--- title: Top tasks to not overlook when it comes to your equipment description: Preventive maintenance is far more cost-effective than reactive, post-breakdown repair. image: https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/Blog_PM.jpg --- [![Logo_building_tomorrow-1](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo_building_tomorrow-1.png?width=200&height=51&name=Logo_building_tomorrow-1.png "Logo_building_tomorrow-1")](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en) - [EN](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en) - [FR](https://blog.toromontcat.com/fr) - [Toromont Cat website](https://www.toromontcat.com/) - - - # Top tasks to not overlook when it comes to your equipment [By Toromont Cat](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/author/toromont-cat) January 14, 2021 [PARTS & SERVICE](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/topic/parts-service) 1 minute read - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/Blog_PM.jpg)  When it Routine maintenance and preventive maintenance go hand-in-hand. Both aim at keeping your equipment running smoothly and [avoiding costly repairs that cause downtimes.](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/whats-the-real-cost-of-idle-time) Preventive maintenance is far more cost-effective than reactive, post-breakdown repair. It will help save you enormous sums compared to suffering expensive part replacements and costly downtime due to unexpected failures. It is also a great way to be prepared for [hot](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/cool-running-making-sure-your-equipment-beats-the-summer-heat) and [cold](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/cold-weather-best-practices) seasons.    Checklists don’t have to be complicated, but they are crucial to ensure your equipment operates at peak performance.   **Here are common tasks to perform based on a heavy equipment preventive maintenance checklist to lower overall operating costs and reduce equipment downtime:** 1. **Belts:** Fraying, proper tension and discoloration 2. **Body:** Inspect and record general body condition: damage, rust, looseness and paint conditions. 3. **Brakes:** Pad and shoe status, drum and disc health, fluid levels, pressures and cable conditions. 4. **Coolant:** Radiator free from blockages and debris, proper coolant levels and normal colors 5. **Electrical:** Electrical component checkpoints: battery condition (age, voltage retention, acid ratio, terminal and cable condition), voltage and amperage testing, cable examination and fuse conditions. 6. **Exhaust:** Abnormal sound or smoke are problem indicators but exhaust connections like clamps and hangers should be checked. 7. **[Filters](https://www.toromontcat.com/cat-filters/):** Oil, fuel, air, hydraulic and cabin filters.  8. **Fluids:** [Fluid analysis](https://www.toromontcat.com/service/fluid-analysis-services) for engine oil, [hydraulic oil](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/preventing-hydraulic-system-failure), transmission fluid and engine coolant [is like a blood test for humans](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/what-can-reveal-your-equipment-fluid). 9. **Fuel:** Gasoline, diesel and propane fuel functions. Check for fuel pumps, lines and storage tanks. 10. **Injectors:** Plugged or dysfunctional injectors impact power and economy. Injector cleaning or replacement. 11. **Lubrication:** Greasing and lubricating all joints and sleeves. 12. **Safety:** Seatbelts, lights, horn, locks, energy lockout points, fire protection and hazard warning. 13. **Steering:** Tie rods, ball joints, idler arms and even wheel condition. 14. **Suspension:** Note condition of springs, struts, shocks and undercarriage. 15. **Tires**: Record tire wear, tread depth and pressure. Balance is another item for the list. 16. **Tracks:** Grouser height and general wear condition of track chains, idlers, rollers and sprockets. 17. **Windshield:** Chips can easily develop into sight-impairing cracks. Check mirror and light-glass condition. **>>** [**Contact your rep to schedule your maintenance today!