Motor Graders' Little Things Mean a Lot

They look pretty much the same as they did 20 or 30 years ago, and more than a few of them are actually that old and still working. But motor graders have improved significantly over the years in areas that aren't immediately visible. Climb into a grader's cab and you're confronted with

a bewildering array of levers. In an age where so many machines have simplified controls down to joysticks, buttons and switches, the motor grader keeps an "industry standard" set of controls that have endured relatively unchanged over the years. Why? Because motor-grader operators like it that way. Considered among the most skillful of all heavy-equipment operators, those who take the grader's controls prefer to keep the feel of the machine, much as automobile aficionados prefer manual shifts to automatic shifts.

But where those controls take the operator from there is the story. More horsepower, improved drive trains, and pumped-up hydraulics all contribute to added precision and production of the motor grader. A look at the latest offerings from grader manufacturers tells you why.

Case continues to expand its equipment line with the introduction of three motor graders. Ranging from 140 to 205 horsepower, the 800 Series features a one-piece, non-metallic sloping hood for excellent visibility and a streamlined design with many hoses covered for protection from the elements. Instead of swing-out engine-access doors, the Case graders have a flip-up hood and flip-down panels along the bottom of the hood.

A single-drive-gear motor turns the circle up to 360 degrees. The motor is mounted on the outside of the circle, reducing stress on the teeth of the circle and preventing debris or dirt from spilling onto the motor or into the drive-gear teeth.

In the cab, the operator has industry-standard controls, closed-center load-sensing hydraulics and 85 square feet of floor-to-ceiling glass. The powershift direct-drive transmission provides eight forward speeds and four reverse speeds. An inching pedal gives the operator a fine creep control for finish grading.

New from Volvo is the B-Series, comprised of five tandem-drive models and two all-wheel-drive models. All models are equipped with variable horsepower systems, which provide the correct power to the drive wheels for every application. A large variable displacement hydraulic pump allows the operator to reduce first gear ground speed by operating a lower rpm and retaining full hydraulic control, permitting precise moldboard positioning to match the grade requirement.

Volvo's largest grader in the line is the G746B, weighing 38,250 pounds and with 243 horsepower. This all-wheel-drive machine develops 30,259 pounds of blade pull. In the cab, the operator works with the Contronic Monitoring System, which monitors various machine functions. Performance information can be downloaded for maintenance diagnostic purposes.

Electronically controlled engine

The newest motor graders from Caterpillar are the 140H, 160H and 14H, with operating weights of 32,358 pounds, 34,560 pounds and 41,465 pounds, respectively. The machines are powered by Cat's electronically controlled 3176 ETA engine. The 140H and 160H offer the optional VHP Plus arrangement, which provides more horsepower in seventh and eighth gears. The three models have been re-engineered to reduce maintenance time, and fluid-change intervals have been extended.

The operator's compartment also has been redesigned for improved sightlines to the work area and enhanced operator comfort. Electronic throttle control is designed to make throttle operation easier and more precise, with the Electronic Clutch Pressure Control delivering optimized inching modulation and smooth, consistent shifting.

Komatsu's Laterra motor-grader line features a dual-mode transmission that allows the operator to move from torque converter to direct drive mode by a flip of a switch. The direct drive mode provides plenty of speed and, when used in conjunction with the inching pedal, gives operators the feel that they're used to. The torque converter mode can be used for slow speed control and power without stalling out under load. Blade geometry features a true 90-degree bankslope position, which makes for easy blade maneuvering while providing impressive reach and ground clearance.

Having been producing motor graders since 1949, New Holland now offers five machines from 76 to 205 horsepower. These latest graders have rear axles equipped with the automatically applied Super Max-Trac differential, which reduces slippage, eliminates tire scuffing and allows the machine to track. The Super Max-Trac also transmits up to 65 percent torque to the axle for great traction. In addition, some models offer unlock/lock differentials.

All new models feature New Holland's rollaway moldboard, which lowers the apex of the blade and keeps material from building up in front of the blade, reducing the amount of power and fuel needed to complete the job.

Another long-time manufacturer of motor graders, John Deere, started sales of its newest series machines in January 2002 and includes six models. Upgrades include improving internal components on the direct-drive transmission, increasing overall efficiency, and allowing the transmission to run cooler. The front wheels are powered by a dual path hydrostatic drive system with an independent pump and motor for each wheel. The inching pedal has been redesigned to give the operator more control when fine grading and working around obstacles. Those improvements, plus the integrated monitoring that's part of the horsepower-management system, results in all six wheels pulling the tractor smoothly. Finally, there's a new higher torque circle drive motor that improves performance when repositioning the blade under load.

