An Inspection Guide for Heavy Equipment
Regular inspections of your heavy equipment will help it run better and go longer before needing to make a trip to the mechanic. Proactive examinations also help catch issues before they become larger, more dangerous, and more expensive problems.
We have created the following beginner's guide to make the heavy equipment inspection process easier and more manageable for you. Read on to learn more, and for more maintenance tips, visit King Machinery!
Refer to Your Owner's Manual
Start by reviewing the owner's manual for your heavy machinery. This handy resource contains specific maintenance timelines and procedures recommended by the manufacturer. After all, who knows the equipment better than the company that created it?
Know the Daily Tasks
You'll need to perform various daily tasks before starting a piece of heavy equipment for daily operation. So, ensure the operators are familiar with the daily routine and that everyone involved with the inspection knows the tasks to complete before using the equipment. Ideally, train all primary operators and supervisors, and ensure they follow all the steps correctly.
Inspect for Safety
Next, you want to check the relevant safety features of your heavy equipment by examining the brakes, coupling devices, seat belts, parking systems, safety devices, and steering mechanisms. You should check these pieces often and ensure your equipment is ready for safe operation.
Inspect for Damage and Wear
Another inspection step is to see if you can spot excessive wear or damage to your heavy machinery. Even the highest quality models can wear down due to continued use.
You’ll want to inspect tires to see if they still have sufficient tread depth left or if there are any signs of damage. You also want to look around the area to spot any liquid pools because leaking fluid is a huge red flag indicating that you should make an appointment with a mechanic.
Next, examine the frame for structural damages, dents, or scratches and check out your fluid levels, such as hydraulic oil, exhaust fluid, and coolant. You want to replace dirty or discolored fluids and top off low-level fluids. Finally, lubricate the arms if necessary and test the lights to ensure they are bright and functional.
We hope you found this guide helpful when inspecting heavy equipment at your worksite. If you have more questions or are still searching for robust and reliable machines, contact King Machinery. We are in Statesville, NC, so stop by today!