Heavy Equipment Mobile Inspection App

If you work in an industry that relies on heavy, specialized, and expensive equipment to get your job done, you know how financially devastating it can be when this kind of equipment malfunctions or breaks down. Missed deadlines, unfinished projects, unhappy customers and missed opportunities are all potential issues when there is an inability to use heavy machinery.

To avoid this, most businesses that use heavy equipment create a custom heavy equipment inspection checklist to help them catch small issues before they become big problems. Adhering to this kind of checklist also helps prevent accidents and is designed to keep workers safe.

Device Magic is often used as a mobile inspection app for heavy equipment, allowing you to build custom inspection reports and checklist that your team can easily access out in the field, even when they’re offline.

What is a Heavy Equipment Inspection Checklist?

A heavy equipment inspection checklist is a document used across various industries that use heavy machinery and equipment. This document is a detailed form that helps workers and site supervisors carefully inspect this specialized equipment to ensure it is working correctly, receives regular maintenance, and meets all relevant safety standards. The ability to access your heavy equipment inspection reports through a mobile app can improve efficiency for your team and help to ensure that important information is recorded correctly.

What To Include On A Heavy Equipment Inspection Checklist

The problem with using a cookie-cutter inspection checklist is that it probably won’t cover every type of heavy machinery that you use, and won’t address specific issues that are important to your company.

A custom-built form, however, allows you to create a checklist tailored specifically to the needs of your business and the equipment that you’re using. While all checklists will be a little different depending on the industry, here are several areas you should always include to create a comprehensive heavy equipment inspection checklist for your business:

Electrical Systems

Regardless of the type of heavy machinery you are using, checking the electrical systems (such as the lights and the battery) is essential to ensure they are working properly. This includes a thorough check of the engine compartment and all of its features. When checking over the electrical systems of your equipment:

• Ensure battery is connected and charged
• Check the front and rear lights
• Test back up alarms
• Inspect covers and guards in the engine compartment to ensure they are installed properly
• Confirm belts and hoses are connected properly

Brake Systems

Knowing how to stop a heavy piece of equipment is just as important as knowing how to make it go. The brake systems in some of this specialized equipment can be complicated and multi-faceted. This is why a thorough inspection is crucial for peak machine performance and worksite safety. When checking over the brake systems of your equipment:

• Check for air and fluid leaks
• Perform brake system diagnostic tests
• Identify any hardware or valves in the braking systems that need to be replaced
• Test the parking brake

Tires & Wheels

If you are using the equipment on a construction site, it is important that the wheels and tires are in good condition and can navigate rocky and uneven terrain safely. Here’s what to look for:

• Check for nails or other forms of debris in the tires
• Check rims for visible damage
• Check tires for excessive wear

If you use equipment that runs on tracks instead of wheels, it may be harder to identify and diagnose any issues with this part of the machine. If you suspect issues with the steering or the way a tracked vehicle navigates the worksite, it is recommended to call the experts that specialize in this kind of equipment. If you have this kind of equipment, be sure to include the following on your checklist:

• Rollers
• Idler wheels
• Sprockets
• Shoes and links (for metal tracks)
• Tension and torsion axles (for rubber tracks)

Operator Cab Inspection

The interior cab of most heavy machinery should be inspected regularly. This is the area where a driver sits and controls the machines. It should be clean, organized, and inspected for safety hazards:

• Ensure all steps, handrails, and grab bars are secure and safe
• Check the undercarriage for any loose parts or debris
• Inspect all windows and mirrors to ensure you can see all around you at all times
• If the machine has wipers, check that they effectively clear the windshield and the wiper fluid is topped off
• Check that the seatbelt, safety harness, and all corresponding elements are working properly
• Test the horn
• Make sure all gauges and switches are working. Check the control panel for any warning lights

Fluid Inspection

An important part of preventive maintenance for commercial vehicles, industrial equipment and heavy machinery is checking all fluid levels. Looking for puddles around the equipment will help you quickly spot an internal problem. Some fluids that should be inspected and topped off regularly include:

• Engine oil
• Engine coolant
• Hydraulic oil
• Fuel tank inspection
• Transmission

Operator Safety & Training

Heavy machinery safety is not just about checking the nuts and bolts of a piece of equipment. It is also about making sure everyone who uses the machinery is trained in the best use of the equipment. In most industries, anyone who operates heavy machinery must be certified and undergo complete heavy equipment training.

This not only reduces your chances of being liable for a workplace accident involving this equipment, but also prolongs the life of your equipment and reduces accidents.

Create Custom Inspection Reports with Device Magic

If your business is reliant upon heavy machinery and specialized industrial equipment, you must begin to use thorough, customized inspection reports. With a simple drag-and-drop interface, Device Magic mobile forms is the industry leader in easy to build custom forms with all of the features you need, which you can then edit and access even when you’re offline.

Try Device Magic for a free 14-day trial and build a custom heavy machinery inspection checklist today.