Mobile Plant Pre‑Start Checklist: The Complete 2025 Guide
Mobile plant pre‑start checklist processes are the first and most reliable control to prevent equipment failures, incidents, and costly downtime. In this guide, you’ll get exactly what to include in a daily pre‑start, how to modernise it with digital checklists, and how DIGI CLIP helps you capture evidence (photos, geo‑time stamps, and corrective actions) so you’re audit‑ready and operationally sharp.
Quick Highlights
- Covers excavators, loaders, skid steers, forklifts, graders, & more
- Build a consistent, defensible record of inspections with photos
- Automated alerts & an Action Register ensure issues are closed out
- Offline capable — operators complete checks without signal and submit once back online
- Faster start‑of‑shift with reusable templates and smart fields
Table of Contents
Why Mobile Plant Pre‑Starts Matter
Daily pre‑starts catch defects before they become failures. They reduce unplanned downtime, improve operator accountability, and create a clear audit trail for regulators and insurers. When done digitally, you also gain real‑time visibility and trend data to prioritise maintenance.
Want a broader view of workplace safety digitisation? See how digital checklists lift workplace safety and the top benefits of inspection apps for compliance. For WHS guidance on plant, review Safe Work Australia’s Managing Risks.
What to Include in a Mobile Plant Pre‑Start Checklist
Use these core sections across all plant types. Keep questions short, unambiguous, and outcome‑based.
- Identification & Hours: Asset ID, rego/fleet no., site/location, hours/ODO
- Walk‑around: panels/guards, steps/handrails, mirrors, signage/decals, attachments fitted
- Fluids & Levels: engine oil, hydraulic fluid, coolant, fuel/DEF, leaks
- Tyres/Tracks & Wheels: cuts, chunking, inflation/tension, wheel nuts, rims
- Hydraulics: hoses, cylinders, couplings, quick‑hitch locking
- Electrics: battery, lights, horn, beacons, work lamps, harnesses
- Controls & Cabin: seat/seatbelt, controls, gauges, FOPS/ROPS condition, wipers/washer
- Brakes & Steering: service/park brake test, steering play
- Fire & First Aid: extinguisher present/in‑date, first aid kit
- Safety & Environment: spill kit, isolation/LOTO tags, housekeeping, fluid containment
- Attachments: pins/retainers, wear plates/edges, hoses, quick‑connect safety
- Defects & Actions: capture issue, photo, severity, due date, responsible person
Need sector examples? Explore mining pre‑starts & maintenance or industry‑specific digital checklists.
Equipment‑Specific Add‑Ons (Excavator, Loader, Skid Steer, Forklift)
Excavator
- Track tension & rollers
- Swing bearing & slew ring noise/play
- Boom/stick cracks, bucket teeth, quick hitch lock test
Wheel Loader
- Articulation joint wear
- Transmission/axle leaks
- Bucket cutting edge & tilt function
Skid Steer
- Auxiliary hydraulics couplers
- Safety interlocks/seat switch
- ROPS/FOPS integrity
Forklift
- Mast chains/rollers & carriage plate
- Forks wear/heel thickness
- Load plate present & legible
Paper vs Digital: Which Is Best?
| Factor | Paper Pre‑Starts | Digital Pre‑Starts (DIGI CLIP) |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence | Hard to prove action taken; photos separate | Photos, geo‑time stamps, sign‑off, and audit trail in one record |
| Speed | Manual filing & data entry | 1‑tap submit; automated email alerts & Action Register |
| Reliability | Lost or illegible forms | Standardised templates; mandatory fields prevent gaps |
| Analytics | None or delayed | Dashboards & trends for proactive maintenance |
| Offline | N/A | Work offline; operators submit when back online |
| Cost | Printing, storage, admin time | Predictable per‑user subscription; faster close‑out |
For a deep dive into the ROI of apps, read our guide to digital inspection apps for compliance and how to move from paper to digital. For statutory context, see Safe Work Australia’s Plant safety topic page.
How to Implement Digital Pre‑Starts in 7 Steps
- Standardise one checklist per plant type (share attachments where possible).
- Simplify wording; keep each line a single, observable check.
- Enforce mandatory photos for critical items (e.g., cracks, tyre/track condition).
- Route defects to an Action Register with due dates & owners.
- Train operators in 10 minutes—demo capture, photo, submit.
- Monitor submissions daily; review unresolved actions weekly.
- Report trends monthly—repeat faults, top assets by downtime, recurring parts.
Free Template: Mobile Plant Pre‑Start Checklist (Structure)
Use this structure in DIGI CLIP. It follows our standard format for clarity and defensibility.
Form Purpose
Confirm that mobile plant is safe and fit for use before operation. Capture defects, evidence, and actions.
Instructions
Select Yes, No, or N/A for each item. If No, describe the issue, add a photo, and create/assign an action.
Form Details
- Date & time; Site/Location
- Operator name & signature
- Asset ID; Fleet/Reg; Hours/ODO
Checklist Sections
- Walk‑around condition
- Fluids & leaks
- Tyres/Tracks & wheels
- Hydraulics & attachments
- Electrics & warning devices
- Brakes, steering & controls
- Cabin (seatbelt, ROPS/FOPS, visibility)
- Fire safety & first aid
- Defects logged & actions raised
Declaration
“By signing below, I declare that the information provided in this form is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge based on the information available to me.”
Signature: __________________________
Why DIGI CLIP Fits Mobile Plant Operations
- Mobile‑first: one‑tap capture with photos, comments, and signatures
- Evidence‑ready: geo‑time stamps, user attribution, and PDF exports
- Action Register: assign, escalate, and close out with reminders
- Offline‑capable: complete pre‑starts without signal; submit later when back online
- Analytics: identify recurring issues and high‑risk assets
About DIGI CLIP Mobile Forms
DIGI CLIP is a mobile checklist and inspection app that simplifies safety, compliance, and operational reporting. Designed for industries like transport, warehousing, agriculture, and construction, DIGI CLIP replaces paper forms with real‑time digital checklists. Built‑in photo capture, automated alerts, geo‑time stamping, and an Action Register ensure nothing gets missed.
Why Try DIGI CLIP?
Because safety actions don’t count if you can’t prove them. Start your free trial—no credit card needed—and see how simple compliance can be.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mobile plant pre‑start checklist?
It’s a short, structured inspection done before operating plant to confirm it’s safe, compliant, and ready for use. It records defects and assigns actions.
How long should a pre‑start take?
Typically 5–10 minutes per asset, depending on plant type and site controls. Digital checklists reduce admin and ensure critical items aren’t missed.
Can operators complete pre‑starts offline?
Yes. With DIGI CLIP, operators can complete pre‑starts offline and submit once connectivity is restored; the data then transmits to the cloud record.
What evidence is best for audits?
Time/date stamps, user attribution, photos of issues, and a closed‑loop action trail (who, what, when). DIGI CLIP packages this into exportable PDFs.
Do I need equipment‑specific checks?
Yes—add targeted items for excavators, loaders, skid steers, and forklifts (e.g., quick‑hitch lock, mast chains, articulation joints).
How do digital pre‑starts save money?
They minimise unplanned downtime, prevent repeat defects, cut admin time, and improve parts planning through trend analysis.
Conclusion: Make Your Mobile Plant Pre‑Start Checklist Work Harder
Your mobile plant pre‑start checklist should be fast for operators, tough on defects, and watertight for audits. Digital pre‑starts with DIGI CLIP give you photo‑rich evidence, instant alerts, and clear accountability so issues don’t linger. Reduce risk, protect uptime, and prove compliance—every shift.