Quick answer: a pneumatic rock drill shipment should be released only after the inspected units and the shipment lot are matched to the purchase order, approved quotation and final data sheet. The buyer’s check should cover the exact model and configuration, shank and chuck interface, air/water/oiler and air-leg connections, visible condition, controlled functional-test evidence, supplied accessories and documents, preservation, and export packing. A machine that merely starts in a short video has not passed a complete pre-shipment inspection.
This checklist is written for mine and quarry procurement teams, drilling contractors, distributors and third-party inspectors buying handheld or air-leg pneumatic rock drills. It is an acceptance framework, not a substitute for the manufacturer’s operating and safety instructions. Test pressure, test duration, permissible leakage, measurement method and acceptance limits must be agreed for the exact model before inspection.
1. What a pneumatic rock drill pre-shipment inspection must prove
The inspection has one commercial purpose: to determine whether the offered shipment is the equipment the buyer approved and whether the recorded evidence is sufficient to release it. It should answer five questions:
- Identity: Is each inspected unit the ordered model, suffix and configuration?
- Compatibility: Do the shank, chuck, retainer, hose, flushing and air-leg interfaces match the approved system?
- Function: Does the unit start, control, rotate, impact and flush as required under the agreed test conditions?
- Completeness: Are the ordered accessories, spares, documents and markings present?
- Shipment protection: Is the equipment preserved and packed for the agreed transport route?
These questions must remain linked to the controlling documents. A catalog description can help screen a product, but the signed quotation, purchase order and approved data sheet should control the final acceptance. For example, the current PerfoMax YT28 air-leg rock drill page provides reference screening information while expressly directing buyers to the final quotation and data sheet for order control.
2. Freeze the acceptance baseline before the inspection date
Many inspection disputes begin because the purchase order names only “YT28,” “handheld rock drill” or another family term. That is not enough when suffixes, flushing arrangements, shank interfaces, hose connections or matched air legs can change the delivered configuration.
| Control item | Evidence to freeze before production | Pre-shipment comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Model and suffix | Approved quotation and data sheet revision | Nameplate, body marking and packing list |
| Drill-steel interface | Shank cross-section, shank length and any gauge requirement | Chuck/bushing fit, retainer engagement and approved sample steel or gauge |
| Flushing arrangement | Dry or wet configuration and connection details | Port arrangement and controlled flow check where applicable |
| Air supply interface | Hose size, coupling type, thread and operating baseline | Installed connections and test setup |
| Air-leg package | Exact leg model/suffix, mounting and included controls | Identity, mechanical fit, extension/holding check and leakage evidence |
| Accessories and spares | Itemized bill of supply with quantities | Counted and reconciled to the packing list |
| Marking and documents | Language, serial/lot traceability and document list | Photos and document-package review |
If an air leg is included, treat it as a controlled component rather than a generic accessory. The exact model and suffix matter. The current FT160-series air-leg matching page is one example of why the drill model, leg designation and interface should be confirmed together.
3. Inspect identity, workmanship and interfaces before running the tool
Begin with the tool isolated from the air supply. Record the inspected unit’s model and traceability marking, then compare them with the approved order. Check the housing, handles, fasteners, retainer, chuck area, ports and exposed threads for transport damage, cracks, heavy corrosion, missing parts, burrs or obvious assembly defects. Confirm that labels and directional markings are legible where specified.
Interface checks deserve their own record. A drill can run correctly yet still be unusable at site if its shank, chuck, hose or flushing connection does not match the buyer’s installed system. Use an approved drill-steel sample, plug/thread gauge or dimensioned reference when the contract calls for it. Do not infer fit from a similar-looking part.
For an H22-type system, the cross-section alone does not complete the interface description; the shank length and chuck/retainer arrangement also need confirmation. PerfoMax’s current Y19A handheld pneumatic rock drill and YT28 product information illustrate why the final order should identify the precise shank requirement instead of relying on a broad product family name.
4. Define a controlled functional test
A useful factory test is reproducible. The inspection request should identify the test rig, supply conditions, lubrication, fitted accessory, measurement points, test sequence and pass/fail limits. Follow the approved manufacturer procedure and site safety controls; do not extend no-load running merely to make a longer video.
