Pad Eye Proof Load Testing
Hydro-Wates® provides pad eye proof load testing services up to 150 tons using in-house pad eye testing machines and certified personnel. Our hydraulic pad eye testers are used for lifting lugs, eyebolts, and lift points that are deck mounted, basket-mounted, inaccessible, or in areas with limited headroom where water bags cannot be deployed. Where required, our machines are adapted to suit irregular configurations that prevent a standard straight-pull approach
Our Load Testing Solutions
Hydro-Wates® maintains an inventory of pad eye testing machines that can be used in conjunction with our water bag testing equipment to proof load test pad eyes on a variety of structures, including cranes, vessels, cargo baskets, and overhead lift points, to name a few. We design and fabricate our own pad eye tester reaction frames and pulling mandrels to ensure the highest level of component structural integrity, safety, and reliability.
Available capacities: 10 | 20 | 30 | 60 | 100 | 150 ton
All pad eye testers are equipped with Enerpac® hydraulic cylinders, pumps, and calibrated pressure gauges.
Pad Eye Testing Standards & Certification
Hydro-Wates® provides certification that your test results meet established standards, including:
API — American Petroleum Institute
OSHA — Occupational Safety and Health Administration
ASME — American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Pressure gauges are calibrated annually with accuracy certification traceable to NIST standards.
Pad Eye Testing Equipment Rental
In addition to full-service pad eye proof load testing, Hydro-Wates® offers pad eye testing equipment for rent for customers performing tests independently. Our hydraulic pad eye testers are available in multiple capacities and come calibrated and ready for deployment.
Pad Eye Testing Safety
Pad eyes — also known as lifting lugs — are welded, bolted, or riveted attachment points used for lifting and tie-down applications across cranes, offshore structures, vessels, and cargo baskets. Pad eye failure can result in dropping of the load and rigging gear, resulting in damage to the materials being tested and potential injuries to the riggers. Testing is performed to ensure that the pad eyes are securely fastened and that the pad eye can accommodate the weight to be lifted or suspended. Hydro-Wates® pad eye testing machines are available for this purpose and are available in sizes to generate proof load test forces up to 150 tons.
Whether you are performing the load test of pad eyes yourself or Hydro-Wates® is performing the work, our equipment will provide accurate and reliable results. The pressure gauges provided with our pad eye tester hydraulic pumps are calibrated annually, with accuracy certification traceable to NIST standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pad eye testing — also called lifting lug proof load testing — verifies that a pad eye or lift point can safely carry its rated load. A hydraulic tester applies a specified proof load force to the pad eye while it is in service position and holds it for a defined period to confirm structural integrity.
Testing is required when pad eyes are newly installed, when a lift plan requires proof load verification, or when visual inspection indicates wear, damage, or weld concerns. Compliance with API, OSHA, and ASME standards often mandates proof load certification prior to use.
The terms are used interchangeably. Both refer to a welded, bolted, or riveted attachment point used to connect rigging for lifting or tie-down applications.
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