Pre-pour boom inspection checklist

A pre-pour boom inspection is a short, repeatable walk-around that checks the structure, hydraulics, controls, delivery line and setup before concrete goes in. This checklist is a general guide and does not replace your manufacturer's inspection schedule or your regulator's requirements.

Why a checklist beats memory

Faults on a boom pump are often easy to spot, but only if someone is looking. A written routine means the same checks happen on the first job of the week and the last job of the day. Pre-pour inspection is quick when it is a habit, and far cheaper than a breakdown in the middle of a pour.

This list is a starting point. Add the items your manufacturer and your regulator require, and keep a record of what you find.

1. Walk around the truck

  • Tyres, wheels and wheel nuts
  • Leaks under the truck and pump
  • Lights, mirrors and warning signs
  • Fluid levels, including hydraulic oil and water tank
  • Guards and covers in place, with nothing loose or missing
  • Tools and cleanout gear secured and complete

2. Outriggers and stability

  • Outrigger legs, pads and cylinders for damage or leaks
  • Pins, locks and leg extensions moving freely and locking positively
  • Spreader pads in good condition
  • Ground checked before setting down
  • Machine level after setup
  • Setup matched to the boom work that is planned

3. Boom structure

  • Visible cracks, bent sections or damaged welds on the boom sections
  • Hinge pins, retaining bolts and bushes secure and not excessively worn
  • Hydraulic rams and hoses free of leaks, chafing and damage
  • The boom lock released correctly and the travel supports clear
  • Delivery pipe along the boom free of excessive wear, dents and leaks at the couplings

4. Delivery line and end hose

  • Pipe wall wear at bends and the delivery line clamps
  • Couplings and gaskets intact and closing fully
  • end hose free of cracks, bulges, exposed reinforcement and soft spots
  • Any safety chain or restraint in place and in good condition
  • The line's pressure rating suits the pump's maximum pressure

5. Pump unit and wear parts

  • Hopper, agitator and grate in place and free of old concrete
  • Wear on the wear plate and cutting ring within the manufacturer's limit
  • Seals and cylinders showing no unusual leakage
  • Lubrication points greased
  • Oil level, oil temperature and filter indicators within range

6. Controls and safety systems

  • Remote control charged, working and matched to the machine
  • Cabled backup control if fitted
  • Emergency stop buttons on the machine and the remote working, tested before the pour
  • Warning lights, alarms and limit switches working
  • Gauges readable and responding

7. Site checks before unfolding

  • Overhead power lines identified and clearance distances confirmed
  • Exclusion zone marked
  • Placing crew briefed on signals and who gives them
  • Truck access and discharge point agreed
  • Weather and wind conditions inside the machine's limits

What to do with a defect

If a check fails, do not pump through it. Record what you found, tag the machine as unfit if it is a safety item, and arrange repair before the next job. Safety-critical items include structural damage, a failed emergency stop, damaged outriggers and any hydraulic leak on the boom.

Keep inspection records. They show a pattern over time and prove the checks happened.

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Updated 2026-10-16. General information only; always follow your machine manufacturer's manual, site rules and local regulations.