At minimum, the record should show the air pressure at the agreed measurement point while the tool is being tested. Compressor outlet pressure by itself may not describe the pressure available at the drill because hose length, bore, fittings and flow losses affect the result. Where performance figures are contractual, also agree the instrument, calibration status and how the value will be calculated.
| Functional checkpoint | Evidence to record | Acceptance basis |
|---|---|---|
| Start, stop and throttle | Continuous video or witnessed observation showing control response | Approved operating procedure; no sticking or uncontrolled response |
| Rotation and impact | Observed sequence under the agreed setup | Model-specific requirement, not another model’s catalog value |
| Air leakage | Inspection around connections, controls and housing joints | Contractual limit or approved manufacturer criterion |
| Abnormal noise or vibration | Inspector observation tied to unit ID | Investigate deviations; sound alone is not a performance measurement |
| Water flushing, if fitted | Connection, control response and visible flow evidence | Approved wet-drilling configuration and test procedure |
| Air leg, if supplied | Extension, retraction/holding behavior, controls and leakage check | Exact matched model and agreed procedure |
Do not set a universal pressure, impact rate or air-consumption limit for all pneumatic drills. Current OEM product ranges show that models intended for similar hole ranges can still have different weights, air requirements and impact characteristics. The acceptance baseline therefore belongs to the ordered model and revision.
5. Require evidence that is traceable to the shipment
Inspection evidence should allow a buyer who was not present to reconstruct what was checked. A useful package includes:
- purchase order, approved quotation and final data-sheet revision;
- lot size and packing-list reference;
- sampled unit IDs or a defined lot/serial mapping;
- dated photographs of nameplates, interfaces, general condition and packing;
- functional-test video tied to the unit ID, not a generic demonstration;
- test pressure and measurement location, test method and result;
- instrument identification and calibration status where measurements control acceptance;
- nonconformance list, disposition and reinspection evidence;
- inspector name, date and release decision.
Ask for original files where detail matters. A compressed messaging-app video may hide a nameplate or leak, and a photograph without the unit ID cannot reliably prove which machine was inspected. Evidence quality is part of acceptance quality.
6. Decide what requires 100% inspection and what may be sampled
Sampling is a contract decision, not an afterthought made when the inspector arrives. Define the shipment lot, inspection level, sampling method, defect classes, acceptance criteria and reinspection rule in the purchase order or inspection plan.
Identity and easily checked safety- or compatibility-critical items often justify 100% verification: model/marking, visible transport damage, required ports, ordered accessories, and package count are examples. More time-consuming functional checks may use an agreed sample when lot history and risk justify it. However, the correct balance depends on order value, supplier history, field consequence and the buyer’s quality system.
ISO 2859-1:2026 provides AQL-indexed sampling schemes for lot-by-lot inspection of discrete items, but it does not select the buyer’s AQL or defect classification. AQL is not a guarantee of zero defects. The purchase contract should state the chosen plan and what happens when a sample fails.
7. Classify defects before inspection
Write examples of critical, major and minor defects for the order. Without predefined classes, the same finding may be treated as cosmetic by one party and shipment-blocking by another.
- Critical: a condition that creates an unacceptable safety risk or makes required safe verification impossible.
- Major: wrong model or interface, missing ordered function, failed control, unacceptable leakage, damaged working component, or another defect likely to prevent intended use.
- Minor: a limited workmanship or presentation issue that does not affect fit, function, safety or contractual documentation.
These are framework examples only. The buyer must tailor the definitions to the order and applicable requirements. Also define whether rework needs full reinspection, targeted reinspection, or a new sample.
8. Reconcile accessories, spares and documents
The drill body is only one line in the supplied system. Compare every included item with the purchase order: air and water fittings, oiler, air leg, hoses or couplings if ordered, tools, seals or spare kits, and any approved drill-steel sample. Check quantities, part descriptions and package identification.
The document package should contain the agreed operating/safety instructions, packing list, commercial documents and any contractual inspection records. If a certificate, material record or calibration record is required, name it in the purchase order before production. Do not request generic “certificates” at the last minute; specify the document, issuing party, applicable model/lot and acceptance purpose.
