Wheel Balancer Daily Calibration Inspection

Daily inspection checklist to confirm the wheel balancer passes zero-calibration and cone-spin checks, ensuring equipment accuracy and compliance with tire shop quality standards.

Inspection Details

• Inspection Date and Time
  Record the date and time this calibration check is being performed.
• Technician Name
  Full name of the technician performing this calibration check.
• Wheel Balancer Make and Model
  Enter the manufacturer and model number of the wheel balancer being inspected (e.g., Hunter Road Force Elite, Coats 9028A).
• Equipment Asset / Serial Number
  Enter the shop asset tag or manufacturer serial number for traceability.

Pre-Calibration Equipment Condition

• Balancer is powered on and self-diagnostic startup completes without error codes
  Observe the startup sequence. Confirm no fault codes or warning indicators are displayed on the console.
• Balancer shaft, flanges, and mounting cones are free of visible damage, cracks, or deformation
  Inspect the main shaft and all calibration cones for chips, cracks, or bending. Damaged cones produce inaccurate calibration results.
• Balancer is positioned on a level, stable floor surface — no rocking or movement when shaft is loaded
  Apply light downward pressure to the shaft. The machine must not rock. An unlevel balancer introduces systematic error in all readings.
• Guard/hood is present, undamaged, and closes fully without obstruction
  Confirm the safety hood or guard is intact and latches correctly. Per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.212, machine guarding must be in place before operation.
• Power cord and foot pedal/control cable are free of cuts, fraying, or exposed conductors
  Visually inspect the full length of the power cord and any control cables. Damaged cords must be taken out of service per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.303.

Zero-Calibration (Zero-Cal) Check

• Calibration weight set is present, complete, and undamaged
  Confirm all calibration weights specified in the manufacturer's service manual are on hand and show no deformation or corrosion that would alter their mass.
• Zero-cal routine initiated per manufacturer procedure (no wheel or weight mounted on shaft)
  With the shaft bare, initiate the zero-cal sequence from the balancer console. Follow the OEM steps exactly — do not skip prompts.
• Zero-cal spin completes without vibration, noise, or error message
  Observe the spin cycle. Abnormal vibration or noise indicates a bearing or shaft issue. An error message must be investigated before proceeding.
• Zero-cal result displayed — static imbalance reading (oz or grams)
  Record the static imbalance value shown after the zero-cal spin. Acceptable range is typically ≤ 0.1 oz (≤ 3 g); confirm against your machine's specification.
• Zero-cal result is within the manufacturer's acceptable tolerance (≤ 0.1 oz / ≤ 3 g or per OEM spec)
  Confirm the recorded zero-cal reading falls within the acceptable tolerance stated in the manufacturer's calibration manual. If out of tolerance, the machine must be re-zeroed or removed from service.
• Zero-cal accepted / confirmed on console — machine ready indicator displayed
  Confirm the balancer console shows a 'calibration accepted' or equivalent ready state after the zero-cal routine completes successfully.

Cone-Spin (Reference Wheel) Verification

• Calibration/reference wheel assembly is dedicated, undamaged, and stored clean
  The reference wheel must not be used for customer service. Inspect for bent rim, missing test weight, or contamination that would alter the known imbalance value.
• Reference wheel mounted securely on shaft with correct cone and wing nut — no wobble detected
  Mount the reference wheel using the appropriate centering cone per the manufacturer's mounting procedure. Spin the wheel by hand to confirm no wobble before initiating the powered spin.
• Cone-spin test initiated and completes without error, vibration, or noise
  Run the full spin cycle with the reference wheel. Abnormal noise or vibration must be investigated before the machine is returned to service.
• Balancer-reported imbalance value for reference wheel (oz or grams)
  Record the imbalance value displayed by the balancer for the reference wheel. Compare to the known reference value marked on the wheel or in the calibration log.
• Reported imbalance is within ± 0.25 oz (± 7 g) of the reference wheel's known value
  Compare the displayed reading to the known imbalance value of the reference wheel. A deviation greater than ± 0.25 oz indicates sensor drift or mechanical issue — remove from service and contact service technician.
• Cone-spin angle/position reading is repeatable — second spin result matches first spin within ± 5°
  Perform a second spin without repositioning the wheel. The angle of heaviest point must be consistent between spins, confirming sensor repeatability.

Calibration Outcome and Corrective Actions

• Overall calibration result
  Select the outcome of today's calibration check.
• If FAIL: Out-of-service tag physically attached to the balancer and machine is de-energized
  If the machine failed calibration and cannot be corrected on-site, confirm an out-of-service tag is attached and the machine is locked out per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 (LOTO) until serviced.
• Deficiencies or observations noted during this inspection
  Describe any deficiencies, near-misses, or observations that require follow-up. Enter 'None' if no issues were found.
• Corrective action taken or work order number (if applicable)
  If any corrective action was taken or a service work order was opened, record the details or WO number here.
• Inspector Signature
  Technician signature confirming all checks were performed accurately and results are truthfully recorded.