Spider Lift Major Inspection
A spider lift earns its name from the four independently adjustable outrigger legs that spread out to plant a compact, lightweight machine on uneven ground. Those legs, the tracked undercarriage that carries it into tight spaces, and the multi-section compact boom are what make a spider lift so capable — and they are exactly what a ten-year major inspection has to prove are still sound. This page is where you book that inspection.
A spider lift major inspection reflects how differently these machines are built. Each outrigger leg, foot and its levelling and interlock system is assessed; the rubber tracks, rollers and drive are examined; and the compact articulating boom is stripped at its pivots. Because a spider lift relies on automatic levelling and outrigger interlocks to stay safe on rough terrain, those systems get particular attention alongside the structure.
Built For
- Owners of tracked spider and atrium lifts
- Arborists and tree-care crews working on soft or uneven ground
- Facilities, heritage and indoor-access contractors
- Hire fleets with spider lifts approaching ten years
- Operators needing outrigger and levelling systems verified
Equipment & Coverage
- Tracked spider lifts
- Atrium and narrow-access lifts
- Compact multi-section articulating booms
- Units with independent hydraulic outrigger legs
- Spider lifts with automatic levelling systems
The Process
Outrigger leg strip
Each of the outrigger legs, feet, rams and pivot pins is dismantled and assessed, along with the levelling and interlock systems the machine depends on to set up safely on uneven ground.
Track & undercarriage check
The rubber tracks, rollers, idlers and track drive are examined for wear, damage and tension, since the undercarriage carries the whole machine over the ground it works on.
Compact boom NDT
The multi-section articulating boom is stripped at its pivots and non-destructive testing applied to its welds and pins, which are densely packed on a compact design.
Level, test & recertify
Levelling and interlock functions are proven, worn components replaced, and the unit stability and load tested before recertification with documentation.
Compliance & Standards
Spider lifts are designed to AS/NZS 1418.10 and maintained and inspected under AS 2550.10, with the ten-year major inspection the recognised deep assessment for ageing plant in Australia. On a spider lift the inspection gives particular weight to the four independent outrigger legs, the tracked undercarriage and the automatic levelling and interlock systems, because stability on uneven ground depends entirely on them. The compact, densely pinned boom is stripped and NDT tested as part of the same assessment.
Why EWP Australia
- Each outrigger leg, foot and ram stripped and assessed independently
- Levelling and interlock systems proven — the basis of spider-lift stability
- Rubber tracks, rollers and drive checked for wear and correct tension
- Compact multi-section boom NDT tested at its densely packed pivots
- Recertified with documentation for tracked and atrium units of any make
Common Questions
Why do the outrigger legs matter so much on a spider lift?
A spider lift is light and compact, so it relies entirely on its four independently adjustable outrigger legs to create a stable base — often on soft or uneven ground. Each leg, foot, ram and pivot is assessed, along with the levelling and interlock systems that stop the machine being elevated before it is set up correctly. That is the core of the machine's safety.
Do you check the tracks and undercarriage too?
Yes. The rubber tracks, rollers, idlers and track drive carry the whole machine over the ground it works on, so they are examined for wear, damage and correct tension. A spider lift's mobility over rough terrain depends on a sound undercarriage as much as its access capability depends on the boom.
What is different about the spider lift boom in a major inspection?
Spider lift booms are compact and multi-sectioned to fold into a small footprint, which means the pivots and pins are densely packed and the boom articulates through several joints. The strip-down and NDT concentrate on those numerous pivot points, since fatigue in a compact articulating boom concentrates across many joints rather than one.
When is a spider lift due for its major inspection?
At ten years of age, with further major inspections periodically after that under AS 2550.10. It is time-based, so the machine is due once it reaches the ten-year point regardless of usage.
Are indoor atrium lifts covered as well?
Yes. Atrium and indoor-access lifts share the same tracked, outrigger-stabilised, compact-boom design as outdoor spider lifts, so the same major inspection scope applies. All makes and models are covered independently.
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