Company/Model	HP (first gear)	Operating Weight (lbs.)	Moldboard Length (ft.)	Frame Type
Case 845	140	29,777	12	Artic
Case 865	155	32,077	13	Artic
Case 885	205	37,950	14	Artic
Caterpillar 120H	125	27,600	12	Artic
Caterpillar 16H	275	54,560	16	Artic
Caterpillar 24H	500	136,611	24	Artic
Caterpillar 12H	140	31,410	12	Artic
Caterpillar 135H	135	28,550	12	Artic
Caterpillar 143H	165	33,120	12	Artic
Caterpillar 163H	180	36,460	14	Artic
Caterpillar 14H Updated	220	41,465	14	Artic
Caterpillar 140H Updated	165	32,357	12	Artic
Caterpillar 160H Updated	180	34,560	14	Artic
John Deere 670CH-II	140	30,200	12	Artic
John Deere 670C-II	140	30,000	12	Artic
John Deere 672CH-II	145	31,820	12	Artic
John Deere 770C-II	155	31,000	12	Artic
John Deere 770CH-II	155	31,200	12	Artic
John Deere 772CH-II	170	32,820	12	Artic
Komatsu GD825A-2E	280	58,250	16	Artic
Komatsu GD750A-1	225	42,000	14	Artic
Komatsu GD670AW-2C	204	34,572	12	Artic
Komatsu GD555-3	140	30,525	12	Artic
Komatsu GD555-3 VHP	140	30,525	12	Artic
Komatsu GD655-3	165	32,630	12	Artic
Komatsu GD655-3 VHP	165	32,630	12	Artic
Komatsu GD675-3	180	34,390	14	Artic
Komatsu GD530A-2C	144	30,256	12	Artic
Komatsu GD530AW-2C	144	30,825	12	Artic
Komatsu GD650A-2C	166	32,795	12	Artic
Komatsu GD650AW-2C	166	33,095	12	Artic
Komatsu GD670A-2C	204	34,272	12	Artic
Komatsu GD675-3 VHP	180	34,390	14	Artic
Komatsu GD650A-2C VHP	166	32,795	12	Artic
New Holland RG200	208	37,950	14	Artic
New Holland RG170	170	32,077	14	Artic
New Holland RG140	140	29,840	12	Artic
New Holland RG80	76	15,500	10	Artic
New Holland RG100	101	16,786	12	Artic
Volvo G780	210	42,740	14	Artic
Volvo G780 VHP	210	42,740	14	Artic
Volvo G716 VHP	135	31,680	12	Artic
Volvo G726 VHP	170	33,550	12	Artic
Volvo G736 VHP	180	35,730	12	Artic
Volvo G730 VHP	180	34,750	12	Artic
Volvo G86	105	15,500	10	Artic
Volvo G60	80	12,800	10	Artic
Volvo G740 VHP	210	35,610	12	Artic
Volvo G80	80	15,000	10	Artic
Volvo G740	210	35,610	12	Artic
Volvo G710	140	30,630	12	Artic
Volvo G710 VHP	135	30,630	12	Artic
Volvo G720	160	32,570	12	Artic
Volvo G720 VHP	170	32,570	12	Artic
Volvo G730	195	34,750	12	Artic
Volvo G66	80	13,400	10	Artic

Caterpillar: Redesigned Operator's Station

Caterpillar's 14H motor grader now offers VHP, which provides an additional 20 percent horsepower in seventh and eighth gears. The operator's station is designed for straightforward, comfortable operation, with changes that optimize control effort and response, improve sight lines to the work area and enhance operator comfort. The electronic throttle control makes throttle operation easier and more precise. Electronic Clutch Pressure Control delivers optimized inching modulation and smooth, consistent shifting. The Electronic Monitoring System III keeps the operator informed and helps protect the machine from damage.

Number of models: 10. Recent changes: Significant changes to models 140H, 160H, 14H. Noteworthy features: Matched components are Cat designed and manufactured, broad range of extended blade positions, superior sight lines to the blade, grader-specific hydraulic controls.

