Skid steer inspection checklist
Lift arms, coupler, hydraulics and the safety bar
Skid steers work hard and get checked less than they should. Most of the damage on one comes from the same few places: the quick coupler, the lift arm pivots, the hoses and the seat bar. This list takes about ninety seconds. Check your model's manual for grease points and fluid levels.
Outside the machine
- Tires or tracks. Tires: pressure, cuts and bulges. Tracks: tension, missing lugs and debris packed in the undercarriage.
- Lift arms and pivot pins. Look for cracks near the pivots, loose or missing pin retainers, and grease at each fitting.
- Quick coupler and attachment. Attachment pins fully extended and locked, the coupler lever or lock set, and the attachment moves as one with the coupler when you pull on it.
- Bucket, forks or attachment. Cutting edge or teeth not worn through, forks not bent or cracked, hoses on powered attachments routed safely.
- Hydraulic hoses and cylinders. Wet, cracked or rubbing hoses and leaking fittings. Check around the lift cylinders.
- Guards, lights and decals. Rear window and screens intact, working lights, and the safety decals still readable.
Engine bay
- Engine oil, coolant and hydraulic oil. Level ground, engine off, and check each against the dipstick or sight glass.
- Air filter and radiator. Clean the radiator and cooler screens. Skid steers pack chaff and dirt fast.
- Fuel, belts and battery. Enough fuel, belts tight and unfrayed, terminals clean.
- Leaks under the machine. Fresh puddles are a faster warning than gauges.
Cab and controls
- Seat bar or restraint. Lowers and latches fully, and the interlock keeps the lift and drive locked when it is up. If the interlock fails, park it.
- Seat belt. Latches and is not frayed.
- Controls and parking brake. Joysticks or pedals return to neutral and the machine does not creep.
- Horn, backup alarm and lights. Test each one.
- Gauges and warning lights. Nothing lit that should not be after start-up.
- Fire extinguisher. Present and charged.
After start-up
- Cycle the lift and tilt. Raise, lower and tilt slowly. Listen for knocks, and watch for a drifting arm or bucket.
- Drive and steer. A short drive each way to check the brakes and that it steers straight.
When to take it out of service
Park it for a failed seat bar interlock, a missing or unlocked attachment pin, a leaking hose at pressure, a cracked lift arm, a seat belt that will not latch, or brakes that do not hold. Write up worn tires, a cracked window or a dim light and schedule the repair.
Keep a record you can show
RigCheck puts this list on a sticker on the machine, so the operator scans it, taps Pass or Fail, and you hear about a failed safety item right away. The first 14 days are free, with no card.
See also: daily equipment inspection checklist · all guides. RigCheck is a record-keeping tool and does not replace any inspection your regulator requires.