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Free grader pre-start checklist

Free grader pre-start checklist (PDF-ready). Covers cab, ROPS, blade, moldboard, circle, turntable, engine, tyres, brakes and hydraulics. Download free.

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The MapTrack grader pre-start checklist contains 35 checks across 7 sections.

Jarrod Milford

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Published 21 February 2026Updated 2 May 2026

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General guidance only. Check the form against your equipment manual, site procedures and local requirements before using it.

Also see:Pre-start inspections →Best pre-start inspection software →MapTrack vs SafetyCulture →

Key takeaways

  • The MapTrack grader pre-start checklist contains 35 checks across 7 sections. Sections covered: A - Cab & ROPS, B - Blade & Moldboard, C - Circle & Turntable, D - Engine & Fluids, E - Tyres & Brakes, F - Steering & Hydraulics, G - Lights & Safety Devices.
  • Cab & ROPS: ROPS/FOPS structure condition, seatbelt and operator restraint, mirrors, horn, backup alarm, gauges and instruments, fire extinguisher, first aid kit.
  • Blade & Moldboard: cutting edge condition and wear, end bits and blade bolts, moldboard surface (cracks, warps), blade tip clearance, scarifier/ripper tines and pins.
  • Circle & Turntable: ring gear teeth condition, circle drive motor and gearbox, drawbar and ball stud, turntable bearing clearance, circle rotation through full range.

What is a grader pre-start checklist?

A grader pre-start check is a documented inspection completed by the operator before the motor grader is started or moved at the beginning of each shift. It systematically checks the mechanical condition, fluid levels, structural integrity, and safety systems of the grader to confirm it is fit for operation. Pre-start inspections are required under the Australian Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations for plant and equipment, and virtually all site safety management plans prohibit the operation of plant without a completed daily pre-start. Motor graders are complex machines with unique inspection requirements around the circle, moldboard, blade, tandem drive bogies and articulated steering. This checklist addresses all of those specific systems alongside the standard engine, brake, and cab checks. AS 4024 (Safety of machinery) and ISO 6165 (Earth-moving machinery) provide additional guidance on guarding, safety systems and inspection requirements for motor graders. A documented daily pre-start is the standard evidence of compliance for audits, insurance and incident investigations. Under the WHS Act 2011 (Section 19), the person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) holds a primary duty of care to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that plant used for work is safe. The WHS Regulations 2011 (Chapter 5, Plant and Structures) require that graders are inspected, maintained and, where necessary, tested before use. Motor graders present equipment-specific risks including blade strike and entanglement in the circle mechanism, loss of steering control on grades, and rollover due to uneven ground or excessive speed during side-slope grading. Failure to identify and address these hazards through a documented pre-start inspection can result in regulatory enforcement action and personal liability for officers under WHS due diligence provisions.

Learn more about pre-start inspections in MapTrack.

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Benefits of using this grader pre-start checklist

  • Identify faults before operation: catch blade cracks, circle gear damage, or hydraulic leaks early before they cause breakdowns or injuries.
  • WHS compliance: demonstrate duty of care and meet work health and safety obligations under Australian legislation.
  • Reduced downtime: prevent costly breakdowns and unplanned maintenance by catching issues at the start of shift.
  • Insurance and warranty protection: documented pre-starts support insurance claims and manufacturer warranty requirements.
  • Operator accountability: signed records confirm who inspected and operated the grader each shift.
  • Maintenance planning: trend data from pre-starts helps schedule servicing before failures occur, particularly for circle ring gears, cutting edges, and tandem drive chains.

What to include in a grader pre-start checklist

  • Cab & ROPS: ROPS/FOPS structure condition, seatbelt and operator restraint, mirrors, horn, backup alarm, gauges and instruments, fire extinguisher, first aid kit.
  • Blade & Moldboard: cutting edge condition and wear, end bits and blade bolts, moldboard surface (cracks, warps), blade tip clearance, scarifier/ripper tines and pins.
  • Circle & Turntable: ring gear teeth condition, circle drive motor and gearbox, drawbar and ball stud, turntable bearing clearance, circle rotation through full range.
  • Engine & Fluids: engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil, fuel level, DEF/AdBlue where applicable, air filter restriction indicator, battery terminals, belts, hoses, and leaks.
  • Tyres & Brakes: tyre pressure and condition (cuts, bulges), wheel nuts, parking brake function, service brake response, tandem drive chain condition.
  • Steering & Hydraulics: front axle lean and steering response, articulation joint condition, hydraulic cylinders for leaks, hose condition, hydraulic system pressure.
  • Lights & Safety Devices: headlights, work lights, rotating beacon, indicators, reverse alarm, emergency stop, walk-around for fluid leaks or ground hazards.

How to use this grader pre-start checklist

  1. Walk-around inspection

    before starting, walk around the grader checking for fluid leaks under the machine, tyre condition, blade and moldboard damage, and any objects beneath or near the machine.

  2. Check fluid levels

    with engine off, check engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil, and fuel. Top up if needed and record levels on the form.

  3. Inspect blade and circle

    check cutting edge wear, blade bolts, end bits, ring gear teeth for damage or excessive wear, and circle bearing play.