**](https://promos.toromontcat.com/en/pm-checklist/a-3-lightbox.html)   ###### About Company ![](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/BG_landing.jpg) [Toromont Cat](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/author/toromont-cat) Toromont Cat is your Cat Dealer in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, P.E.I., Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nunavut. We are dedicated to supplying and servicing new and used equipment, delivering a superior customer experience and exceptional product support to the markets we serve. ##### You might also like ![Take Control of Rising Fuel Costs with VisionLink](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/VisionLink%20equipment%20overlay%20networked%202000x1050.jpg) [Take Control of Rising Fuel Costs with VisionLink](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/take-control-of-rising-fuel-costs-with-visionlink) January 14, 2021 ![Parts.cat.com and Cat Central: One Account. Two Platforms. Total Convenience](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/PS%2011-25%20yellow%20days%20blog%20header.jpg) [Parts.cat.com and Cat Central: One Account. Two Platforms. Total Convenience](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/parts.cat.com-and-cat-central-one-account.-two-platforms.-total-convenience) January 14, 2021 ![How to Install a Battery and Find its Date Code](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/batteries-header-1.jpg) [How to Install a Battery and Find its Date Code](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/how-to-install-a-battery-and-find-its-date-code) January 14, 2021 ### Subscribe to Our Blog Add **Add something here** - [Recent](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/top-tasks-to-not-overlook-when-it-comes-to-your-equipment#tabs-0) - [Popular](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/top-tasks-to-not-overlook-when-it-comes-to-your-equipment#tabs-1) ![A Partnership Highlighting Local Talent](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/Vall%C3%A9e%20-%204DA5E%20-%20BLOG.png) [A Partnership Highlighting Local Talent](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/a-partnership-highlighting-local-talent) ![From First Time Cat Equipment Owner to Big Time Advocate](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/001%202000x1050%20B.jpg) [From First Time Cat Equipment Owner to Big Time Advocate](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/from-first-time-cat-equipment-owner-to-big-time-advocate) ![Take Control of Rising Fuel Costs with VisionLink](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/VisionLink%20equipment%20overlay%20networked%202000x1050.jpg) [Take Control of Rising Fuel Costs with VisionLink](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/take-control-of-rising-fuel-costs-with-visionlink) ![Where did Caterpillar’s trademark yellow come from?](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/Blog/Where%20did%20Caterpillar%E2%80%99s%20trademark%20yellow%20come%20from/Blog-img%20(1).png) [Where did Caterpillar’s trademark yellow come from?](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/where-did-caterpillars-trademark-yellow-come-from) ![From Snow to Rocks: How the Cat 938 Delivers for Excavation Pierre Daoust](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/V1-0024_DSCF%5B8716-8717%5D00000000.jpg) [From Snow to Rocks: How the Cat 938 Delivers for Excavation Pierre Daoust](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/from-snow-to-rocks-how-the-cat-938-delivers) ![Interview With a Heavy Equipment Tech -  Part 1](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/20211028_154122_2000x1050.jpg) [Interview With a Heavy Equipment Tech -  Part 1](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/interview-with-a-heavy-equipment-tech-part-1) Social Media Be part of our community, share pictures of your Cat machines in action and your stories, check out our contests and exclusive offers. | [![FB-color](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/Blog/Homepage/FB-color.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/mytoromontcat) | [![IG-color](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/Blog/Homepage/IG-color.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/toromontcat/) | [![LinkedIn-color](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hubfs/Blog/Homepage/LinkedIn-color.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/toromont-cat) | | --- | --- | --- | @ToromontCat ### Post By Topics - [HEAVY EQUIPMENT](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/topic/heavy-equipment) - [PARTS & SERVICE](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/topic/parts-service) - [TECHNOLOGY](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/topic/technology) - [NEWS](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/topic/news) - [PEOPLE](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/topic/people) - [STORIES](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/topic/stories) - [POWER](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/topic/power) - [MINING](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/topic/mining) - [CATERPILLAR100](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/topic/caterpillar100) - [TOROMONT HISTORY](https://blog.toromontcat.com/en/topic/toromont-history) ![logo](https://blog.toromontcat.