Free grader moldboard and circle inspection checklist
Free grader moldboard and circle inspection checklist covering cutting edges, circle gear wear, drawbar pins and cylinders.
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Updated 26 Oct 2026
Grader Moldboard and Circle Inspection Checklist
Competent-person inspection
Cutting edge & side cutters
Circle gear & pinion
Drawbar & brace pins
Lift & side-shift cylinders
Scarifier attachment (if fitted)
Disposition & records
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Short answer
A grader moldboard and circle inspection checklist records the condition of the blade group: cutting edges, end bits, circle gear and bearing slop, drawbar pivot and blade cylinders, with keep, watch or retire decisions. Operators check visually each shift and competent people measure wear on a schedule from the OEM service manual. Regulation 213 of the model WHS Regulations requires competent-person inspection following the manufacturer's recommendations.
Checked against Model WHS Regulations as at 5 December 2025 (cited within as the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011) on by the MapTrack templates team. How we check templates
Key takeaways
- The MapTrack grader moldboard and circle inspection checklist contains 35 checks across 6 sections. Sections covered: Cutting edge & side cutters, Circle gear & pinion, Drawbar & brace pins, Lift & side-shift cylinders, Scarifier attachment (if fitted), Disposition & records.
- Wear limits for cutting edges, end bits and circle bearing slop come from the OEM service manual, not from an Australian Standard.
- Shift, weekly, monthly and six-monthly tiers are common practice; regulation 213 makes the manufacturer's recommendations the starting point.
- AS 20474.8:2025 covers grader design and construction safety, not in-service wear, so it does not set inspection intervals.
- Lower the blade to the ground and isolate the machine before measuring circle slop or inspecting cylinders under the moldboard.
- When circle clearance exceeds the manufacturer's limit, a competent person adjusts, repairs or rebuilds the circle following that model's service procedure.
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Used by construction, mining and field service teams
What is a grader moldboard and circle inspection checklist?
A grader moldboard and circle inspection checklist is the attachment-level structural and wear assessment used by a competent person to decide whether a motor grader moldboard, circle assembly and drawbar group stays in service, goes on a watch list, or is retired and replaced. It applies to motor graders from 12 tonne maintenance graders up to 30 tonne mining production graders across CAT, Komatsu, Volvo, John Deere and Champion machines, and covers the complete blade group: moldboard, cutting edges, end bits, circle gear and bearing, drawbar pivot, side-shift cylinder, lift cylinders, tilt cylinder, brace arms, blade-tip slope sensor mounts and the scarifier shank assembly if equipped. Unlike a grader pre-start that runs across the whole carrier, or a 250 hour service that focuses on lubricants and filters, this checklist concentrates on the blade group and its hydraulic actuation. The scope covers moldboard cutting edge wear measurement, moldboard side cutter wear, end bit wear and replacement timing, circle gear tooth wear profile inspection, circle bearing slop measurement (the critical metric that drives circle rebuild), drawbar pivot pin and bushing condition, side-shift cylinder rod condition, lift cylinder rod condition (both left and right lift cylinders), brace pin condition, moldboard tilt cylinder rod condition, scarifier shank inspection where the grader is fitted with one and blade-tip slope sensor mount integrity for graders running automated grade control.
AS 20474.1:2025 and AS 20474.8:2025 (Earth-moving machinery - Safety) set safety requirements for how graders are designed and built, ISO 6165 (Earth-moving terminology) gives the OEM documentation baseline, and the WHS Regulations 2011 Chapter 5 make blade-group and circle condition part of the PCBU plant maintenance duty. ASME B30.20 (Below-the-hook lifting devices) applies where the blade is used as a lifting point through certified lugs, and the Safe Work Australia Code of Practice on managing the risks of plant in the workplace (November 2024) is the practical guide most supervisors use to scope this inspection. Circle bearing slop above the OEM threshold is the most common reason a grader blade group is retired for rebuild, because excessive slop introduces grade error into automated control and accelerates wear on the circle gear, the drawbar pivot and the blade-tip cylinders. A digital record in MapTrack ties each inspection to the carrier grader serial, the blade group install or rebuild date and the operating hours so circle rebuild decisions remain defensible at trade-in, finance audit and SafeWork inspection.
