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To be sure your vehicle is ready to operate, conduct a pre-trip inspection
at the beginning of each work period. Follow the steps listed in this
section to assure a proper vehicle inspection procedure. The pages in
this section may be produced locally and used on a regular basis.
VEHICLE INSPECTION INFORMATION
Note:Always make sure the parking brake is applied before starting the
engine.
Engine compartment (with engine stopped)
Engine oil level:Use the engine oil dipstick to verify that the
engine oil level is between the FULL and ADD
marks.
Engine coolant
level:Look through the plastic reservoir or the clear
sight glass on the reservoir, depending upon
vehicle equipment, and make sure the fluid is
within the minimum and maximum fluid level
range as marked on the reservoir.Do not
remove pressure cap until the coolant has
cooled.
Power steering fluid:Verify that the fluid level is between the full
and refill marks.
Brake fluid (master
cylinder):Remove the master cylinder caps and inspect
the fluid level. The full mark is at the bottom
of the opening of the port ring.
Hydraulic clutch
fluid:Check for adequate amount of hydraulic clutch
fluid. Fluid level should be at the step of the
reservoir; refer toClutch fluid/linkage
adjustmentsin theMaintenance and
specificationschapter.
Fan, alternator,
water pump/drive
belt:Press belt to test that it is snug. Check for
frays, cracks, loose fibers or visible signs of
wear. If it deflects more than 1.25 cm–2cm
(1/2–3/4 inch), slippage is probably excessive.
Air compressor:Check belts (if equipped). Same for water
pump.
Refrigerant
compressor:Check belts (if equipped). Same for water
pump.
2004 F650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA English(fus)
Vehicle inspection guide
Vehicle inspection guide
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Engine compartment (with engine stopped)
Any leaks:Check for signs of fluid puddles, dripping fluid
on the ground under the engine or the
underside of the engine.
HVAC air inlet:Check for debris, leaves, etc. that may have
collected on the HVAC air inlet grille or inside
the exterior module as this may cause reduced
system performance.
HVAC fresh air filter
(if equipped):Periodically check the HVAC fresh air filter for
cleanliness.
Exercise great caution when working on vehicle equipped with
an automatic fan clutch. The fan starts in motion only after the
engine coolant reaches a predetermined temperature or the refrigerant
pressure (if equipped with air conditioning) reaches a predetermined
setting. The fan will start at these point with no advance warning.
Never reach near, or permit objects to protrude into, the fan blade
radius while the engine is running as this could result in vehicle
damage, personal injury or death.
Engine starting (with parking brake applied)
Safety/Emergency
equipment:Prior to entering the cab, verify that the
vehicle is equipped with spare electrical fuses
(if used), three red reflective triangles, a
properly charged and rated fire extinguisher
and wheel chocks. Walk around the vehicle
and check that all steps and grab handles,
inside and out as well as behind, are tight and
clean. Use extreme caution and a three-point
stance at all times. Check door latches for
positive closing, latching and locking.
Clutch/Gearshift:Depress the clutch (if equipped with a manual
transmission) and verify the transmission is in
neutral before turning on the starter. Keep the
pedal depressed until the engine reaches idling
speed.
Oil pressure builds:Make sure engine oil pressure is building to
normal operating range.
2004 F650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA English(fus)
Vehicle inspection guide
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Engine starting (with parking brake applied)
Air chime sounds (if
equipped with air
compressor):The low air pressure warning chime should
sound immediately after the engine starts but
before the compressor has built up some
pressure. The low air pressure warning chime
should stop when the air pressure reaches 483
kPa (70 psi) (or more). Let the air pressure
build to governed cut-out pressure, which
should occur between 793–896 kPa (115–130
psi).
Accelerator:Depress the accelerator and verify that it
operates smoothly without any binding or
irregular feel. Remove your foot from the
pedal and make sure the engine returns to idle
speed immediately.
Ammeter/Voltmeter:Check the gauge to see if the alternator is
charging.
Steering linkage
free play:Check for excessive free play in the steering
linkages. The steering wheel should have less
than 5 cm (2 inches) of free play at rim of
steering wheel.
Hydraulic brake
check:Pump the brake pedal three times, then apply
firm pressure to the pedal and hold it for five
seconds. The pedal should not move; if it does,
there may be a leak or another problem. Do
not drive the vehicle until the problem is
fixed.
Parking brake:Check that the parking brake will hold the
vehicle by gently trying to pull forward with
the parking brake applied.
2004 F650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA English(fus)
Vehicle inspection guide
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Engine starting (with parking brake applied)
Air brake check:Check the air brakes in the following manner
(Chock the wheels, if necessary. Push in the
parking brake and on tractors, also push in the
tractor protection valve knob):
1. Check the air compressor or governor
cut-out pressure (approximately 305 kPa [120
psi]).
2. Cut-off the engine and turn the key back to
ON, without starting the engine.
3. Without the brake pedal applied, note the
air pressure drop for one minute. It should be
less than 5 kPa (2 psi) for single vehicle and 8
kPa (3 psi) for combination vehicles.
4. Depress and hold the brake pedal with 621
kPa (90 psi) or more and make sure there is
no more than a 8 kPa (3 psi) per minute leak.
For combination vehicles, no more than 10
kPa (4 psi) per minute.
5. Step on and off the brake pedal and check
for the warning light and chime to activate
between 163-193 kPa (64–76 psi).
6. Step on and off the brake pedal and make
sure the tractor protection and parking brake
knobs pop out between 138–310 kPa (20–45
psi)
7. Restart the engine, shift to a lower gear and
gently pull against the service and parking
brakes separately to make sure they hold.
