Masterlist
Monthly Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance
Keep your trucks and tools running when you need them most. Regular checks prevent breakdowns on job sites, extend equipment life, and save you from expensive emergency repairs that always seem to happen at the worst time.
- Inspect Company VehiclesCatch vehicle problems before they strand your crew on the side of the road. A quick monthly check saves tow bills and keeps your team productive instead of waiting for repairs.
- Check Fluid LevelsPop the hood and check oil, coolant, brake fluid, and windshield washer. If any are low, top them off. Running low on fluids damages engines and costs thousands to fix.
- Inspect TiresUse a tire gauge to check pressure on all tires including the spare. Look for cuts, bulges, or worn tread. Bad tires blow out, cause accidents, and kill your gas mileage.
- Test All LightsTurn on headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and hazards to make sure everything works. A burned-out brake light gets you pulled over and can cause rear-end accidents.
- Check Service ScheduleLook at the mileage and see when the next oil change, tire rotation, or major service is due. Schedule it now before you forget and blow past the deadline.
- Check Fluid Levels
- Test Power Tools and EquipmentMake sure your tools work before you're standing on a job site needing them. Testing takes ten minutes now versus losing half a day driving back for a replacement.
- Check Power CordsLook over every cord for fraying, cuts, or exposed wire. A damaged cord can electrocute someone or start a fire. Toss any cord that looks sketchy.
- Run Each ToolTurn on every power tool and let it run for a few seconds. Listen for weird noises or grinding. Mark anything that sounds wrong for repair before someone gets hurt using it.
- Verify Safety Guards in PlaceCheck that all blade guards, safety switches, and protective covers are attached and working. Missing guards cause injuries that put people in the hospital and you in court.
- Clean and LubricateBlow dust off tools and put a few drops of oil on moving parts per the manual. Clean tools last years longer and work better than ones caked with dirt.
- Check Power Cords
- Review Tool and Parts InventoryKnow what you have so you don't show up to a job missing critical supplies. Running to the store mid-job wastes time and makes you look unprepared.
- Count Consumable SuppliesCheck how many screws, blades, filters, or other supplies you burn through regularly. Write down anything getting low so you can order it this week.
- Find Missing ToolsGo through your tool list and locate anything that's not where it should be. Check vehicles, job sites, and storage. Tools that walk off cost real money to replace.
- Test Battery EquipmentCharge all battery-powered tools and make sure batteries hold a charge. Batteries that die after five minutes need replacing before they leave you stuck.
- Order Replacement PartsLook at your notes on broken equipment and order whatever parts you need to fix it. Having parts on hand means quick repairs instead of equipment sitting broken for weeks.
- Count Consumable Supplies
- Clean Work VehiclesA clean truck makes customers think you run a professional operation. Plus you can actually find tools when everything's organized instead of buried under trash.
- Remove TrashPull out all the garbage, empty bottles, and food wrappers from the cab and back. A truck full of trash looks bad when customers see it in their driveway.
- Organize Tool StoragePut tools back in their spots and secure anything loose. Organized storage means you find what you need in seconds instead of digging for ten minutes.
- Vacuum InteriorVacuum the seats, floor, and cargo area to get rid of dirt and dust. Keeping it clean prevents long-term damage to the upholstery and keeps the value up.
- Wipe Down SurfacesClean the dashboard, steering wheel, and door handles. Takes five minutes and makes the truck look maintained instead of beat to hell.
- Remove Trash
- Document All MaintenanceWrite down what you checked and fixed so you have records. Documentation helps with warranties, proves you maintain equipment, and shows when things need attention.
- Log What You DidWrite down today's date, what maintenance you performed, and the mileage or hours on each vehicle or equipment. This creates a history that's useful for planning future work.
- Note Problems FoundRecord any issues you discovered, even minor ones. Tracking problems helps you spot equipment that's becoming a money pit and needs replacing.
- Set Next Service RemindersPut the next maintenance date on your calendar based on the manufacturer's schedule or your log. Setting it now means you won't forget and skip maintenance.
- Save All ReceiptsKeep receipts for parts and service in a file, either paper or digital. You need these for taxes, warranty claims, and tracking what equipment actually costs you.
- Log What You Did