Free dump truck 250-hour service checklist
Enter your email below to download the PDF-ready service procedure. No account required.
A step-by-step 250-hour (minor) service procedure for articulated dump trucks and rigid dump trucks. Covers engine oil and filter change, air filter inspection, transmission and differential oil level checks, dump body hydraulic system, driveline greasing, steering and suspension grease points, tyre pressures and condition, dump body inspection, electrical checks and safety device testing. Includes fluid specifications, parts list and technician sign-off. This page explains what the service involves, how to perform it, and offers a free PDF-ready form you can download straight away.
Last updated: 2026-03-26 · MapTrack
Commercial Director
How to use: Fill equipment details and hour reading, then work through each service action. Tick Done as each task is completed. Record fluid quantities and part numbers used. Set the next service due hours and sign off.
- ✓ PDF-ready. Open and print to PDF
- ✓ Includes fluid specs, parts list and sign-off
- ✓ Free to use with or without MapTrack
Download free PDF template
Trusted by Australian contractors and maintenance teams
We use your email to send your download and occasional MapTrack updates. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy
Preview the template
See the first part of the service procedure below. Enter your email above to download the full dump truck 250-hour service procedure (PDF-ready).
What is a dump truck 250-hour service?
A 250-hour service is the first tier of scheduled preventive maintenance for an articulated dump truck (ADT) or rigid dump truck. It is performed every 250 engine hours (or approximately every 4-6 weeks of full-time operation) and is classified as a minor service. The procedure covers engine oil and filter replacement, air filter inspection, fuel system maintenance, transmission and differential oil level checks, hydraulic system checks for the dump body, driveline greasing, steering and suspension grease points, tyre inspection, dump body structural inspection, electrical system checks and safety device testing. Unlike a daily pre-start check (which confirms the machine is safe to operate), the 250-hour service involves actual maintenance actions: draining and replacing fluids, replacing filters, greasing components and inspecting for wear. It is typically performed by a qualified mechanic or fitter, not the operator.
Benefits of scheduled dump truck servicing
- Reduced breakdowns: regular oil, filter and fluid changes prevent engine, transmission and differential failures that cause unplanned downtime on site.
- Extended component life: clean oil and correct lubrication reduce wear on engine, transmission, differentials, dump body hydraulics and driveline universal joints.
- Lower repair costs: a 250-hour service costs a fraction of an emergency breakdown repair. Catching issues early prevents cascading damage.
- Operator safety: inspecting safety devices, brakes, tyres, dump body integrity and hydraulic hoses at regular intervals reduces the risk of on-site incidents.
- Compliance: documented service records demonstrate that equipment is maintained to WHS standards, supporting insurance and regulatory obligations.
- Resale value: a complete service history with documented 250 and 500-hour services increases the machine's value at trade-in or auction.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you move from paper or static PDFs to digital forms in MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
- Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
- Link every form digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
- Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
- Ability to share forms digitally.
- Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
- Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
- Electronic signatures.
- Edit forms later without reprinting.
- Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
- Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
Book a demo to see digital service procedures and hour-based scheduling in MapTrack.
Service actions included in the 250-hour procedure
This service procedure covers 23 service actions across 7 system areas:
- Engine: drain and replace engine oil (15W-40), replace oil filter, inspect air filter, drain fuel/water separator, check coolant, inspect exhaust/DPF, check AdBlue/DEF.
- Transmission and driveline: check transmission oil level, check differential oil levels (front, centre, rear), grease driveline universal joints.
- Hydraulic system: check hydraulic oil level (dump body system).
- Steering and suspension: grease king pins and steer axle, grease articulation joint (ADT), grease suspension pins.
- Tyres: check tyre pressures all positions, inspect tyre condition and tread.
- Dump body: inspect body for cracks, wear plates and floor thickness, check tailgate mechanism and latches, inspect dump cylinder pins and bushes.
- Electrical and safety: check battery, test lights, horn, reversing alarm, camera, check seatbelt, ROPS and fire extinguisher.
Fluid specifications
General fluid specifications for articulated and rigid dump trucks (25-60 tonne class). Capacities vary by machine size and manufacturer.
| System | Type / Grade | Approx. Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | 15W-40 CI-4 / CK-4 | 25 - 45 L |
| Hydraulic oil | ISO VG 46 | 40 - 80 L (system) |
| Coolant | 50/50 ethylene glycol | 40 - 60 L |
| Transmission oil | Allison TES 295 or TO-4 | 30 - 50 L (system) |
| Differential oil | 80W-140 GL-5 | 10 - 20 L per diff |
| AdBlue / DEF | ISO 22241 | As required |
| Grease | EP2 lithium complex | As required |
Specifications are general guidelines. Always refer to the manufacturer's service manual for your specific make and model.
