An equipment walk-around inspection is an important part of effective preventive maintenance. Inspections should take place before starting the machine, with operators using a checklist and following the identical process and procedure before every shift. After careful inspection of the exterior, it’s time to take a closer look at the condition of the engine compartment of your Cat® construction equipment.
Watch the following quick tip video as a representative from Caterpillar demonstrates the proper way to inspect a small wheel loader engine compartment.
Video Transcript
Hi, I’m Colin with today’s Quick Tip.
Before starting your machine it’s important to perform a daily walk around.
After you’ve completed your walk around on the exterior, you’ll also want to check the engine compartment.
First, check the engine enclosure screens for damage or foreign material.
Then, inspect the engine compartment looking for debris as well as any leaks from the engine as well as the fuel filters.
Check your engine oil to ensure proper levels and look for any possible contamination.
Check the air cleaner service indicator, check the coolant level, inspect the fuel cooler, hydraulic oil cooler, the charge air cooler and hydraulic oil filter for debris and leaks.
Check the fins on the heat exchangers, ensure none of the fins are bent.
Inspect the fan enclosure and fan motor for leaks and broken fan blades.
Check the radiator as well as the fuel cap.
Inspect the hydraulic oil filter.
Look for signs of exhaust leaks around the turbo and exhaust manifold.
Inspect the v-belt for any cracking and also confirm proper tension.
Check air intake hoses to ensure they are intact and that all connections are secure.
Finally, look under the machine to make sure there are no leaks or any other problems that you may have overlooked.
Following these steps will help keep your machine working longer and more efficiently.
That’s been today’s Quick Tip, thanks for watching.
Make Inspecting the Engine Compartment Part of Your Daily Routine
This instructional video can serve as training for new operators or as a refresher course on conducting a thorough walk-around inspection for more experienced drivers. By accessing the engine enclosure screen and checking the fan encloser and fan motor, radiator and fuel cap, you’ll be able to identify signs of extensive wear and tear. Additional areas covered in the video include inspecting the fuel cooler, charge air cooler and hydraulic coil filter, hydraulic oil filter, air intake hoses, fins on the heat exchangers and V-belt for clues your machine requires maintenance.
Finding debris that causes air flow blockage, leaks in the engine, low oil levels or dirty fuel filters only takes a few minutes and can help you avoid extensive downtime and costly repairs. Even a quick final visual inspection under and around the machine could reveal leaks or additional signs it’s time to schedule professional services. Diligently conducting daily checks will ensure the equipment in your fleet remains healthy and productive over its long service life.
MacAllister Machinery for Preventive Maintenance
We are the authorized Cat dealer for Indiana and Michigan with convenient locations to service your equipment throughout the region. In addition to our large inventory of parts, equipment and accessories, we offer a broad range of solutions for maintaining your fleet. We provide everything from factory-recommended services and inspections to repairs and replacements of complete systems and components.
When you partner with us, you benefit from:
- Top-quality work performed by factory-trained technicians
- Advanced diagnostic and S.O.S. fluid analysis capabilities
- In-house and on-site service with available 24/7 emergency support
- Comprehensive fleet management and monitoring solutions
Click here for more preventive maintenance tips from MacAllister Machinery. Contact us to request assistance from a knowledgeable member of our team.