when you check and inspect commercial vehicles

P bar Y Safety Consultants Canada

When you check and INSPECTa Commercial vehicle

THE SAME MIND SET IS FOR DRIVERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS A LIKE when checking tractor or body job vehicles

properly


Safely•Safety for yourself and others.

•I will value safety over production.

•A defect found during an inspection could• save you problems later. Preventive Maintenance •**Federal and Provincial State laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles.


Look for:

LeaksHanging itemsLoose partsLeaningTire conditionTop of vehicleAny sign of visual damageKEEP THE KEYS IN

YOUR POCKET

Approaching the Vehicle


Check the CoolantCheck while cold

Check Radiator Top and Connections

Check Washer Fluid fill if low

Look for loose parts, damage, leaks or wear

Engine Compartment


Check All Belts ½ inch play maximum

Check the Alternator frayed wires, lose connections, mounted firmly

Check the Water Pump Look for leaks and if mounted securely

Sometimes difficult to see – mounted behind components on some trucks – follow heater hoses

Some gear driven - some belt driven

Engine Compartment


Check Exhaust Components from the manifold to the top of stack

Look for Black Streaks Showing Leaks

Check the Oil Level Fill as Needed (gallons not quarts)

Check the Fan Shroud and the Fan BladesShroud Secure and Blades Intact

Engine Compartment


Check Exhaust Components for Leaks

Check from the turbo to the top of the stacks for leaks

Look for Black Streaks Showing Leaks

Exhaust Inspection


Check the Air Compressor to make sure it is secure

Check for leaks

Examine the hoses to see if there are cracks

Check if belt or gear driven

If belt driven – check the belt condition

Checking the Air Compressor


Check the level of the power steering fluid

Check the hoses and follow the lines to the pump and steering box

Check the power steering pump for leaks and see that it is secure

All power steering components are to be checked on a pre-trip

Checking the Power Steering Fluid


Check the Steering Box to see that it is secure

Check that the bolts are all in place and tight

Check the seals at the top and at the side for leaks

Check the power steering hoses coming into the box and see that there are no leaks and the

hoses are in good condition

Checking the Steering Box


Check the Steering Linkage after the steering box

Check the Pitman Arm

Check the Drag Link

Check the Steering Arm

Check the Tie Rod

Make sure all are secure and that the castle nuts are tight and the cotter keys in

place

Checking the Steering Linkage


Steering System Defects

• If power steering equipped: hoses, pumps and fluid level, check for leaks.

• Missing nuts, bolts, cotter keys or other parts from steering arms or linkages.


Look for cracks and illegal welds the entire length of the frame

Inspect all items bolted to the frame to see they are secure

Check the Frame


Look for cracks and illegal welds* the entire length of the frame

Examine the frame anywhere you can see it

Parts and accessories shall not be welded to the frame or chassis of a CMV except in

accordance with the vehicle mfg recommendations. Any welding of the frame must also be in accordance with the vehicle

manufacturer’s recommendations.

Check the Entire Frame


Check shackle and mount for movement & loose parts

Check paint seams along frame and bolts for movement

Check that the spring is secure and all

bolts tight and in place

Check that the U-Bolts are tight, in place and not broken

Check that all bolts are secure

Check the Spring Mounts


Check that the leafs are secure, not cracked, broken,

bent or shifting out of position

No leaf spring shall be cracked, broken, missing,

nor shifted out of position.

Check the Spring Leafs


Check the Shock Absorbers

Check that the shocks are mounted securely

Check that the bolts are tight

Check that there are no visible oil leaks from the

shocks

Examine the rubber bushings to make sure they

are not falling apart

Check the Shock Absorbers


Suspension System Defects:

•Cracked or broken spring hangers

•Broken leaves that have shifted and may hit a tire.

•Any loose, cracked, broken or missing frame members.


Suspension System Defects:

•Leaking shock absorbers•Torque rod or arm, u-bolts, spring hangers or other axle positioning parts that are cracked, damaged or missing.

•Air suspension systems that are damaged and/or leaking.