Case: Sloping Rear Hood

New from Case, the 800 Series ranges from 140 to 205 horsepower and operating weights from 29,777 pounds to 37,950 pounds. The graders feature a one-piece, non-metallic sloping rear hood that provides top visibility from the cab. Filters and daily service points can easily be reached, thanks to the flip-up hood and flip-down panels along the bottom of the hood. The A-frame drawbar design provides strength and stability to the moldboard and circle. A single-drive-gear motor turns the circle up to 360 degrees for maximum turning ability, even under full load. The motor is mounted on the outside of the circle, lessening stress on the teeth of the circle and preventing debris or dirt from spilling onto the motor or into the drive-gear teeth. Moldboards come in 12-, 13- and 14-foot widths.

Number of models: 3. New models: 845, 865, 885. Noteworthy features: Flip-up hood and flip-down side panels, cab positioned for visibility, model 865 comes in variable horsepower configuration, hydraulically driven cooling fan, involute multi-radius moldboard design.

Volvo: Variable Horsepower

New B-Series motor graders from Volvo are powered by Volvo diesel engines that are Tier II compliant, fuel efficient, and provide high torque at low rpm. The engine is equipped with a variable horsepower system, ensuring that the correct power is applied to the drive wheels for every application. For fine grading, the engine and a large variable displacement hydraulic pump allow the operator to reduce first gear ground speed by operating at a lower rpm and retain full hydraulic control. The operator's compartment includes new features that enhance operator comfort, convenience and efficiency. The Contronic Monitor System monitors all machine functions and stores operational data for later downloading by service technicians.

Number of models: 11. New models: G700B B Series. Noteworthy features: Tier II compliant engine, Volvo 8400 transmission, improved hydraulics, fine grade control, operator comfort.

New Holland: Rollaway Moldboard

The New Holland RG Series motor graders consist of five models and range from 76 to 205 horsepower. All models feature New Holland's rollaway moldboard, which lowers the apex of the blade and keeps material from building up in front of the blade, reducing the amount of power and fuel needed to complete the job. Moldboard widths run from 12 to 14 feet and are built using heavy-duty box section construction. The front axles are heavy-duty, truss-types for durability and long life. The front axle also has 18 degrees of oscillation up and down to follow the contour of the surface and a left and right wheel lean of 18 degrees, which counteracts blade side draft and improves the turning radius.

Number of models: 6. Recent changes: All-wheel drive versions of RG170, RG170VHP, RG200. Noteworthy features: Rollaway moldboard, heavy-duty truss-type front axles, Super Max-Trac differential, slanted rear hood, replaceable cutting edges and bits.

Komatsu: Dual-Mode Transmission

Ranging from 140 to 200 horsepower, Komatsu's new Laterra motor grader line features a dual-mode transmission that allows the operator to move from torque converter to direct drive mode by a simple flip of a switch. The torque converter mode gives the operator excellent slow speed control and power. In higher speed ranges, the transmission automatically shifts between gears. The bald geometry allows a true 90-degree bankslope position, making for easy blade maneuvering, all the while providing exceptional reach and ground clearance. An ergonomically designed cab offers good visibility of the blade, front tire, tandem tires and rear ripper through both the front and rear windshields.

Number of models: 8. New models: GD555-3, GD655-3, GD675-3. Noteworthy features: Dual mode drive train, excavator-like hydraulics, all-hydraulic wet disc brakes, visibility.

John Deere: Enhanced Reliability

Improvements to the John Deere C-Series II motor graders provide more reliability and durability, including enhancements to the power train to provide longer life, and a new front axle that offers a tighter turning radius and reduced tire wear. Also improved is the fan drive system, which has an easy-to-service, 14-rib poly-vee fan belt. A lube-for-life driveshaft results in significantly lengthened service intervals. The 772CH, shown here, has an enhanced Hydrostatic Front Wheel Drive design that provides more precise control. It uses a dual path hydrostatic system and speed sensing control to provide power to each front wheel independently as needed. The system also offers a selectable inching mode that enables refined inching capability with traction-boosting all-wheel drive down to a virtual standstill.

Number of models: 6. Recent changes: Improvements to Series II models. Noteworthy features: Drawbar pull, six-wheel drive, maneuverability, 25-degree articulation, serviceability.

Websites

• Case - www.casece.com

• Caterpillar - www.cat.com

• John Deere - www.johndeere.com

• Komatsu - www.komatsuamerica.com

• New Holland - www.newhollandconstruction.com

• Volvo - www.volvoce.com