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Newsletter%20Assets/logo.gif?width=140&name=logo.gif "logo") [NEW](https://www.toromontcat.com/newproducts) - [Heavy Equipment](https://www.toromontcat.com/new_products/new-heavy-equipment) - [Attachments](https://www.toromontcat.com/new_products/attachments) - [Cat Compact Equipment](https://www.toromontcat.com/new_products/cat-compact-equipment) - [Power Systems](https://www.toromontcat.com/new_products/power-systems)   [USED](https://www.toromontcat.com/used) - [Used Heavy Equipment](https://www.toromontcat.com/used/used-heavy-equipment) - [Used Attachments](https://www.toromontcat.com/used/attatchments) - [Used & Restored Parts](https://www.toromontcat.com/used/used-restored-parts) - [Used Generators](https://www.toromontcat.com/used/generators) - [Used Compact Construction Equipment](https://www.toromontcat.com/used/cat-compact-equipment) - [Used Forklifts](https://www.toromontcat.com/used/forklifts)   [RENTAL](https://www.toromontcat.com/rental) - [Heavy Equipment Rental](https://www.toromontcat.com/rental/heavy-equipment) - [Cat Compact Equipment](https://www.toromontcat.com/rental/cat-compact-equipment) - [Generator Rentals](https://www.toromontcat.com/rental/generator-rentals) - [Battlefield Equipment Rentals](https://www.toromontcat.com/rental/battlefield-equipment) [PARTS](https://www.toromontcat.com/parts) - [Toromont Cat Parts Store](https://www.toromontcat.com/parts/cat-parts-store) - [Reman](https://www.toromontcat.com/parts/reman) - [Used & Restored](https://www.toromontcat.com/parts/used-restored) - [Hoses & Hydraulics](https://www.toromontcat.com/parts/hoses-and-hydraulics) - [Undercarriage](https://www.toromontcat.com/parts/undercarriage) - [Yellowmark Parts](https://www.toromontcat.com/parts/yellowmark-parts) - [Engine Rebuild Kits](https://www.toromontcat.com/parts/engine-rebuild-kits) - [Truck Engines](https://www.toromontcat.com/parts/truck-engines) - [Ground Engaging Tools](https://www.toromontcat.com/parts/ground-engaging-tools) - [Preventative Maintenance Products](https://www.toromontcat.com/parts/preventative-maintenance-products)   [SERVICE](https://www.toromontcat.com/service) - [Equipment Management](https://www.toromontcat.com/service/equipment-management) - [Fluid Analysis Services](https://www.toromontcat.com/service/fluid-analysis-services) - [Cat Technology](https://www.toromontcat.com/service/cat-technology) - [Training](https://www.toromontcat.com/service/training) - [Cat Card](https://www.toromontcat.com/service/commercial-account) - [Power Systems](https://www.toromontcat.com/service/power-systems) - [Toromont Cat Rebuild](https://www.toromontcat.com/service/toromont-cat-rebuild) [INDUSTRIES](https://www.toromontcat.com/industries) - [Construction](https://www.toromontcat.com/industries-nav/construction) - [Mining](https://www.toromontcat.com/industries-nav/mining) - [Power Systems](https://www.toromontcat.com/industries-nav/power-systems) - [View All](https://www.toromontcat.com/industries-nav/view-all)   [ABOUT](https://www.toromontcat.com/about) - [About Toromont Cat](https://www.toromontcat.com/about/about-toromont-cat) - [Contact Us](https://www.toromontcat.com/about/contact-us) - [Careers](https://www.toromontcat.com/about/toromont-careers) - [Branch Locator](https://www.toromontcat.com/about/locations-contacts) - [All Branches](https://www.toromontcat.com/about/all-branches) - [Investor Info](https://www.toromontcat.com/about/investor-info) - [News & Media](https://www.toromontcat.com/about/news-media) - [Community Involvement](https://www.toromontcat.com/about/community-involvement) - [Customer Experience](https://www.toromontcat.com/about/customer-experience)   [ONLINE TOOLS](https://www.toromontcat.com/online-tools)   ©2021 Toromont Industries Ltd. All Rights Reserved. [Copyright](https://www.toromont.com/copyright.asp)   [Privacy Statement](https://www.toromont.com/policy.asp)   [Policies](https://www.toromont.com/policies.asp)   [Accessibility](https://www.toromont.com/accessibilityform_en.asp)   [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](https://www.facebook.com/mytoromontcat) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/toromont-cat)