No loose fittings

No cracks, bulges, or leaks

Look at air lines wherever they are visible

Listen for air leaks

Check Brake Lines and Hoses


Check that the brake chamber or canister

is secure and not leaking

Check the mounting and chamber bolts

(

Check the Brake Chambers


Check that they are secure – bolts, cotter

pins, etc.

When brakes are NOT set check that there is no more than 1 inch of slack

When brakes are set the angle shown should be

greater than 90 degrees

Check the Slack Adjusters


Inspect each brake drum for cracks and illegal welds,

gouges, grooves

Examine each drum and feel the inside ridge to make sure it is

smooth with even wear

Check the Brake Drums


Inspect each wheel and examine the brake shoes

Measure the thickness at the center of the shoe

No shoe lining should be less that ¼ inch at the thinnest point (the center

of the shoe)

Look for oil leaking onto shoes and into drum from wheel seals

Check the Brake Shoes


Brake Componenet Defects

• Cracked drums.• Shoes or pads with any fluid leaks-oil or grease or any

other contaminants.• Shoes worn dangerously thin, missing, or broken.


Inspect each wheel inside and out

Examine it for cracks and illegal welds

Rust around lug nuts Loose or missing lugs

Missing clamps, spacers, studs, or lugs

Check the RimAnd Wheels


Inspect each wheel inside and out

Examine it for cracks and illegal welds

Check the bead around each edge to make sure it is intact and not bent. Any bend or damage could cause a break in the bead

and cause the tire to leak

Check the Rim


Check the lug nuts on each wheel

Feel each nut by hand to make sure it is snug

Look for rust stains on steel wheels and black streaks on aluminum wheels – these

stains can indicate a loose lug nut

A loose lug nut on an aluminum wheel can cause severe damage quickly

Check the Lug Nuts


Check the reservoir to see that the oil is at the proper level

Look for leaks around the edge of the seal and plug

Some reservoirs require you to remove the cap while others can be inspected

through the plastic housing

Home

Check the Hub Oil Reservoir


Check the Tires

Check the inner sidewall

Check the bead around each edge to make sure it is intact and not bent.

Check the tread area

4/32” depth on steer tires

Other tires have a tread depth of 2/32”

Check the outer sidewall

Tire Inspection


Defects come in all shapes and sizes

Defective Tires


Rear of Truck

Check that the drive shaft is not bent

See that no debris is entangled around the shaft

Check the shaft to see that the U-joints are tight

Welds on the drive shaft are OK (they are welded together when manufactured)

While under the truck check the frame again

Check the Drive Line


Check the Rear Drive Assembly

Inside

Check the remaining axles of

the vehicle the same as you did in

the front

Check and name the same

components on every axle

Check the Rear Drive Assembly


When checking the tires and brakes check the spacers or space between the

tires and wheels

If there are no spacers check the space for debris and clearance

There must be a space between the tires

Check the Drive Wheel Space/Spacers


Check the splash guards at the rear of the tractor

Make sure they are secure and not falling off

Check for damage that will make them ineffective

Check the Splash Guards


Rear of Truck

Check the remaining axles of the vehicle the same as you did in the

front

Check the same components on every axle

Check the Rear Drive Assembly-Outside


Side of Vehicle

Open the box and examine the batteries

No frayed wires

Batteries bolted down securely

No spilled fluid

Check steps to see if they are secure

Batteries

Check the Batteries


Hydraulic Fluid Check


Check all items in the cab for proper operation and so

driver will be familiar with all operating controls of all

equipment.

In Cab Inspection


Check the Seat Belt and Shoulder StrapCheck for damage and that it works

properly

Check for FusesIf the truck uses circuit breakers are they

not required. Check the Fire Extinguisher

Expiration Tag Valid Secured to VehicleGauge in the GreenCheck the Triangles

Must have 3 working triangles on board

Safety Equipment


Check the Warning Lights

As soon as you turn the key watch the

Warning Lights

Look at the lights and determine if all of them are working

Check the Warning Lights


CHECK AND FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH ALL GAUGES,INSTRUMENTS, AND CONTROLS

GAUGES, INSTRUMENTS, AND CONTROLS


Check All Mirrors and Glass

Check the Left and Right MirrorsCheck the Side Windows and Glass

Check the Windshield

Each windshield shall be free of damage in the area extending upward

from the height of the top of the steering wheel to within a two inch border from the top and a one inch

border on either side.

