what are the rules in your neck of the woods?
2IC 06-25-2008
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these are our guidelines downunder, are these close to a global requirement?

4. Inspection and maintenance

4.1 General

Planned inspection and maintenance are essential for safety and efficiency in the operation of concrete pumps and booms.

4.2 Daily

Manufacturer’s instruction manuals recommend that specific tasks should be carried out daily. Any repairs or replacements should

be in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Only trained and competent personnel should carry out inspections,

repair or replacement.

4.3 Monthly

All pipeline, including reducers, bends, hose and couplings should be inspected monthly using ultrasonic testing for metal parts

and areas likely to be subjected to wear. Rubber hose and couplings should be visually inspected. Records of the pipeline

inspection should be kept in the log book or on site in the case of fixed pipeline installation.

4.4 Yearly

Concrete placing booms and pumps and all other associated equipment, except pipelines, should be inspected once a year by a

competent person and the results entered in the log book. This is in addition to the daily visual checks and inspection by the

operator prior to the commencement of the equipment being used.

4.5 Six year maintenance program

After six years of operation there should be a thorough check of all areas of potential wear or fatigue. This inspection should

include but not be limited to:

a. The complete stripping and inspection of the slew ring or king post assembly.

b. The replacement of the slew ring bolts

c. Magnetic particle, dye penetration or radiographic checking of all critical areas for cracking.

d. Ultrasonic thickness testing of any wear areas or corroded sections.

e. Detailed inspection of all arm joints including bearings, bushes, pins, links.

what is the mandatory in the states and the uk?
2IC 06-27-2008
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was this a stupid question?
Bob 06-27-2008
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2IC

No, it was not a stupid question.

It was a reminder of the extra procedures down under.

We are (supposed to) have a visual inspection every year; twice a year on older machines. My guess is that less than 10% of the pumps in the US get a real, by the book, inspection.

I think that the reason is that the machines are better engineered today.

You Aussies do a tighter job on regulating. Who is to say what the best program is. For me, as usual, I think that the manufactures know best.
Vasa 06-27-2008
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First of all We use common sense...

Check coupling , hoses , reducers every time We us it...

Check the boom every time We grease it , and when i stand on a deck and pump I check the part of the boom I see...And when i am up on the pump I check for cracks and  other damages of the boom...

And EVERY time some crane or excavator hit the boom...

It dont take much to get a dent in the boom and it will break in the near future...

I think if you are an Operator You check everything all the time but if You are a "joystick holder" You run it to its breakdown...

But We inspect the boom once a year with an inspector from  a certified company who inspect cranes and other liftingdevice , he also check the coupling and lockingpins , safteystrap on the endhose . 

And the chassi once a year at "carinspection" (directtranslation from swedish) I dont know the english word...
Bob 06-27-2008
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Vasa

Common sense is always good, but becoming less common