Parts and consumables
Have the following parts and consumables ready before starting the 250-hour service:
- Engine oil (15W-40 CI-4/CK-4) - 25-45 litres
- Engine oil filter - 1
- Fuel/water separator element - 1
- EP2 grease cartridges - 6-10
- Coolant (pre-mixed or concentrate) - as required for top-up
- Rags, drip tray and waste oil container
Look up part numbers in the manufacturer's parts manual for your specific make and model before ordering.
How to perform a dump truck 250-hour service
- Park the dump truck on level ground, lower the dump body fully, apply the park brake and shut down the engine. Allow the engine to cool before draining oil.
- Record the equipment details and current hour meter reading at the top of the service procedure form.
- Start with the engine section: drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, fill with new oil to the correct level, then inspect the air filter, drain the fuel/water separator and check coolant.
- Check transmission oil level, check all differential oil levels (front, centre and rear), and grease driveline universal joints.
- Check hydraulic oil level for the dump body system. Grease king pins, steer axle, articulation joint (ADT) and suspension pins.
- Check tyre pressures at all positions and inspect tyre condition and tread depth.
- Inspect the dump body for cracks, check wear plates and floor thickness, check the tailgate mechanism and latches, and inspect dump cylinder pins and bushes.
- Check the battery, test all lights, horn, reversing alarm and camera. Check the seatbelt, ROPS and fire extinguisher.
- Start the engine and check for leaks, abnormal noises or warning lights. Check all instrument readings. Record any defects or recommendations in the notes section.
- Set the next service due hours (next 250-hour and next 500-hour intervals). Sign off and update the machine's maintenance log.
In MapTrack, you can schedule services based on hour meter readings, get automatic reminders, complete service procedures on mobile and link every record to the machine. Book a demo to see how.
Get the free template
Enter your email above to download the dump truck 250-hour service procedure.
Back to download formDump truck service interval hierarchy
Dump truck maintenance follows a tiered schedule where each level includes all tasks from the level below. This is called carry-forward or cumulative servicing.
250 hours - Minor service (you are here)
Engine oil and filter, grease points, fluid levels, dump body inspection, basic inspections. Estimated 2-3 hours.
500 hours - Intermediate service
All 250-hour tasks plus fuel filters, air filter, hydraulic filter, transmission oil and filter, full brake inspection, steering and suspension, dump body cylinders and pivot pins. Estimated 4-6 hours.
1,000 hours - Major service
All 500-hour tasks plus differential oil change, hydraulic oil change, coolant flush, full steering overhaul, injector and turbo inspection. Typically 8-12 hours.
In MapTrack, you can configure service schedules by engine hours and receive automatic alerts when each interval is due.
Frequently asked questions
- What is included in a dump truck 250-hour service?
- A 250-hour dump truck service is a minor service that includes draining and replacing engine oil (typically 15W-40), replacing the engine oil filter, inspecting the air filter, draining the fuel/water separator, checking coolant level, checking transmission oil level, checking differential oil levels (front, centre and rear), checking hydraulic oil level for the dump body system, greasing driveline universal joints, greasing king pins, steer axle, articulation joint (ADT) and suspension pins, checking tyre pressures and condition, inspecting the dump body for cracks and wear plates, checking the tailgate mechanism, inspecting dump cylinders, checking exhaust/DPF, AdBlue level, battery, lights, horn, reversing alarm, camera, seatbelt, ROPS and fire extinguisher. It takes approximately 2 to 3 hours.
- How often should a dump truck be serviced?
- Dump trucks follow a tiered service schedule based on engine hours. A 250-hour (minor) service covers oil, filters, grease and basic inspections. A 500-hour (intermediate) service adds fuel filter replacement, air filter replacement, hydraulic return filter, transmission oil and filter change, full brake inspection, suspension and steering inspection, dump body cylinder and pivot pin inspection, wheel nut torque and A/C service. Always refer to the manufacturer service manual for your specific make and model.
- What oil goes in a dump truck engine?
- Most dump truck engines use 15W-40 diesel engine oil meeting CI-4 or CK-4 specifications. Typical engine oil capacity for a 25-60 tonne articulated or rigid dump truck is 25-45 litres. Transmission oil is typically Allison TES 295 or TO-4 specification. Differential oil is usually 80W-140 GL-5. Always check the service manual for your specific make, model and operating environment.
- Is the template free to use without MapTrack?
- Yes. Download and use the dump truck 250-hour service procedure for free. Open the file and use your browser's Print, then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account required. If you later want digital service procedures linked to each machine with scheduling by hours, cost tracking and alerts, we would be happy to show you MapTrack.
Need digital service procedures scheduled by engine hours?
Register every dump truck in MapTrack. Set up 250 and 500-hour service schedules, complete procedures on mobile, track parts and costs, and get automatic alerts when the next service is due.
Maintenance · Meter-based maintenance · PM scheduling · Resources