In Cab Inspection


Check the city horn

Check the air horn

Regulations state: there must be at least one working

audible horn that gives an adequate and reliable

warning signal

Check the Horns


During the light check inspect the interior indicator lights

Check the Left and Right Turn Signal Indicators

Check the 4 Way Flasher Indicators

Check the High Beam Indicator

Check the Indicator Lights


In Cab Inspection

Requires all CMV operators to have basic air brake knowledge

At 120 psi

Release the trailer brakes / set the tractor brakes(Red Button IN

Yellow Button OUT)

Pull against the tractor brakes to see that they hold

Release the tractor brakes / set the trailer brakes(Red Button OUTYellow Button IN)

Pull against the trailer brakes to see that they hold

Brake Test


In Cab Inspection

Check the Air Brakes

Begin the Test by Applying the Foot Brake or Treadle Valve

Hold Pedal for 1 Minute

Air Loss Should be Less Than 3 Lbs for the Truck/Tractor

&Less Than 1 Lb for Each Trailer

Combination Vehicle = 4 Lbs

Brake Test 2


In Cab Inspection


Pump Down the Air Pressure to About 60 Lbs

At About 60 Lbs the Low Air Warning Light Should Light

on the Dash

(Remember: the engine is OFF but the key is ON)

Brake Test 3


In Cab Inspection


Pump Down the Air Pressure to Between 40 & 20 Lbs

Between 40 & 20 Lbs the Spring Brakes Will Set and the Brake Buttons Will Pop Out

(Remember: the engine is OFF but the key is ON)

Brake Test 4


In Cab Inspection


Start the Engine

Buzzer Still Sounds Indicating Low Air Buzzer Works Properly

Rebuild Air Pressure. Air Pressure should Build From 85- 100 PSI in 45 Seconds or

Less

Brake Test 5


Check the Truck/Tractor Parking Brakes

Requires all CMV operators to have basic air brake

knowledge

At 120 psiPull against the trailer brakes

to see that they hold

Parking Brake Test



Brake Leak Test



Low Air Warning Device


Check the Air BrakesThe third part of the air brake test is a test of the Spring Brakes. This part is conducted with the key either On or OFF and the engine NOT running. You can leave the key on for the short time that this part will take. With the key on the buzzer will be sounding for both low air and oil pressures.

This part of the test requires you to continue pumping down the air brakes until the pressure reaches somewhere between 40 and 20 psi. Somewhere between those 2 pressures the RED and YELLOW buttons will pop out. This will indicate that the spring brakes have set and that the test was successful.

Again, if the test did not produce the required results, you will need to contact a mechanic to fix the problem.

But, how do we know that the buzzer works for the Low Air warning? We know it works fine for the Low Oil Pressure but not the Air. The next step will solve this problem.

Tractor Protection Valve



Start the Engine

Low Air Pressure Light/Buzzer Still Works

Properly

Rebuild Air Pressure. Air Pressure should Build

From 85- 100 PSI in 45 Seconds or Less

Air Governor Test


SEE AND BE SEEN

No CMV shall be driven when any of

the lights or reflective devices

required are obscured by the

tailboard, any part of the load, or dirt

or any added vehicle or work

equipment.

External Light Check


392.33

No CMV shall be driven when any of the lights or reflective devices required are obscured by the

tailboard, any part of the load, or dirt or any added vehicle or work equipment.

Check the Right and Left Turn Signals

Check the 4 Way Flashers

Check the Clearance Lights

Check the Low Beam Head Lights

Check the High Beam Head Lights

External Light Check-Regulation

when you check and inspect commercial vehicles

Law