NDT & Major Structural Inspections
Mondak Equipment provides NDT with a qualified third-party NDT provider and major structural inspection services for bucket trucks and vehicle-mounted aerial devices, along with the repair capabilities to address problems found during the inspection.
More Than an Annual Inspection
A major structural inspection is a much different job than a normal annual aerial inspection.
On many units, critical areas cannot be properly inspected without disassembly, cleaning, surface preparation, and access to components that are normally covered or assembled together.
Sometimes the equipment is due because of its age.
Other times there is known damage, cracking, excessive wear, a previous repair, or another reason the structure needs a closer look.
Who Performs What
Mondak performs major structural inspections directly.
The actual NDT is performed by a qualified third-party NDT provider, and we work together to complete the inspection process.
When Is a Major Structural Inspection Due?
Under current ANSI/SAIA A92.2 requirements for vehicle-mounted aerial devices, a major structural inspection is required:
After the first 15 years of service
and then:
Every 10 years thereafter
unless the manufacturer directs otherwise. The major inspection includes the periodic inspection, structural load testing, and a detailed structural inspection looking for conditions such as deformation, broken members, and cracked welds.
This applies to vehicle-mounted aerial devices such as bucket trucks.
Why Does NDT Take More Time?
Customers sometimes compare the cost of an NDT or major structural inspection to a normal annual inspection.
They are not the same amount of work.
The areas that need to be inspected may be buried behind covers, pins, bearings, brackets, paint, grease, or other components.
Depending on the machine and inspection requirements, the process may include:
- Disassembling portions of the aerial device
- Removing pins or other components
- Cleaning grease, dirt, and contamination
- Sanding or removing coatings where required
- Preparing welds and structural surfaces
- Inspecting critical structural areas
- Performing the required NDT
- Structural/load testing where applicable
- Reassembling the equipment
Even normal annual inspection guidance requires covers to be removed and components cleaned when necessary so supporting structures and welds can actually be inspected. A major structural inspection goes considerably deeper.
That is why NDT pricing can vary significantly from one machine to another.
What Are We Looking For?
Depending on the equipment and inspection scope, areas of concern can include:
- Cracked welds
- Structural cracking
- Deformation
- Worn pins and bushings
- Worn or elongated bores
- Bearing wear
- Corrosion
- Damaged structural members
- Previous repairs
- Excessive movement
- Fatigue around high-load areas
- Damage around cylinder mounts and pivot points
The point is not simply to find a crack.
It is to get a better understanding of the condition of the structure and what needs attention before the equipment returns to service.
NDT After Damage or Repair
A machine does not necessarily need to reach 15 years before structural or NDT work makes sense.
Additional inspection may be appropriate when there has been:
- Known structural damage
- An accident or overload
- Suspected cracking
- Significant corrosion
- A major structural repair
- Previous weld repair
- Excessive movement
- Findings during an annual inspection
- Another condition that raises concern about structural integrity
The correct inspection should be based on the equipment, its history, and the manufacturer's requirements.
What About JLG, Genie, Skyjack & Snorkel MEWPs?
MEWPs such as JLG, Genie, Skyjack, and Snorkel boom lifts and scissor lifts do not follow the same universal A92.2 15-year / 10-year major structural inspection schedule used for vehicle-mounted aerial devices.
That does not mean they never need structural inspection or NDT.
NDT or more extensive structural inspection may be appropriate based on:
- Manufacturer requirements
- Equipment condition
- Damage
- Accident history
- Overload
- Corrosion
- Cracking
- Major repairs
- Findings during an annual inspection
For these machines, we work from the specific equipment and circumstances rather than applying the bucket-truck interval to everything.
If the Inspection Finds a Problem
This is where Mondak's equipment repair capabilities become useful.
Finding a problem is only the first step.
Depending on what is found, Mondak can help with:
- Pins and bushings
- Worn bores
- Bearings
- Shafts
- Hydraulic cylinders
- Machining
- Welding and fabrication
- Structural repairs where appropriate
- Hydraulic repairs associated with teardown
- Electrical repairs associated with disassembly
- Hard-to-find replacement components
A failed inspection does not automatically mean the equipment is finished.
It means the problem needs to be understood and the proper repair determined before the unit goes back into service.
Why We Usually Need Equipment Information Before Pricing
Major structural and NDT work is difficult to price responsibly without knowing what equipment is involved.
The amount of labor can change considerably depending on:
- Manufacturer
- Model
- Age
- Boom configuration
- Equipment condition
- Previous repairs
- Amount of disassembly required
- Surface preparation required
- Inspection scope
- What is found after the machine is opened up
A clean machine with good access is a different job from a heavily used unit that needs extensive teardown and preparation.
We would rather understand the equipment and give you a realistic scope than advertise a price that does not fit the job.
Not Sure if Your Equipment Is Due?
Give Mondak the:
- Manufacturer
- Model
- Serial number
- Year
- Previous inspection history if available
- Any known damage or previous structural repair
For vehicle-mounted aerial devices approaching or past 15 years of service, we can help determine whether a major structural inspection is due.
For MEWPs or equipment with known damage, we can help determine what type of structural inspection makes sense.
Tell us what you have and what you are dealing with. We'll start there.
Contact Mondak Equipment