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Benefits of using this grader moldboard and circle inspection checklist
- Attachment-level accountability: Each blade-group decision is signed against the competent inspector who measured circle slop and cutting edges, not lost inside a generic grader signature
- Wear and discard record: The checklist records each wear measurement and the discard threshold applied, so SafeWork audits and OEM warranty claims are straightforward
- Circle bearing slop visibility: The OEM circle bearing slop threshold is captured in measurement, so the circle rebuild decision is data-driven rather than a visual guess at a glance
- Cutting edge and end bit visibility: The cutting edge wear and end bit wear thresholds are captured in measurement, so the replacement decision sits inside the planned maintenance window
- Grade control accuracy: Blade-tip slope sensor mount integrity is signed off, intercepting the slope sensor drift that corrupts automated grade control on civil and mining haul-road work
- Cylinder rod protection: Side-shift, lift and tilt cylinder rod condition is signed off, intercepting rod scoring, seal failure and the resulting hydraulic dump that drops a blade unexpectedly
- Lifecycle records: Every blade group rebuild, circle bearing replacement, inspection and discard sits against the carrier for the full life of the asset
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you digitise grader moldboard inspection checklists in MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
- Email the right people when a form is submitted, with an automation you set up.
- File every completed form against the asset, location or person it covers.
- Download any completed form as a PDF, with failed answers listed at the top.
- Fill in forms offline; they upload when the device is back online.
- 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.
- Set who can view, fill in or edit forms with user roles.
- Upload a paper form (PDF, Word, Excel or a photo) and MapTrack's AI builds a digital version for you to check.
- Email safety managers when a hazard report is submitted, with an automation you set up.
- Keep every hazard and incident report against the site it came from, with photos.
- Turn a hazard report into a corrective-action work order with its own review step.
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What to include in a grader moldboard and circle inspection checklist
This grader moldboard and circle inspection checklist covers 13 key areas:
- Carrier and blade group identification: grader make, model, serial number, blade group install or rebuild date and operating hours since install or last rebuild
- Moldboard cutting edge wear: cutting edge thickness measured at three points across the moldboard against the new edge dimension, percentage wear calculated and bolt torque verified
- Moldboard side cutter wear: side cutter wear measurement on both ends of the moldboard, retainer bolt torque and adjacent moldboard condition verified
- End bit wear measurement: end bit thickness and remaining material measured at the outer corners of the moldboard where wear accelerates, retainer bolt torque verified
- Circle gear tooth wear: circle gear tooth profile inspection against the OEM template, tooth pocket wear and gear-to-pinion backlash measurement
- Circle bearing slop measurement: circle bearing slop measured against the OEM threshold using a dial indicator at the moldboard tip, the critical metric that drives the circle rebuild decision
- Drawbar pivot pin and bushing condition: dial-indicator measurement on the drawbar pivot pin and bushing against the OEM clearance specification, with the diameter reduction discard rule applied
- Side-shift cylinder rod condition: side-shift cylinder rod scoring inspection, chrome coverage check, seal condition at the gland and rod alignment from full retract to full extend
- Lift cylinder rod condition: lift cylinder rod scoring inspection on both left and right lift cylinders, chrome coverage check, seal condition at the gland and synchronisation check
- Moldboard tilt cylinder rod condition: tilt cylinder rod scoring inspection, chrome coverage check, seal condition at the gland and tilt range verification
- Brace pin condition: brace pin and bushing wear measurement on each brace position against the OEM specification
- Scarifier shank inspection (if equipped): scarifier shank visual for cracking, scarifier tip wear measurement, scarifier hydraulic cylinder rod condition, scarifier pin and bushing condition
- Blade-tip slope sensor mount integrity: slope sensor mount inspected for cracking, bolt torque and mount alignment, sensor cable chafing inspection
How to use this grader moldboard and circle inspection checklist
- 1. Plan the inspection and isolate the carrier: pull the blade group history file including install or rebuild date, operating hours and previous wear measurements, position the grader on level ground with the moldboard flat on the deck and scarifier retracted, lock out the ignition and key in pocket, allow the blade group to cool
- 2. Identify the blade group and verify configuration: confirm carrier make, model and serial number, blade group install or rebuild date and operating hours since install, verify configuration against the OEM specification including slope sensor model and automated grade control wiring
