Free loader daily pre-start checklist
Free loader daily pre-start checklist (PDF-ready). Cab, ROPS/FOPS, bucket, hydraulics, tyres, brakes, steering, engine and safety devices. Download free.
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Updated 26 Oct 2026
Loader Daily Pre-Start Checklist
Wheel loader daily inspection: complete before first use each shift
Walk-Around
Cab & ROPS / FOPS
Bucket
Hydraulic System
Tyres & Wheels
Brakes & Steering
Engine & Fluids
Reversing Camera / Alarm
Safety Devices
Lights & Electrics
How to use: download the PDF, print or complete digitally on any device.
- PDF format, ready to print or fill on screen
- Use as-is or customise to suit your operation
- Go digital in MapTrack for photos, reminders and audit trails
Or set it up in MapTrack
- Fill it in on a phone, attach photos to any check
- Automatic reports and audit trails
- The same checks as the PDF, ready to configure
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Short answer
A loader pre-start checklist records the operator's check of a wheel loader before use: walk-around, cab and ROPS/FOPS, bucket and coupler, hydraulics, tyres, brakes, steering, fluids, camera, alarm and safety devices. Operators complete it at the start of each shift, as site rules and the manufacturer require. Regulation 213 of the model WHS Regulations sets no daily interval; it requires competent-person inspection following manufacturer or competent-person 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 loader daily pre-start checklist contains 37 checks across 10 sections. Sections covered: Walk-Around, Cab & ROPS / FOPS, Bucket, Hydraulic System, Tyres & Wheels, Brakes & Steering, Engine & Fluids, Reversing Camera / Alarm, Safety Devices, Lights & Electrics.
- Reg 213 of the model WHS Regulations sets no daily interval; inspect and maintain to the manufacturer's recommendations, or a competent person's if there are none.
- Record the hour-meter reading on each pre-start so the manufacturer's hour-based services, often at 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 hours, can be planned.
- ROPS damage, brake or steering faults and a missing fire extinguisher are tag-out items: the loader is not operated until rectified.
- Check bucket pins and quick-coupler engagement every shift; record a failed lock as a critical defect.
- Each new operator, a site move or a repair calls for a fresh pre-start on a new record.
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Used by construction, mining and field service teams
What is a loader daily pre-start checklist?
A loader daily pre-start checklist is a structured form used to inspect a wheel loader (front-end loader) before it is operated each day or shift. It helps operators and supervisors confirm the loader is safe and fit for use, reducing the risk of mechanical failures, accidents and non-compliance. The checklist covers everything from the cab and ROPS/FOPS to the bucket, hydraulics, tyres, brakes, steering, engine fluids, reversing camera and alarm and safety devices, catching problems such as tyre damage, hydraulic leaks, worn bucket cutting edges or faulty brakes before they lead to costly downtime or incidents. In Australia, wheel loaders are classified as plant under the WHS Regulations and the PCBU must ensure they are inspected and maintained so they remain safe for use. AS 4024 (Safety of machinery) provides additional guidance on safety systems, guarding and inspection requirements, and ISO 6165 (Earth-moving machinery) sets out the basic machine types, identification and vocabulary. A documented daily pre-start is the standard method for demonstrating compliance and supporting audits and incident investigations. Under the WHS Act 2011 (Section 19), the PCBU holds a primary duty of care to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that plant is safe and without risks to health and safety. The WHS Regulations 2011 (Chapter 5, Plant and Structures) require that loaders are maintained, inspected and, where necessary, tested by a competent person in line with the manufacturer recommendations (regulation 213). Wheel loaders present equipment-specific risks including rollover on uneven ground or ramps, crushing from the articulation pivot zone, struck-by incidents during loading and tipping operations, and loss of load stability when carrying elevated buckets over soft or sloped terrain.
Learn more about pre-start inspections in MapTrack.
Doing pre-starts on loaders and other plant? Our guide compares the main pre-start inspection software options.
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Benefits of using this loader daily pre-start checklist
- Fewer breakdowns: spot minor issues (tyre damage, low fluids, hydraulic leaks) before they become costly repairs or downtime.
- Operator safety: identify faults in ROPS/FOPS, brakes, steering, seatbelts and emergency stops before the loader is used.
- Compliance: meet WHS and regulatory requirements; demonstrate due diligence for plant operation.
- Preventive maintenance: keep loaders in good order and extend asset life.
- Consistency and accountability: a standardised approach so critical checks aren't missed across operators and sites.
- Recordkeeping: maintain a verifiable history of pre-starts for audits, insurance and investigations.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you digitise wheel loader 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.
- Make the pre-start form required when a machine is checked out to an operator.
- Record who did each pre-start and when, and where if you turn location capture on.
- Link each pre-start to the asset record for a complete inspection history.
Book a demo to see how MapTrack handles wheel loader checklists.
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What to include in a loader daily pre-start checklist
This loader daily pre-start checklist covers 14 key areas:
- Loader details: registration / fleet number, make/model, serial number, hours reading.
- Operator details: name, licence/ticket number, date, site/project.
- Walk-around: general condition, cleanliness, no visible damage or leaks, ground conditions.
- Cab and ROPS/FOPS: structural integrity, seatbelt, mirrors, windows, wipers.
- Bucket: cutting edge, teeth, pins, quick-coupler (if fitted).
- Hydraulic system: cylinders, hoses, couplings, no leaks.
- Tyres: pressure, tread condition, wheel nuts secure.
- Brakes: service brake, park brake.
- Steering: free play, articulation lock pin (if fitted).
- Engine and fluids: engine oil, coolant, hydraulic oil, fuel, air filter.
- Reversing camera / alarm: operational.
- Safety devices: fire extinguisher, horn, beacon, emergency stops.
- Lights and electrics: headlights, work lights, beacon, indicators, battery.
