The problems which arise during the period of expert inspection of the load-lifting cranes which have fulfilled regulatory lifetime, at definition of their actual group of classification (operating mode) are analyzed. It is established that the actual group of classification (mode of operation) of operated cranes, which is determined by the regulations on labor protection (NPAOP), often does not coincide with the passport modes of operation of cranes. A new method of diagnosing the actual

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... fication group (operating mode) of operated cranes has been developed, which allows taking into account the real modes of their loading and classes of use using the value of specific energy consumption of cranes. The proposed method allows to reliably determining the actual group of classification of cranes that have served the regulatory lifetime, taking into account the real operating conditions of all crane mechanisms and their technical condition for the entire period of operation. This makes it possible to reasonably and qualitatively establish the terms and conditions of further safe operation of cranes.