- 3. Measure cutting edges, side cutters and end bits: measure cutting edge thickness at three points across the moldboard against the new edge dimension, calculate percentage wear, verify retainer bolt torque, measure side cutter wear on both ends and end bit thickness at the outer corners
- 4. Inspect circle gear and measure circle bearing slop: complete the circle gear tooth profile inspection against the OEM template, measure tooth pocket wear and gear-to-pinion backlash, then measure circle bearing slop using a dial indicator at the moldboard tip against the OEM threshold
- 5. Measure drawbar pivot pin and brace pin condition: with the blade group on the deck and unloaded, attach the dial indicator to the drawbar pivot pin and each brace pin position, lever the linkage against the indicator and record the measured clearance against the OEM specification
- 6. Inspect cylinder rod condition: extend each cylinder (side-shift, left lift, right lift, tilt) through full stroke and inspect the rod for scoring, chrome coverage loss and seal leakage at the gland, verify rod alignment from full retract to full extend, confirm lift cylinder synchronisation
- 7. Walk hydraulic hose runs and scarifier: deliberate walk of all hydraulic hoses from carrier to blade group through the lift, tilt, side-shift and circle circuits, marking any chafing or abrasion against frame edges, complete the scarifier shank visual and tip wear measurement where the grader is fitted
- 8. Inspect blade-tip slope sensor mount and electrical: blade-tip slope sensor mount inspected for cracking, bolt torque and mount alignment, sensor cable chafing inspection through the harness, automated grade control calibration record verified against the most recent OEM service
- 9. Make the end-of-life decision and record: mark the blade group as fit for service, watch list (with a shorter inspection interval), partial rebuild (cutting edges and end bits), full circle rebuild or retire and replace now, photograph any discard-criteria finding, sign the record and attach to the asset in MapTrack
In MapTrack, you can digitise safety inspections and compliance forms. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.
Get the free templateEnter your email above to download the full grader moldboard and circle inspection checklist as a PDF.Back to download formHow often should you complete this inspection checklist?
Regulation 213 of the WHS Regulations 2011 requires the blade group to be inspected by a competent person, following any recommendations of the manufacturer, so the OEM service manual is the starting point for the cadence the blade-group inspector should follow. The operator runs a visual pre-start moldboard check each shift, looking for missing edge bolts, end bit loss, cracked welds and obvious hose damage at the visible blade-to-frame interface. A weekly visual inspection by a trained technician covers more of the moldboard, circle gear and cylinder rods under controlled conditions. A monthly competent-person inspection covers cutting edge wear measurement, end bit wear measurement, circle gear tooth profile inspection, drawbar pivot pin measurement, cylinder rod condition check and a function test of automated grade control where fitted. A 6-monthly major inspection sits inside the carrier grader monthly cadence and goes deeper, including the critical circle bearing slop measurement that drives the circle rebuild decision, plus MPI on suspect welds where the blade group is on heavy production duty in mining haul-road maintenance. Any impact event, dropped blade, hydraulic dump, scarifier strike, sudden grade-control error or near-miss triggers an out-of-cycle inspection before the blade group returns to service.
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Frequently asked questions
Applicable regulatory standards
This template is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The template alone does not establish compliance.
| Standard | Edition | Clauses this template relies on | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model Work Health and Safety RegulationsPlant risk management and competent-person inspection to the manufacturer's recommendations. Model law: check your state's version. | Model WHS Regulations as at 5 December 2025 (cited within as the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011) |
| Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee) |
| Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplaceModel Code guidance on inspecting, maintaining and isolating plant. It has legal effect only where a jurisdiction has approved it. | November 2024 version (reviewed May 2018; amended 2021, 2023 and 2024) |
| Safe Work Australia |
| Earth-moving machinery - Safety, Part 8: Requirements for graders (ISO 20474-8:2017, MOD)Design and construction safety requirements for graders. It covers how graders are built, not in-service wear limits. | AS 20474.8:2025 | Whole instrument | Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher |
| Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic)Victoria: plant is inspected as needed to monitor risks. Applies there instead of the model WHS Regulations. | Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic), version 018 (in force from 20 October 2026) |
| Victorian Government (Victorian Legislation) |
Model Work Health and Safety Regulations
Edition: Model WHS Regulations as at 5 December 2025 (cited within as the Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011)
Plant risk management and competent-person inspection to the manufacturer's recommendations. Model law: check your state's version.