Automatic
transmission fluid:With the engine idling (at normal operating
temperature) and the parking brake applied,
check the automatic transmission fluid. If fluid
needs to be added, place the transmission in
the appropriate gear as specified in the
transmission operator’s manual and refer to
Transmission fluidin theMaintenance and
specificationschapter.
2004 F650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA English(fus)
Vehicle inspection guide
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Front of vehicle
Lights:Make sure all lights illuminate and are clean.
Make sure headlights function on both high
and low beams. Make sure reflectors are clean
and unbroken and of proper color (red on
rear, amber elsewhere). Make sure the running
lights are also clean and unbroken. Rear
running lights must be checked separately
from signal, flasher and brake lights.
Steering gear:Look for: missing or loose fasteners, power
steering fluid leaks and damage to power
steering hoses.
Steering linkage:Make sure connecting links, arms and rods are
not worn or cracked; joints, sockets and boot
seals are not worn or loose and that there are
no loose or missing cotter keys, nuts or bolts.
Tow hooks:Front and rear tow hooks should be inspected
for damage or loose mounting. This is
particularly important on vehicles where tow
hooks are frequently used.
Front suspension
Spring:Check for missing, broken or shifted leaves or
leaves that are in contact, or nearly contacting
a tire, rim, brake drum, frame or body
components.
Spring mount:Check/Inspect spring hangers, bolts, bushings,
axle mounting bolts and nuts for cracks,
breaks, wear, damage, tightness and correct
component quality.
Shock absorber:Check for cracks, leaks and missing or broken
bolts or bushings.
Note:Never apply grease to spring pads.
Do not operate the vehicle if any suspension conditions listed in
theFront suspensionchart are evident. Loss of steering or
suspension could result in property damage, personal injury or death.
2004 F650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA English(fus)
Vehicle inspection guide
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Front brakes
Hoses:Checked for cracked, worn or frayed hoses.
Make sure all couplings are secured.
Chambers:Make sure brake chambers are not cracked or
dented and that they are securely mounted.
Slack adjuster:Check for broken, loose or missing parts; the
angle between the push rod and adjuster arm
should be approximately 90 degrees when the
brakes are applied. When pulled by hand, the
push rod should not move more than
approximately 2.5 cm (one inch).
Drum:Make sure there are no cracks, dents or holes
and no loose or missing bolts. Make sure brake
linings are not worn or dangerously thin or
contaminated by lubricant.
Front wheels
Rims:Check for damaged or bent rims. Rims should
not have welding repairs and no rust trails that
indicate it is loose on the wheel.
Lug nuts:Make sure all lug nuts are present and not
loose (look for rust trails around the lug nuts).
There should be no cracks radiating from the
lug bolt holes or distortion of the bolt holes.
Hub oil seal:Check wheel hub oil seal for leaks, and if sight
glass if present, check to see that the oil level
is adequate.
Oil-lubricated front
wheel bearing:If the hubcap has a transparent window, check
for proper lubrication level. If the hubcap does
not have a transparent window, remove the
rubber fill-plug and check for proper level.
If a wheel must be changed, obtain expert tire service help.
Mounting and un-mounting of tires should only be performed by
a qualified technician using necessary safety procedures and
equipment, otherwise the result could be property damage, personal
injury or death.
2004 F650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA English(fus)
Vehicle inspection guide
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Driver/Fuel area
Fuel tank:Make sure the fuel tank and caps are secure.
Make sure there is no damage to the tank.
Leaks:Check for any leaks from the fuel tanks.
Underbody of vehicle (rear of tractor)
Driveshaft:Make sure that the driveshaft is not bent or
cracked. Ensure all driveshaft couplings are
secure.
Exhaust system:Make sure the outside visible parts are
securely mounted. Make sure there are no
cracks, holes or severe dents.
Frame:Check for cracks or bends in longitudinal
frame members. Make sure there are no loose,
cracked, bent, broken or missing
crossmembers or crossmember fasteners.
Maintain adequate clearance between all parts of the exhaust
system and all hoses, wires and lines for engine cooling, brake
system, fuel system, power steering system and electrical system, Heat
damage to hoses, wires or lines may cause vehicle malfunction that
could result in property damage, personal injury or death.
2004 F650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA English(fus)
Vehicle inspection guide
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Truck/Tractor
Air/Electric lines:Make sure that air hoses are not cut, cracked,
chafed or worn (steel braid should not show
through). Listen for audible air leaks, Make
sure air and electrical lines are not tangled,
crimped or pinched or being dragged against
any truck/tractor parts. Electrical line
insulation should not be cut, cracked, chafed
or worn. None of the air or electrical line
should be spliced or taped. Check for
corrosion on pins and in electrical sockets to
ensure continuity and reduced heat build-up
potential.
Deck plate:Make sure deck plate is clean, securely bolted
to the tractor frame and clear of loose objects.
Lights, reflectors:Make sure reflectors are clean and none are
missing or broken. Check for proper color (red
on rear, amber elsewhere). All running lights
should be clean, not broken and proper color.
All running lights must be checked separately
from signal, flasher and brake lights.
Tractor - coupling system
Mounting bolts:Check for loose or missing mounting brackets,
clamps, bolts or nuts. Both fifth wheel and
slide mounting must be solidly attached.
Platform:Check for cracks or breaks in the platform
structure.
Safety latch:Make sure safety latch is engaged.
Release arm:Make sure safety latch is in the engaged
position and that any safety latch is in place.
Kingpin/Apron:Make sure kingpin is not bent or worn. Also
make sure that the apron lies flat on the fifth
wheel skid plate and that the visible part of
the apron is not bent, worn, cracked or
broken.
2004 F650/750(f67)
Supplement
USA English(fus)
Vehicle inspection guide
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