  4. Inspect cab and controls

    check ROPS/FOPS integrity, fasten seatbelt, set mirrors, and test horn before starting.

  5. Start engine and check instruments

    observe warning lights clear at startup, confirm oil pressure and temperature gauges read normal, and test backup alarm.

  6. Test brakes and steering

    at slow speed in a safe area, test parking and service brakes. Check front axle lean, articulation, and confirm steering operates without unexpected play or noise.

  7. Test blade controls

    cycle the blade through its full range (raise, lower, side-shift, rotate) to confirm hydraulic response and no abnormal sounds.

  8. Complete the form

    mark P (pass), F (fail), or N/A for every item. Record notes for any fail. Sign and retain the form. Do not operate if any fail item has not been rectified or escalated to the supervisor.

How often should you complete this checklist?

A grader pre-start check must be completed before first use at the start of each shift or each working day. If the grader is used by multiple operators across shifts, each operator should complete their own inspection before taking control. In addition to daily checks, follow the manufacturer's scheduled maintenance intervals (typically at 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 hours). Cutting edges and end bits should also be visually checked mid-shift during heavy grading operations, as wear rates can be rapid on hard-surface work. Circle ring gear lubrication and tandem drive chain tension checks should be completed at the intervals specified in your machine's operator and maintenance manual.

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Frequently asked questions

Practical answers about the form, record keeping and using MapTrack.

A grader pre-start should cover: cab and ROPS/FOPS integrity, seatbelt, horn and backup alarm, engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil and fuel levels, blade and moldboard condition (cutting edge, end bits, cracks), circle and turntable (ring gear teeth, rotation, bearing play), tyres (pressure, cuts, studs), brakes (service and parking), steering (front axle lean, articulation), hydraulic cylinders and hoses for leaks, lights including beacon, and a general walk-around for fluid leaks or ground hazards.

Link to this answer

A pre-start check should be completed at the start of every shift or before first use each day. If multiple operators use the same grader across shifts, each operator completes their own inspection. Your site safety management plan or principal contractor may specify additional requirements. Always follow the most stringent requirement.

Link to this answer

In Australia, operators of motor graders must hold the relevant competency, typically a Statement of Attainment for units such as RIIMPO321F Conduct civil construction grader operations. No formal high-risk work licence (HRWL) is required for graders specifically, but site induction and demonstrated competency are always required. Check state/territory WHS regulations and your organisation's requirements before operation.

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Yes. Download and use the template for free. Open the HTML file and use Print to Save as PDF. No MapTrack account required. If you later want digital pre-starts linked to each grader with automatic fault alerts, MapTrack can help.

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Yes. This grader pre-start checklist is completely free to download and use. You can open it in your browser and print or save as PDF with no sign-up or MapTrack account needed. It is designed for immediate use on site.

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Applicable regulatory standards

This form is a starting point. Check the current requirements that apply to your equipment, work and location. The form alone does not establish compliance.

  • AS 4024 (Safety of machinery)
  • ISO 6165 (Earth-moving machinery)
  • WHS Regulations (plant and equipment)

MapTrack publishes this template. The linked authorities publish their own guidance; they haven't endorsed this form.

The numbers behind this grader pre-start checklist

Every figure below is sourced and dated, so you can quote it in a toolbox talk, a budget case or a board paper without having to chase the original report.

Cite this template

Writing about this topic? You’re welcome to quote this checklist. Here’s the wording to use so your readers can find the original.

The MapTrack grader pre-start checklist contains 35 checks across 7 sections.

Short attribution
MapTrack Grader pre-start checklist, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/grader-pre-start-checklist
Reference list
MapTrack. (2026). Grader pre-start checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/grader-pre-start-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-pre-start-checklist.

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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 pre-start 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;">Cab &amp;amp; ROPS: ROPS/FOPS structure condition, seatbelt and operator restraint, mirrors, horn, backup alarm, gauges and instruments, fire extinguisher, first aid kit.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Blade &amp;amp; Moldboard: cutting edge condition and wear, end bits and blade bolts, moldboard surface (cracks, warps), blade tip clearance, scarifier/ripper tines and pins.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Circle &amp;amp; Turntable: ring gear teeth condition, circle drive motor and gearbox, drawbar and ball stud, turntable bearing clearance, circle rotation through full range.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Engine &amp;amp; Fluids: engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil, fuel level, DEF/AdBlue where applicable, air filter restriction indicator, battery terminals, belts, hoses, and leaks.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Tyres &amp;amp; Brakes: tyre pressure and condition (cuts, bulges), wheel nuts, parking brake function, service brake response, tandem drive chain condition.</li>
    <li style="margin:4px 0;">Steering &amp;amp; Hydraulics: front axle lean and steering response, articulation joint condition, hydraulic cylinders for leaks, hose condition, hydraulic system pressure.</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-pre-start-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Grader pre-start 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.

About the author

Jarrod Milford

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Jarrod has spent over a decade in technology consulting and asset management, including roles at Accenture (mining and heavy industry) and CGI as an Asset Management Consultant. He joined MapTrack in 2018 and has spent the past 8+ years building and scaling the platform, conducting 300+ user research sessions with field teams to shape the product. His consulting background gives him deep insight into the operational and compliance challenges facing asset-intensive Australian businesses.

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