NHTSA Complaint #11539396 — 2006 FORD F-350

While performing a lift of a 520-pound load in a boom position rated for 575 pounds, the crane abruptly failed due to a faulty weld and dropped the load approximately 18 inches, causing minor injuries to the crane operator. There was no sign of trouble before the failure. The failed weld was a circumferential weld between the support pillar and the bearing mount. This was concealed inside the base of the boom assembly and this part arrived already assembled. The skirt that extends from the boom assembly over the bearing mount caught on the pillar and stopped the boom from falling off the pillar entirely. The weld had a full bead but no penetration around most of its circumference. After painting this would have been hard to inspect visually even with the appropriate portion disassembled. Other reviews posted on Amazon.com, where the crane was purchased, show the same kind of deficient welding. The problem was reported to Amazon through a customer service representative and through their safety issue reporting system but they have made no acknowledgement of the issue and have not asked for more details. The broken component has since been repaired and returned to service but photographs of the failure are available.