Which instrument is commonly used during soft foot checks?

• A. Caliper
• B. Dial indicator
• C. Ruler
• D. Tape measure

Answer: (B)

Soft foot checks focus on making sure every machine foot sits flat on the floor and that the base plane is even. A dial indicator is ideal here because it can detect very small vertical differences in height across the feet. By positioning the indicator to contact the base near each foot and applying a light load, you can see which feet are higher or lower and by how much. This precise feedback guides where shims are needed to bring the entire base into contact and level. Other tools lack the precision required: calipers measure distances between two points on a single object, while rulers and tape measures are too coarse to reveal the tiny gaps that cause soft foot instability.