Daily Walk‑Around Inspection Tips for Cat Equipment: Prevent Breakdowns & Boost Safety

The most important part of equipment operation happens before you get in the machine. Daily walk-around inspections help you control expenses and ensure your safety. By taking the time to inspect your Cat equipment before you use it, you can prevent major breakdowns and safety incidents in the future.

In the quick tip video below, Colin from Caterpillar® explains how to complete a walk-around inspection on a small wheel loader. You can apply these tips to just about any type of equipment by considering the important components of your machine.

Elements of an Equipment Walk-Around Inspection

Perform a walk-around inspection at the start of every shift before you start your machine. Pay attention to the following parts of the equipment during a small wheel loader inspection.

General Condition

When you begin your walk-around, start with the basic components by:

• Checking your machine’s transmission fluid
• Inspecting hoses and couplings — remember not to check hydraulic hoses with your fingers
• Looking for loose lug nuts and wear in the driveline area

Lift Arms

Next, inspect the lift arms in equipment that features them by:

• Looking for wear in the pin areas and couplers
• Checking for loose or leaking hose clamps, lines or fittings
• Inspecting greasing tubes for damage

Bucket or Attachment

If your equipment has an attachment, inspect it by:

• Making sure the bucket’s cutting edge stays square with the ground and has no damage
• Looking for cracked welds or unusual wear on the attachment
• Examining the cylinder rod and tilt cylinder rod

Wheels and Tires

Give every wheel and tire a thorough look with these inspections:

• Reviewing the tires for embedded debris, damage, tread condition and sidewall condition
• Checking the tire pressure
• Looking at the center articulation area

Engine Compartment

Evaluate your engine compartment with these quick checks:

• Examining the radiator and fan housing for damage
• Checking the engine dipstick with a white towel — a “bull’s eye” appearance on the towel will indicate the presence of fuel
• Looking for leaks and damage throughout the whole compartment

Operator Cab

Finally, complete these steps in your cab:

• Inspecting and cleaning the external mirrors, interior mirrors, window glass, floor and interior
• Testing all indicator lights for function
• Checking the fuel level

Reasons to Choose NMC CAT for Equipment Services

Clients throughout Nebraska and parts of Iowa count on their local NMC CAT dealership for:

• Comprehensive services: Rely on our network of NMC CAT dealerships for everything you need for your equipment. We offer sales, rentals and service to keep your fleet at maximum productivity.
• Expert support from the Caterpillar network: When you buy Cat equipment from one of our dealerships, you’ll get all of the amenities associated with Caterpillar. Enjoy benefits such as extended warranties, online parts catalogs and much more.
• Dependable support: Call on our team when you need help with your equipment or services. We offer after-hours emergency service at select NMC CAT locations.

Contact Our Team Today

NMC Cat serves Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and all of Nebraska. Discover our products and services by browsing our website or contacting an NMC CAT location near you.

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