9. Inspect preservation and export packing
After functional checks, confirm that test moisture is removed where applicable and that exposed machined surfaces, ports and threads receive the agreed temporary protection. Open connections should be capped or otherwise protected against dirt and impact. Loose accessories must be restrained and identified.
Inspect the completed package, not only an empty crate. Check internal blocking, moisture protection where specified, package integrity, gross/net weight markings when required, case numbers and packing-list consistency. The suitable packing method depends on shipment mode, climate, storage time and destination rules, so those conditions should be stated in the order.
10. Use an eight-step buyer acceptance workflow
- Freeze the order: approve the final model, suffix, interfaces, accessories, documents and packing requirements.
- Issue the inspection plan: define lot, sample plan, 100% checkpoints, defect classes and pass/fail limits.
- Review readiness: obtain the supplier’s packing list, unit/lot list and test procedure before booking inspection.
- Verify identity and condition: compare markings, configuration and visible workmanship with controlled documents.
- Check interfaces: use approved samples, gauges or dimensions for shank, chuck, hose, flushing and air-leg connections.
- Witness functional tests: record the agreed supply conditions, controls, rotation/impact behavior, leakage and flushing/air-leg functions where applicable.
- Close nonconformances: document disposition and verify rework before release.
- Seal the evidence package: reconcile accessories, documents and final packing, then issue the release decision against the shipment lot.
10A. Shipment-Lot Release Matrix: RELEASE, CONDITIONAL, HOLD or REJECT
The inspector should finish with one lot-level disposition, not a folder of unchecked photos. The decision below links sampled-unit results, 100% identity checks, nonconformance closure and final packing to a shipment release. It does not replace the sampling plan: the purchase order must define the lot, sample size, defect classes, acceptance numbers and reinspection rule before testing begins.
| Release gate | Evidence required | Failure meaning | Lot action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order identity and traceability | Purchase order, approved data-sheet revision, lot size, serial or batch map, model/suffix and marking reconciliation | The inspected units cannot be proven to represent the ordered shipment | HOLD the lot until identity and mapping are restored; do not substitute photos from another unit |
| Critical interfaces | Shank/chuck/retainer, air inlet, flushing connection and air-leg pairing verified against the controlled drawing, approved sample or gauge | A functioning drill may still be unusable or unsafe at the buyer’s site | REJECT the affected configuration or approve a documented correction followed by reinspection |
| Functional test | Unit-linked record of the agreed supply condition, control response, impact, rotation, leakage, flushing and air-leg operation where applicable | Generic video or undocumented compressor pressure cannot prove conformity | HOLD for a controlled retest; expand inspection as the agreed failure rule requires |
| Sample result and containment | Actual sample drawn from the defined lot, defect classification, acceptance result and identification of all suspect units | A failed sample can indicate a lot problem beyond the tested unit | Apply the purchase-order containment, sort, rework and tightened or 100% reinspection rule before release |
| Nonconformance closure | Finding, root cause or bounded cause, authorized disposition, repair/rework evidence and reinspection result tied to unit IDs | An informal promise or replaced photo does not close the defect | Keep HOLD status until every shipment-blocking finding has objective closure evidence |
| Accessories, documents and quantities | Itemized count, part references, manuals, agreed reports, packing list and buyer/supplier responsibility reconciled | The drill body passes but the ordered working package is incomplete | CONDITIONAL only when the written contract allows a dated, assigned closure before dispatch; otherwise HOLD |
| Preservation and final packing | Dry-out where applicable, protected ports and surfaces, restrained contents, correct crate marks, final packing photos and seal/case references | Conforming equipment can be damaged or lose identity after testing | HOLD until the completed shipping package passes; re-open only under controlled reinspection |
Lot-level dispositions
- RELEASE: all mandatory gates pass, the sampling result meets the agreed plan, all blocking nonconformances are closed, and the inspected lot matches the packed shipment.
- CONDITIONAL: only explicitly permitted administrative items remain, with an owner, due date and dispatch hold point. Never use CONDITIONAL for an unresolved safety, identity, compatibility or function defect.
- HOLD: evidence is missing, a test is invalid, a sample fails pending containment, or final packing has not been verified.
