Motor Grader Inspection Checklist
motor graders are magnificent machines that can be put to the task of grading and making roads. These machines are generally huge in size and come with a huge army of parts that need to be kept in the best possible condition to ensure the owners make the most of the money they spent. Here is an extensive check list of things to inspect before and after a motor grader is used for the task for the day.
From the ground
1. Check the condition and cleanliness of steps and handholds since they are used to take support when getting on board the machine. Broken steps may lead to injuries opening up the company to compensation claims.
2. Its necessary to check the inflation of tires to ensure they can take the weight of the machine and the stress that the machine has to put up with. If the tyres re not inflated enough, it burdens the motor and may lead to higher fuel consumption as well.
3. Damage to lug nuts needs to be inspected thoroughly to avoid possibilities of any major damage to the machines and or break downs.
4. Stem covers of brakes need to be check to ensure that the brakes are covered and protected.
5. Tandem housings need to be checked for dirt, trash build up and leaks. They should be kept clean at all times.
6. Articulation area needs to be checked for trash or dirt build up since the build up can lead to problems with movement of the machine parts and eventually break downs and system failures.
7. Air reservoir should always be checked for drain water and sediment. Build up in the air reservoir leads to reduced efficiency of cuimbsion in the engine thus increasing fuel usage.
8. Transmission leaks should be for regularly. Transmission leaks can lead to malfunctioning or underperformance due to the leaks. Any leaks that are found should be repaired immediately on priority.
9. Differential and tandem leaks under the machine need to be checked when doing an inspection. Leaks in differentials can again lead to power loss issues and break downs in the long run if they go unchecked.
10. Hydraulics powers all the hard work that the machines does. Fluid levels, drainage and leaks of hydraulic oils should be kept in check. Low oil levels can affect the performance of the machine while drainage and leaks can cause power loss and malfunction if gone unchecked
11. Check if the covers are damaged and if guards are secure
12. Batteries and hold downs need to be checked for loose nuts, bolts and cleanliness. Loose nuts and bolts in the battery and dirt at connection points can cause the battery to under perform and get discharged faster.
13. Fuel tanks tend to get dirty very fast and need to be kept clean to ensure no debris make it into the engine. Fuel levels if below 30% should be topped off. Any damage to the fuel tank must be reported and repaired immediately. Leaks, drain water and sediment in the tank are signs of bad maintenance.
14. Hydraulic cylinders, tubes, hoses and fittings should be checked for any damage, leaks wear and tear from working in harsh conditions at construction sites. Damage to hydraulic cylinders brings down the performance and can result in major expenses due to system break down.
15. Circle drive leaks should be checked and repaired if any are found.
16. Front wheel spindle bearings should be checked for leaks and should be reported and repaired immediately if any are found
17. All wheel drive motors should be checked extensively for damage and leaks. Damage to the wheel drive motor can bring the grader to a stand still if left unchecked.
18. Blade linkage should be checked for damage and loose or missing bolts. Damage to the linkage can eventually lead to damage to the whole linkage system and by extension the blade too.
19. Blade and end bits need to be checked for excessive wear or damage. The blade is at the forefront of the war being done on site at receives the most stress during execution so should be kept in the best of states at all times and cleaned regularly to ensure rust doesn’t set in.
20. Over all the machine should be checked for loose or missing nuts & bolts in addition to loose guards, the over all wear and tear of the machine and its cleanliness.
Engine compartment:
1. Engine oil Fluid levels should be checked and topped up if required, with appropriate quality and quantity of the recommended oil.
2. Engine coolant fluid levels should be checked properly and topped off as required. Low levels of coolant may lead the engine to heat up too much and cause damage.
3. Engine pre cleaner dirt build up should be checked.
4. Air filter restriction indicator should be monitored. Choked air filter can lead to poorer performance of the machine and also increased fuel intake.
5. Radiator Fin should be checked for blockage and leaks. Radiators are essential in helping keep the engine cool enough to ensure optimal performance.
6. All hoses should regularly be checked for cracks, wear spots, leaks. Weak spots can give in and cause major damage unless monitored regularly with inspections and maintenance. Hoses again have to manage a lot of harsh conditions and need additional scrutiny to ensure the machine keeps running at optimal efficiency.
7. All belts should be checked for tightness, wear and cracks. Loose belts cause increased loss of power during the transfer. Belts may break and cause damage if the wear and tear isnt kept in check.
8. Over all engine compartment should be kept clean and tidy. Dirt and grease build up in the compartment affects the performance of the engine negatively.
Outside the cab:
1. Light lenses should be checked for cleanness and damages. Dirty lenses reduce the lighting necessary for the operator to have the adequate visibility required when working at night or early evenings
2. Mirrors and windows should be checked for damage and cleanliness. Dirty windows and mirrors affect operator visibility and can led to accidents.
3. Windshield wipers and washers Wear, damage, fluid level should be checked and topped up as and when required
Inside the cab
1. SeatAdjustment and pedal travel should be checked. Pedal travel should be checked to ensure that the pedals are functioning properly and arent jammed.
2. Seat belt &mounting should be checked for damage, wear and adjustment. They are mandatory for the safety of the operator when operating the machine.
3. Fire Extinguishers have to be present in the cabin and be charged. Any damage to fire extinguishers should be reported. Fires getting out of hand can cause a lot of damage.
4. Horn, backup alarm and lights should be checked to ensure they are functioning properly. Failure of any of these things can lead to accidents on rather noisy sites.
5. Controls and gauge lenses should be checked for damage, cleanliness andits operational states. Malfunctioning gauges and controls can led to under or over utilisation of the machines and eventually cause damage.
6. Overall Cab InteriorCleanliness should be maintained.
Regular maintenance and inspection is necessary to keep the machine in the a robust condition to get all the necessary work done without burning a huge hole in the owners pockets and at the same time mining larger profits from using the machine.
