Regularly inspecting your heavy machinery comes with many benefits. When your equipment is in top working condition, your workers and jobsite are safer, and you can operate more efficiently and cost-effectively.
This heavy equipment inspection guide explains why you should inspect your machinery every time you use it and what specifically to look for during your inspections.
Importance of Regular Inspection
Machine operators should inspect their equipment before and after each use. Here’s why maintenance inspection for heavy equipment is so important:
Improve workplace safety: Maintaining a safe work environment is vital. Routine inspection of heavy machinery before and after use helps keep your workers safe. Regular checks ensure the equipment is in good condition, reducing the chance of accidents and injuries.
Avoid failures and downtime: Regular equipment inspection helps you find and fix issues early, reducing the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns. It also decreases wear and tear, increasing the machine’s life span. This improvement in reliability and availability helps keep you on schedule.
Reduce operating costs: Fixing small problems is usually much less expensive than more extensive repairs. Planning to replace large parts or even entire machines can help you find the best deals and save money.
Maintain resale value: Keeping your equipment well-maintained also helps maintain its resale value, so it’s worth more when you’re ready to trade it in or sell it.
Key Areas to Inspect
Before using heavy equipment, inspect it thoroughly. Go over key areas, inside and out, looking for excessive wear, broken parts and anything unusual. Here’s how to inspect construction equipment and other heavy machinery.
Starting with the exterior, walk around the machine and inspect the following parts:
Lights: Check that the headlights, brake, backup and signal lights work and are bright enough.
Brakes: Make sure the brakes are responsive and in good condition. Replace worn parts as needed.
Suspension: Suspension parts may need replacing if the system bounces, vibrates excessively or makes unusual noises.
Attachments: Make sure any attachments are connected properly and free of damage.
Undercarriage: Check for dirt buildup and scratched parts. While inspecting the undercarriage, look for signs of leaks under the equipment.
Tires or tracks: Whether your machine has tires or tracks, they should be clear of debris and foreign objects such as screws. Check the tread depth and look for cracks or holes.
Hydraulic system: The hydraulic lines should be clean and dry. Tighten any loose connections.
Steps and handles: The steps should be clear of dirt buildup, and handles should be unobstructed and secure.
Under the hood, check these components in the engine:
Fluids: Check the hydraulic oil, engine oil, coolant and windshield cleaning fluid. You’ll want to make sure there’s enough of each fluid and that it’s clean. Lower fluid levels than expected could mean there’s a leak somewhere.
Filters: Check the air filters and replace them if necessary.
Battery: Check the connections and ensure the battery is charged.
Fan and alternator: Look for damage or excessive wear.
Fan belts and hoses: Fan belts and hoses should be pliable, not brittle. Replace belts or hoses that are fraying, too loose or have holes or cracks.
Finally, inspect the interior of the cab:
Mirrors: Check that all mirrors are intact and provide clear visibility.
Gauges: Ensure the speedometer, oil pressure gauge and other indicators work properly.
Seatbelts: Buckle the seatbelt and tug to check that it stays buckled. Inspect the belt for cuts or fraying.
Wiper blades: The wiper blades should clear the windshield without leaving streaks.
Safety features: Check that features such as the horn, cameras and the backup alarm function.
Steering wheel and controls: The steering wheel and controls should move smoothly.
During operation, listen for unusual noises, vibrations or changes in performance. Check that the gauges are functioning and indicate safe operation levels.
It’s also a good idea to clean and inspect the equipment after shutting it down for the day. Fill the fuel tank and clear the machine of built-up dirt and debris.
Completing an Inspection Checklist
When completing a heavy equipment inspection checklist, note the date and time and who the inspector was. Identify the machine and whether each component passed the inspection. Inspectors should write down any repairs or other corrective actions they take
Additionally, include a sign-off section for the inspector to indicate whether the equipment is cleared for work or needs additional maintenance. State what repairs are required to ensure the machine is safe.
You may also want to create an inspection schedule to remind you to perform preventive maintenance after the equipment operates for a certain amount of time. While you should follow your equipment manufacturer’s guidelines, many companies follow a schedule similar to this:
250 hours: Change the fuel, engine air filters and oil.
1,000 hours: Change the cabin air filter and coolant. Check to see if the air dryer needs replacing.
5,000 hours: Service the transmission. Check the hydraulic tank, radiator, pins and bushing, replacing parts as needed.
Common Issues to Look For
The most common issues are leaks, worn tires or tracks, and accumulated dirt or debris. You’ll also want to look for excessive wear or damage to any components.
Other problems include:
Excessive blow-by: Blow-by is when combustion gases or the air-fuel mix leaks out of the cylinder into the crankcase. An unusual amount of blow-by can indicate abnormal engine wear or damage. If many cylinders have issues, check the pump and pressure.
Filter issues: Filter problems, such as damage or leaks, are usually easy to repair. Catching these issues early can save you from having to make more expensive repairs if the filters aren’t performing correctly and contaminants damage the engine.
Hydraulic system issues: Problems such as leaks, loose connections and inadequate pressure cause your hydraulics to malfunction.
In general, listen for strange noises, vibrations or changes in performance during operation. Check that the gauges are functioning and indicate safe operation levels. If anything unusual occurs, stop the equipment and investigate.
Contact Blanchard Machinery Company for Heavy Equipment and Service
Regular inspections can help you manage preventive maintenance, but you can’t make repairs without the necessary parts. Keeping an inventory of commonly replaced parts on hand can help your operations run smoothly.
If your machinery needs a more in-depth inspection or significant repairs, Blanchard Machinery Company has you covered with our full range of services. Whether you need a hydraulic hose fixed or a complete rebuild, we can help you keep your equipment running. We even offer emergency field services. We can also help if you need to rent a machine while yours is being repaired or want to invest in a new piece of equipment.