- reg 213: Plant must be maintained, inspected and, if necessary, tested by a competent person, following manufacturer or competent person recommendations; annual inspection applies only if neither is practicable.
- reg 203: A person managing or controlling plant must manage its risks in line with Part 3.1.
Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee)
Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace
Edition: November 2024 version (reviewed May 2018; amended 2021, 2023 and 2024)
Model Code guidance on inspecting, maintaining and isolating plant. It has legal effect only where a jurisdiction has approved it.
- Section 3.5: Inspecting plant: how and when plant should be inspected by a competent person, reflecting reg 213.
- Section 3.6: Maintenance, repair and cleaning of plant, following manufacturer instructions and by competent people.
- Section 4.5: Isolating energy sources before maintenance, repair or cleaning, with lock-out as the most effective isolation procedure.
Earth-moving machinery - Safety, Part 8: Requirements for graders (ISO 20474-8:2017, MOD)
Edition: AS 20474.8:2025
Design and construction safety requirements for graders. It covers how graders are built, not in-service wear limits.
Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher
Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic)
Edition: Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (Vic), version 018 (in force from 20 October 2026)
Victoria: plant is inspected as needed to monitor risks. Applies there instead of the model WHS Regulations.
- reg 105: Requires plant to be inspected as needed to monitor risks, and steps to be taken to prevent unauthorised alteration of, or interference with, the plant.
Each source was read at its publisher and the page checked on 26 October 2026. The publisher's current text is the authority.
Grader Moldboard and Circle Inspection Checklist preview
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<div style="max-width:480px;font-family:system-ui,-apple-system,'Segoe UI',Roboto,sans-serif;border:1px solid #E5E7EB;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;background:#ffffff;">
<p style="font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0.05em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#071D49;margin:0;">Free template</p>
<p style="font-size:18px;font-weight:700;color:#071D49;margin:6px 0 0;">Grader Moldboard and Circle Inspection Checklist</p>
<ul style="margin:12px 0 0;padding-left:18px;color:#374151;font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;">
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Carrier and blade group identification: grader make, model, serial number, blade group install or rebuild date and operating hours since install or last rebuild</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Moldboard cutting edge wear: cutting edge thickness measured at three points across the moldboard against the new edge dimension, percentage wear calculated and bolt torque verified</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Moldboard side cutter wear: side cutter wear measurement on both ends of the moldboard, retainer bolt torque and adjacent moldboard condition verified</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">End bit wear measurement: end bit thickness and remaining material measured at the outer corners of the moldboard where wear accelerates, retainer bolt torque verified</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Circle gear tooth wear: circle gear tooth profile inspection against the OEM template, tooth pocket wear and gear-to-pinion backlash measurement</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Circle bearing slop measurement: circle bearing slop measured against the OEM threshold using a dial indicator at the moldboard tip, the critical metric that drives the circle rebuild decision</li>
</ul>
<p style="font-size:13px;color:#6B7280;margin:14px 0 0;padding-top:12px;border-top:1px solid #E5E7EB;">Free <a href="https://www.maptrack.com/templates/grader-moldboard-circle-inspection-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Grader Moldboard and Circle Inspection Checklist</a> by MapTrack</p>
</div>Free to reuse, including commercially. This template is published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Copy it, adapt it, put it on your own site or in your own docs. All we ask is that you credit MapTrack with a link back to this page. The snippet above already includes that credit, so if you use it as-is you’re covered.
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The MapTrack grader moldboard and circle inspection checklist contains 35 checks across 6 sections.
- Short attribution
- MapTrack Grader Moldboard and Circle Inspection Checklist, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/grader-moldboard-circle-inspection-checklist
- Reference list
- MapTrack. (2026). Grader Moldboard and Circle Inspection Checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/grader-moldboard-circle-inspection-checklist
Free to reuse with credit under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. If you’d rather link straight to it, the page is https://www.maptrack.com/templates/grader-moldboard-circle-inspection-checklist.
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