- REJECT / RETURN FOR CORRECTION: the wrong configuration, an uncorrected major or critical defect, or repeated failed reinspection makes the lot unacceptable under the order.
Copy-ready pneumatic rock drill PSI release record
Buyer / supplier / inspection location: Purchase order / quotation / data-sheet revision: Article or equipment family: Lot definition and total quantity: Sample plan, inspection level, AQL and defect classes: Units selected and selection method: 100% identity / marking result: Shank, chuck, retainer and drill-steel interface result: Air inlet, hose, coupling and restraint result: Flushing and water-connection result: Air-leg model, interface and function result: Functional-test procedure and unit IDs: Loaded pressure, measurement point and instrument ID: Start / stop / throttle / impact / rotation observations: Leakage, abnormal noise, vibration or temperature observations: Accessories, spares and document reconciliation: Nonconformance IDs and dispositions: Rework / containment / reinspection result: Preservation, crate, case mark and final-photo references: Final status: RELEASE / CONDITIONAL / HOLD / REJECT Open actions, owner and due date: Inspector, buyer approver and release date:
Keep this record with the final packing list and original evidence files. The release applies only to the identified lot and packing configuration; it should not be reused as a generic certificate for later shipments.
11. Common inspection mistakes that create field losses
- Accepting a family name: “YT28” or “pneumatic drill” may omit the shank, flushing and matched-leg configuration.
- Testing under undocumented conditions: a video without inlet pressure, setup and unit identity cannot support a performance conclusion.
- Using another model’s numbers: similar hole capability does not make model-specific air or impact data interchangeable.
- Checking only one showcase unit: evidence must map to the shipment lot and the agreed sampling plan.
- Ignoring interfaces: a functioning drill still fails commercially if it cannot connect to the buyer’s steel, hoses, oiler or air leg.
- Inspecting before packing only: final preservation, accessories and crate condition can introduce shipment risk after the test.
- Leaving rejection rules undefined: a sample failure needs a pre-agreed containment, rework and reinspection path.
12. Information to send with an inspection or quotation request
To prepare a workable acceptance plan, provide the target application, exact drill model/configuration, drill-steel shank, air and water connections, required air-leg model, operating baseline, ordered accessories/spares, quantity and lot structure, destination, shipment mode, document language, required evidence, and inspection/sampling rules.
Buyers reviewing candidate equipment can start with the active PerfoMax rock drills collection. For an existing unit with slow drilling or low power, use the published YT28 troubleshooting guide; acceptance testing should not be confused with field fault diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
Should every pneumatic rock drill be function-tested before shipment?
Not automatically under one universal rule. The purchase order should define which checks are 100% and which may be sampled. Model identity, obvious damage, required interfaces and package count are often practical 100% checks, while a controlled functional test may follow an agreed risk-based sampling plan. High-consequence orders can justify broader testing.
Is a no-load running video enough for acceptance?
No. It can support the record, but it does not by itself prove the correct model, interface, air supply condition, leakage limit, shipment-lot identity, accessories or packing. Tie the video to a unit ID and record the approved test setup and results.
What pressure should be used for the factory test?
Use the pressure and measurement point agreed for the exact ordered model in the final data sheet or approved test procedure. Do not substitute compressor outlet pressure for tool-inlet pressure without agreement, and do not copy a value from another drill model.
How should H22 compatibility be checked?
Confirm the complete ordered interface, including the cross-section, shank length, chuck/bushing and retainer arrangement. Use an approved drill-steel sample, gauge or controlled drawing. “H22” alone may not define every fit-critical detail.
What happens if the inspection sample fails?
Follow the pre-agreed inspection plan. It should state how the lot is contained, whether the supplier sorts or reworks it, what evidence is required, and whether reinspection uses the original rule, a tightened rule or 100% verification. Do not release the lot on an informal promise to correct it later.
Technical references
Build the acceptance plan around the exact order
A strong pneumatic rock drill pre-shipment inspection starts before the inspector reaches the factory. Freeze the configuration, define evidence and sampling, and make the release decision against the real shipment lot. To confirm a model, interface and commercial inspection route for your application, review PerfoMax’s pneumatic rock drill range or send the application and order requirements for quotation.