Inspecting your farm equipment can prevent major repairs and ensure it remains in optimal working condition. Partnering with professional and experienced service technicians makes the process much easier, as they work with various farming equipment every day and can quickly identify whether you might need services.

Inspections will generally consist of checking for leaks, assessing wear and tear and taking oil samples. Each step of the process can help you prevent costly repairs, reduce downtime and maximize productivity. Here's what to expect from a professional heavy equipment inspection:

Fluid 

In an agriculture equipment inspection, it's crucial to check the fluid levels of your farming equipment. This is especially important if you notice fluid leaking around the equipment, as this can indicate an internal problem. To keep your equipment in optimal condition, professionals will perform a thorough inspection of machine fluids and related areas:

• Engine and hydraulic oil
• Engine coolant
• Transmission
• Fuel water separator
• Diesel exhaust fluid

Adequate levels of these fluids help your equipment function to the best of its abilities, reducing wear and tear and extending its life span. This crucial step in heavy equipment inspection can ensure safe and reliable operation — contributing to productivity and the overall success of your operations.

Engine Compartment and Electrical Components

It's crucial to regularly check your equipment's engine compartment and electrical components. Doing so can help you keep your farm safe and productive. Professionals can perform a thorough evaluation that might include:

• Switching front and rear lights on and off
• Testing the equipment's back-up alarms
• Ensuring the engine battery is charged
• Ensuring all belts, hoses and hydraulic hoses are connected properly and not damaged
• Making sure engine compartment covers and guards are properly installed
• Looking for and removing any debris in the engine compartment
• Ensuring a functional exhaust and muffler system

An engine compartment inspection can help identify signs of leaks, wear or damage. In the electrical system, professionals can ensure your lights are functioning, including headlights and signal indicators. That way, you can stay safe during dawn, dusk or night work.

Identifying any issues in these areas can help you prevent breakdowns in the field, improve your fuel efficiency and ensure operator safety. Professionals can perform regular inspections to keep your operations running smoothly while reducing costly repairs.

Operator Cab

Inspecting the operator cab is crucial for the safety and comfort of your operator. Keeping this area clean, safe and organized can also contribute to productivity. Here's what's included in a cab inspection:

• Ensuring all steps, handrails and grab bars are secure
• Inspecting windows and mirrors to configure them and optimize visibility
• Checking wiper fluid levels and ensuring they can clear the windshield
• Evaluating the seatbelt, safety harness and other safety-related components 
• Testing the horn 
• Ensuring the operator control panel or display screen works properly
• Checking for active error codes
• Evaluating the climate control system for effective heating and cooling

Additionally, you'll want to ensure the operator's seat and controls are comfortably adjusted. An ergonomically designed seat can reduce fatigue during long working hours. 

Professionals can also plug a diagnostic tool or scanner into your equipment's onboard diagnostic port. The tool will retrieve active error codes from your machinery and help them determine how to address malfunctions or issues affecting its operation.

Wheels and Tracks

Whether you're operating equipment with wheels or tracks, you'll want to keep these components in good working condition. Doing so is especially important to help avoid ground or field disturbances while working. Here's what professionals will look for on wheeled machines:

• Debris or air leaks in the tires
• Excessive wear and tear
• Rim damage

It can be more challenging to detect undercarriage issues if you operate track machines. As a result, you'll want to partner with a reputable equipment service provider to see if service is needed. Professionals will examine the following on this machinery:

• Rollers, sprockets and idler wheels
• Tension and torsion axles on rubber track machines
• Shoes and links on metal track equipment

A well-maintained undercarriage can ensure equipment stability, optimal traction and safe operation in rough terrain.

Brake Systems

Checking the braking system on your equipment is especially important for farm safety. Brake systems are complicated and specialized machinery, emphasizing the need for a professional inspection tailored to your specific equipment.

In general, professionals will examine the following:

• Air or fluid leaks
• Brake system diagnostic tests
• Excess wear on brake system components that need a replacement

You should also have your brake lights, rear reflectors, headlamps and functional stop lamps assessed to ensure the braking system is safe and in good working condition.

Safety Systems

While it's crucial to inspect all of the above to keep your equipment operating safely, professionals can make sure the following features are also working properly to protect operators:

• Verifying emergency shutdown systems work, such as kill switches and emergency stop buttons
• Ensuring all safety lights and signals are operational
• Confirming that brakes, steering systems and transmission controls are functioning properly
• Inspecting seatbelts and other safety restraints
• Ensuring fire extinguishers and first aid kits are in place and fully equipped
• Confirming all safety labels and warning signs are legible and in place

Evaluating these safety systems can help your operators stay safe and ensure your equipment is prepared to handle unforeseen challenges or emergencies. Overall, this inspection can contribute to a safer and more secure working environment on the farm.

Partner With Holt Ag Solutions for Equipment Services 

You rely on your equipment to work efficiently and stay profitable. Ensuring your equipment is in proper condition can help you maintain your productivity and prevent the need for costly repairs. To keep your operations running smoothly, partner with Holt Ag Solutions. We provide comprehensive ag equipment inspections to ensure your equipment is in safe and optimal working condition.

Partnering with us means safety, compliance and peace of mind. Our goal is to ensure your machines are well-maintained. If breakdowns occur, our highly experienced technicians will act quickly to resolve any service issues you might be experiencing. We can help you enhance the efficiency and longevity of your agricultural machinery.

Fill out our service request form to schedule an inspection today.