Back

An Inspection Guide for Toro® Heavy Equipment

Jun. 26 2019 Miscellaneous By ___

Share

As any seasoned heavy equipment owner will tell you, one of the most important things you’ll need to do as an operator is perform regular inspections. This should happen on a daily basis, checking all the basic functions to ensure they’ll perform safely and efficiently. While all Toro® equipment will give you fantastic performance, your machine will give to you what you give to it. If you take care of it, it’ll continue to perform to the best of its ability. If you just cross your fingers and hope for the best, then your machine will probably wear down faster than it should.

This can include many steps, so FMI Equipment has provided you a guide to keep you productive and organized during your inspection. If you need additional help, stop by our location in Spokane Valley, Washington, near Spokane, to chat with one of our friendly professionals. We also serve our neighbors in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

First Things First

Before you blindly follow our guide, make sure you pull out and review your owner’s manual for each piece of equipment you own. This is where you’ll find the most helpful and specific information on your particular model. You’ll probably find there are many commonalities from one inspection guide to the next, but the devil’s in the details, so make sure you know them.

Daily Inspection

Daily inspection can also simply mean before every use. What you want to know is if your equipment is ready to work. If you work with these machines on a professional basis, then know daily inspections are part of OSHA requirements. Involve equipment managers and supervisors, primary operators, and anyone else who can contribute to this process or benefit from it.

Safety

As important as efficiency is, your first priority when performing your inspection should be operator safety. If there’s any doubt in your mind that your Toro® equipment will perform in a way that’s safe for the person in the cab, then halt work with that particular model until your concerns are addressed. Some key areas that might affect safety include:

  • Brakes
  • Coupling devices
  • Seat belts
  • The parking system
  • Safety devices
  • Steering mechanism

This doesn’t cover everything, but it should get you started.

The List

Now to get down to business. Everything we list below should be on your checklist, in addition to anything else you might want to add for your particular model.

  • Tires/undercarriage: Whatever the foundation of your machine is, whether it’s tires or tracks, you’ll want to look for signs of damage or excessive wear.
  • Engine check: Check all fluid levels and condition, from hydraulic oil to exhaust fluid to coolant. Clear out debris and check the filters to see if they need replacing.
  • Leaking fluid: Simply looking on the ground for pools of liquid that aren’t condensation can signal a problem.
  • Frame: Look for structural damage, dents, and scratches, no matter how big or small they may be.
  • The arms: Grease the arms as needed and make sure everything’s going to work when you start up the engine.
  • Attachments: Whatever attachment you’re using for the day, make sure it’s in good working condition as well. This can not only improve efficiency, but prevent damage to your bigger pieces of equipment.
  • Operator tools: This includes mirrors, cab features, and technologies that all assist the operator in doing their job.

Once you gain a little experience, you’ll be the expert on your Toro® equipment. You’ll be able to add to and adjust your checklist as needed in order to create a productive day each and every time. If you do run into trouble and find you can’t fix it on your own, contact the service department at FMI Equipment. We’ll set you up with one of our experienced technicians to get you back in business. We welcome all patrons from Spokane and Spokane Valley, Washington, as well as Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.