- Overall result, defects table, operator and supervisor sign-off.
How to use this loader daily pre-start checklist
- Complete loader and operator details at the top of the checklist, including the hours reading.: Record the loader registration or fleet number, make and model, serial number and current hour meter reading. Enter your name, competency or licence details, site or project name and the date and time of the inspection.
- Perform a walk-around inspection before entering the cab. Check for leaks, tyre damage, debris and ground conditions.: Circle the loader looking for hydraulic oil puddles under cylinders and hoses, tyre cuts or bulges, and debris caught in wheel arches. Check the articulation joint area for grease leaks and confirm the ground is stable.
- Go through each checklist item and inspect the corresponding component. Mark Pass or Fail (and add notes if needed).: Inspect the bucket cutting edge for excessive wear, check all pins and quick-coupler engagement, test hydraulic lift and tilt for smooth response, and verify the reversing camera and alarm both function correctly.
- If any item fails, note it and do not operate the loader until it is rectified or approved. Report defects per your procedures.: Tag the loader out of service for critical defects such as brake failure, ROPS damage, steering faults or missing fire extinguisher. Notify the supervisor and maintenance team for immediate rectification.
- Sign and date when the check is complete. Keep the form for your records.: Confirm all items are marked Pass, Fail or N/A. Print your name, sign and record the date. In MapTrack, submit the inspection to automatically link it to the loader asset record.
In MapTrack, you can run digital pre-starts attached to each asset. Each submission is stored as a timestamped PDF against the asset record.
Get the free templateEnter your email above to download the full loader daily pre-start checklist as a PDF.Back to download formHow often should you complete this checklist?
Complete a loader pre-start inspection before each use or at the start of each shift. If the loader has been relocated to a new site, has had repairs, or was used by another operator, perform a fresh check. Many construction and mining sites require a daily pre-start for all plant and equipment on site. In addition to daily pre-starts, follow the manufacturer scheduled service intervals, typically at 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 hours. Your company policy, site rules or contract may specify additional frequency. When in doubt, complete the checklist each time the loader is used. In MapTrack, you can schedule each inspection tier and track compliance across your entire loader fleet.
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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 RegulationsThe plant risk management duty, and maintenance and inspection by a competent person following manufacturer recommendations. | 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 plant and on maintenance and repair when a check finds a fault. | November 2024 version (reviewed May 2018; amended 2021, 2023 and 2024) |
| Safe Work Australia |
| Model Work Health and Safety Act (Model Work Health and Safety Bill)The primary duty of care, which includes providing and maintaining safe plant. | Model WHS Bill as at 5 December 2025 (includes the Model WHS Legislation Amendment (Incident Notification) 2025) |
| Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee) |
| Earth-moving machinery - Safety, Part 3: Requirements for loaders (ISO 20474-3:2017, MOD)Design safety requirements for loaders; a machine standard, not an inspection routine. | AS 20474.3:2025 | Whole instrument | Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher |
| Earth-moving machinery - Basic types - Identification and vocabularyVocabulary only: defines the loader machine family so the right checklist is matched to the machine. | ISO 6165:2022 (Edition 7) |
| International Organization for Standardization (ISO)Sold by the publisher |
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)
The plant risk management duty, and maintenance and inspection by a competent person following manufacturer recommendations.
- reg 203: A person managing or controlling plant must manage its risks in line with Part 3.1.
- 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.
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 plant and on maintenance and repair when a check finds a fault.
- 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.
Model Work Health and Safety Act (Model Work Health and Safety Bill)
Edition: Model WHS Bill as at 5 December 2025 (includes the Model WHS Legislation Amendment (Incident Notification) 2025)
The primary duty of care, which includes providing and maintaining safe plant.
- s 19: Primary duty of care: a PCBU must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and others, including safe plant, systems, training and supervision.
Safe Work Australia (drafted by the Parliamentary Counsel's Committee)
Earth-moving machinery - Safety, Part 3: Requirements for loaders (ISO 20474-3:2017, MOD)
Edition: AS 20474.3:2025
Design safety requirements for loaders; a machine standard, not an inspection routine.
Standards AustraliaSold by the publisher
Earth-moving machinery - Basic types - Identification and vocabulary
Edition: ISO 6165:2022 (Edition 7)
Vocabulary only: defines the loader machine family so the right checklist is matched to the machine.
- 3.2.2: Loader: definition of the loader machine family and its work cycle.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)Sold by the publisher
Each source was read at its publisher and the page checked on 26 October 2026. The publisher's current text is the authority.
Loader daily pre-start checklist preview
The numbers behind this loader daily pre-start checklist
The pages below gather the figures behind this kind of check. Each figure on them carries its source and date, so you can quote it in a toolbox talk, a budget case or a board paper without chasing the original report.
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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;">Loader daily 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;">Loader details: registration / fleet number, make/model, serial number, hours reading.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Operator details: name, licence/ticket number, date, site/project.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Walk-around: general condition, cleanliness, no visible damage or leaks, ground conditions.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Cab and ROPS/FOPS: structural integrity, seatbelt, mirrors, windows, wipers.</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Bucket: cutting edge, teeth, pins, quick-coupler (if fitted).</li>
<li style="margin:4px 0;">Hydraulic system: cylinders, hoses, couplings, no leaks.</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/loader-pre-start-checklist" style="color:#071D49;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;">Loader daily 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.
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 loader daily pre-start checklist contains 37 checks across 10 sections.
- Short attribution
- MapTrack Loader daily pre-start checklist, https://www.maptrack.com/templates/loader-pre-start-checklist
- Reference list
- MapTrack. (2026). Loader daily pre-start checklist [Checklist template]. Retrieved from https://www.maptrack.com/templates/loader-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/loader-pre-start-checklist.
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