Civic.ly builds in checklists for a hedge trimmer — a quick graded Check and a thorough itemised Sweep, with Electric/Petrol variants where relevant. Both appear in the checklist picker for the matching asset type, and any fault raises a defect automatically.

Before you use this checklist: you don't build these — they're built in and matched to your assets. To put one on someone's phone, create an inspection (or a job) on the asset and pick the checklist. A checklist only appears for the right asset type. See How to Use a Checklist.

Electric hedge trimmer: there's an (Electric) variant that swaps fuel/oil items for charging and high-voltage checks. The standard version is shown below; pick the variant that matches the machine.

Hedge Trimmer Check (quick, graded)

Covers: Hedge Trimmer, Hedge cutter. recommended daily.

SAFETY
Anti-Vibration & Handles
SoundAV Mount WornHandle LooseGrip DamagedN/A
ⓘ Guidance
Check the anti-vibration mounts, handles, and grips on the hedge trimmer for wear, splits, or looseness (a key HAVS control).
Controls & Safety Devices
FunctioningThrottle StickingLock-Off FaultyDead-Man Control FaultyStop Switch FailedN/A
ⓘ Guidance
Test the controls and safety devices on the hedge trimmer — throttle / trigger, throttle lock-off, stop / kill switch, operator-presence (dead-man) control, and chain brake where fitted.
Housing & Guards
SecureGuard LooseGuard MissingDeflector DamagedSafety Label MissingHousing CrackedN/A
ⓘ Guidance
Inspect the housing, guards, deflectors, and safety decals on the hedge trimmer. Check nothing is cracked, missing, or bypassed.
FUNCTIONALITY
Air Filter & Cooling
ClearAir Filter DirtyCooling Intake BlockedAir Filter MissingN/A
ⓘ Guidance
Check the air filter and cooling intakes / fins on the hedge trimmer are clean and clear of dust, grass, and debris.
Cutting / Working Attachment
GoodBlunt / WornDamagedNot SecureMissingN/A
ⓘ Guidance
Inspect the cutting or working attachment on the hedge trimmer — blade, line, chain, tines, auger, or impeller as fitted. Check condition, sharpness, security, and that it is undamaged.
Start & Running
SmoothHard to StartRough RunningExcessive VibrationWill Not StartN/A
ⓘ Guidance
Start the hedge trimmer and run it briefly. Check it starts readily and runs / idles smoothly with no unusual noise, excessive smoke, or vibration.
Usage / Trigger Time
Enter a number
ⓘ Guidance
Record the running / trigger time used on the hedge trimmer this shift, in minutes (for HAVS and noise-exposure tracking).
CONDITION
Fuel & Fluid Levels
AdequateLow FuelLow Engine OilLow Chain OilWrong Two-Stroke MixEmptyContaminatedN/A
ⓘ Guidance
Check the fuel and fluid levels on the hedge trimmer — fuel or two-stroke mix, engine oil (four-stroke machines), and chain/bar oil where fitted.
Overall Condition
NewGoodFairPoorCritical
ⓘ Guidance
Based on all checks performed, assess the overall condition of the hedge trimmer. This rating will update the asset's condition record.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Exhaust & Fumes
CleanSlight SmokeExcessive SmokeBlowing ExhaustSilencer LooseN/A
ⓘ Guidance
Run the hedge trimmer and observe the exhaust. Check for excessive smoke, abnormal fumes, or a blowing / insecure exhaust or silencer.
Fluid Leaks
No LeaksWeeping ResidueOil LeakFuel LeakActive DripN/A
ⓘ Guidance
Check the hedge trimmer and the ground beneath it for fuel, oil, or lubricant leaks.

Hedge Trimmer Sweep (thorough, itemised)

Covers: Hedge Trimmer, Hedge cutter. recommended daily.

CONDITION
Overall Condition
NewGoodFairPoorCritical
ⓘ Guidance
Based on all checks performed, assess the overall condition of the hedge trimmer. This rating will update the asset's condition record.
SWEEP
00 Usage / Trigger Time
Enter a number
ⓘ Guidance
Record the running / trigger time used on the hedge trimmer this shift, in minutes (for HAVS and noise-exposure tracking).
01 Housing / casing
OKN/ACasing damage
ⓘ Guidance
Check the housing and casing of the hedge trimmer for cracks or damage.
02 Guards & deflectors
OKN/AGuard damaged or missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check all guards and deflectors are fitted, secure, and undamaged.
03 Safety labels & decals
OKN/ASafety label missing
ⓘ Guidance
Check the safety labels and warning decals are present and legible.
04 Cutter blades
OKN/ACutter blade damage
ⓘ Guidance
Check the reciprocating cutter blades are sharp, undamaged, and move freely.
05 Blade tip guard
OKN/ATip guard fault
ⓘ Guidance
Check the blade tip protector / guard is fitted and undamaged.
06 Hand guard
OKN/AHand guard fault
ⓘ Guidance
Check the front hand guard is fitted and secure.
07 Blade gearbox / drive
OKN/ABlade drive fault
ⓘ Guidance
Check the blade gearbox / drive is sound with no excess play or leaks.
08 Engine oil level
OKN/AEngine oil low
ⓘ Guidance
On a four-stroke machine, check the engine oil is between the marks.
09 Fuel / two-stroke mix
OKN/AFuel level low
ⓘ Guidance
Check the fuel level, and that any two-stroke mix is the correct ratio and fresh.
10 Air filter
OKN/AAir filter blocked
ⓘ Guidance
Check / clean the air filter.
11 Cooling fins / air intake
OKN/ACooling intake blocked
ⓘ Guidance
Check the cooling fins / air-intake vents are clear of dust, grass, and debris.
12 Fuel / oil leaks
OKN/ALeak found
ⓘ Guidance
Check the hedge trimmer and the ground beneath it for fuel, oil, or lubricant leaks.
13 Anti-vibration mounts
OKN/AAV mount worn
ⓘ Guidance
Check the anti-vibration mounts for wear, splits, or looseness.
14 Handles & grips
OKN/AHandle or grip damaged
ⓘ Guidance
Check the handles and grips are secure and undamaged.
15 Throttle / trigger
OKN/AThrottle sticking
ⓘ Guidance
Check the throttle / trigger operates smoothly and returns to idle.
16 Throttle lock-off
OKN/ALock-off faulty
ⓘ Guidance
Check the throttle lock-off / interlock works.
17 Stop / kill switch
OKN/AStop switch failed
ⓘ Guidance
Test the stop / kill switch stops the machine.
18 Cold start
OKN/AWill not start
ⓘ Guidance
Check the hedge trimmer starts readily from cold.
19 Running & idle
OKN/ARuns rough
ⓘ Guidance
Check the hedge trimmer runs and idles smoothly with no unusual noise or vibration.
20 Exhaust & fumes
OKN/AExhaust fault
ⓘ Guidance
Check the exhaust / silencer is secure with no excessive smoke or fumes.

Using these checklists in Civic.ly

Every checklist here is built into Civic.ly as a standard template — you don't recreate it. Add the asset, create the inspection or job (standalone or via a routine), pick the checklist, and it appears on the assigned person's phone, with any fault raising a defect automatically. New to this? See How to Use a Checklist.

Common Questions

Run the quick Check as a pre-use look before the machine is used, and the thorough Sweep periodically. Capturing running hours also helps you manage HAVS and noise exposure.

These are the operator's routine checks, not the manufacturer's service schedule — keep to the handbook's servicing intervals as well.