director
How to use: Record crane details and hours/cycles → inspect each section → rate defect severity → sign off and tag crane status → save as PDF (Print → Save as PDF).
- ✓ PDF-ready. Open and print to PDF
- ✓ Covers structural, wire ropes, hooks, brakes, controls, safety devices and load testing
- ✓ Free to use with or without MapTrack
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See the first part of the checklist below. Enter your email above to download the full crane inspection checklist (PDF-ready).
What is a crane inspection checklist?
A crane inspection checklist is a structured form used to inspect and document the condition of a crane at regular intervals. It covers all safety-critical components, including structural members, wire ropes, hooks, sheaves, brakes, controls, safety devices, load indicators and electrical systems. The checklist ensures that cranes are safe to operate, identifies defects before they cause failures, and provides documented evidence of compliance with Australian WHS regulations and AS 2550 standards.
Benefits of regular crane inspections
- Safety: identify worn or damaged components before they cause a failure or incident.
- Compliance: documented inspections to meet WHS and AS 2550 requirements.
- Reduced downtime: catch issues during scheduled inspections rather than mid-lift.
- Insurance requirements: many insurers require documented inspection records for crane cover.
- Liability protection: demonstrated inspection history provides a defence in incident investigations.
- Component tracking: monitor wear trends on wire ropes, brakes and structural members over time.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you move from paper or static PDFs to digital forms in MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
- Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
- Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
- Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
- Ability to share forms digitally.
- Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
- Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
- Electronic signatures.
- Edit forms later without reprinting.
- Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
- Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
Book a demo to see digital crane inspections and compliance tracking in MapTrack.
What to include in a crane inspection checklist
Our free crane inspection checklist includes:
- Crane details: type, make/model, serial number, SWL/WLL, registration, site location.
- Inspection details: date, inspector name, inspection type, hours/cycles.
- Structural: boom, jib, mast, turntable, outriggers, chassis, welds, pins, bolts.
- Wire ropes and chains: diameter, lay length, broken wires, corrosion, lubrication, terminations.
- Hooks: throat opening, twist, wear, safety latch, markings.
- Sheaves and pulleys: groove wear, bearings, guards, alignment.
- Brakes: hoist, slew, travel, emergency, adjustment, wear.
- Controls: levers, pedals, switches, cab instruments, load moment indicator.
- Safety devices: anti-two-block, load indicator, limit switches, anemometer, level indicator.
- Electrical: motors, contactors, wiring, pendant, collector bars, earthing.
- Load testing: proof load, functional test, SWL verification.
- Defect register: item, severity, action required.
- Sign-off: inspector, crane supervisor.
How to conduct a crane inspection
- Record crane details and current hours/cycles.
- Conduct visual inspection with crane powered off.
- Inspect wire ropes, hooks and structural members in detail.
- Power up and test all controls, brakes and safety devices.
- Record all defects with severity ratings.
- Sign off, tag crane status and update the service record.
In MapTrack, crane inspections are completed on mobile and linked directly to the crane record. Photos and certificates attach to each inspection, and failed items can trigger work orders so the crane is not available until cleared. Book a demo to see how.
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Back to download formCrane inspection frequency
Crane inspections follow a tiered schedule. Daily pre-operational checks are performed by the operator before each shift. Monthly inspections cover major components (wire ropes, hooks, brakes, safety devices). Quarterly inspections include detailed structural and rope assessments. Annual major inspections are comprehensive and should be performed by a competent person. Cranes in high-use or harsh environments may require more frequent inspections. In MapTrack, you can schedule each inspection tier and track compliance across your entire crane fleet.
Frequently asked questions
- What types of cranes need regular inspections?
- All cranes require regular inspections under Australian WHS regulations and AS 2550 (Cranes, hoists and winches). This includes mobile cranes (all-terrain, rough-terrain, truck-mounted), tower cranes, overhead bridge cranes, gantry cranes, jib cranes, crawler cranes and vehicle loading cranes (hiab). Each type has specific inspection requirements based on its configuration and use.
- How often should cranes be inspected?
- Cranes require multiple inspection frequencies. Daily pre-operational checks are performed by the operator before each shift. Monthly inspections cover a more detailed assessment of major components. Quarterly inspections include wire rope and structural checks. Annual inspections (major inspections) are comprehensive and typically require a competent person or licensed assessor. Ten-year major inspections involve non-destructive testing of structural components.
- Who is qualified to inspect a crane?
- Daily pre-operational checks can be performed by a trained and competent operator. Periodic and annual inspections should be performed by a competent person with relevant crane inspection experience and qualifications. Major structural inspections and load testing must be conducted by a licensed assessor or engineer. In Australia, crane inspectors should hold relevant competencies under the national WHS framework.
- Is the template free to use without MapTrack?
- Yes. Download and use the crane inspection checklist for free. Open the file and use your browser's Print, then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account required. If you later want digital crane inspections linked to each crane with scheduling, compliance alerts and service history, we would be happy to show you MapTrack.
Need digital crane inspections with compliance tracking?
Register every crane in MapTrack. Schedule daily, monthly, quarterly and annual inspections, complete checklists on mobile, attach photos and certificates, and maintain a complete compliance history for each crane.