In the world of heavy lifting, precision and safety go hand in hand. Whether you’re operating overhead cranes, mobile cranes, or hoists, ensuring each piece of lifting equipment performs as expected is vital to maintaining safety, compliance, and operational efficiency. That’s where test weight hire plays an essential role — providing the means to verify lifting systems through reliable and repeatable proof load testing.
Why Crane and Hoist Testing Is Essential
Every lifting operation comes with inherent risks. Over time, cranes and hoists can experience wear, stress, and fatigue that may compromise performance. Regular testing confirms that lifting equipment can safely carry its rated load, helping to prevent mechanical failures, accidents, and costly downtime.
Under UK law, proof load testing and inspection of lifting equipment fall under LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998). These regulations require employers and duty holders to ensure all lifting equipment is fit for use, properly maintained, and thoroughly examined by a competent person at prescribed intervals.
Testing also helps identify structural weaknesses or design flaws before they cause issues in the field — a proactive approach that promotes safer, more reliable operations.
Different Load Tests Used for Cranes and Lifting Systems
Not all load tests are the same. Depending on the type of crane or lifting system, engineers may carry out one or more of the following tests:
- Static Load Tests: The equipment is loaded to a specific percentage above its rated capacity and held stationary to confirm structural integrity and load-bearing capability.
- Dynamic Load Tests: The load is moved through its normal working motions to verify operational performance under stress.
- Proof Load Tests: These tests use test weights to confirm that the lifting equipment or structure meets its design load safely and without deformation.
At LMT Hire Ltd, we supply a full range of cast steel test weights and lifting cradles to support all types of crane and hoist testing. From 56lb hand weights to 7,400kg block weights, we can tailor your hire package to suit the equipment being tested.
How LMT Hire Supports Crane Specialists and Engineers
Our team at LMT Hire Ltd works closely with crane manufacturers, service engineers, and testing professionals throughout the UK. We understand that time, accuracy, and logistics are critical to successful proof load testing — which is why we provide:
Keeping the Industry Lifting Safely
In the crane and lifting industry, reliability and compliance are everything. Test weight hire enables engineers to maintain safe lifting operations, prove the integrity of critical systems, and meet legal obligations with confidence.
If you’re looking for dependable test weight hire to support crane or hoist testing, contact LMT Hire Ltd today. Our experienced team will help you find the right equipment and ensure your lifting operations stay safe, efficient, and compliant.
📞 Call us on 01709 223 113 or visit our Test Weight Hire and Proof Load Testing pages for more information.