Rating of the best motor graders for 2024

Motor graders are trailed or self-propelled vehicles that are used throughout Russia in a wide variety of civil infrastructure projects. They come in a variety of sizes and specifications and are used in construction, maintenance and earthmoving applications. They are designed for grading ditch walls, grading slopes and moving soil on large road construction projects.

Automatic graders have come a long way since their introduction on the American market in 1919. Over the past 100 years, leading manufacturers have continually improved and improved their machines, and today we have a huge variety of brands and models of automatic graders.

In this article, we will tell you what types of graders are, what they are for and what they are, and also consider popular models from the best manufacturers.

How to choose

Choosing the right motor grader for your road construction depends on many factors, depending on your selection criteria. In general, it really comes down to the amount of work, the material of the soil, the cost of the product. Therefore, for each buyer, different characteristics are important, which depend on the region and the nature of the work.

But when it comes to transporting large quantities of material for major road work, power and torque are at the forefront. And here you should turn to leading international manufacturers such as Caterpillar, John Deere, Komatsu, Volvo, or domestic RM-Terex and Bryansk Arsenal OJSC - all of them produce powerful and productive machines that are suitable for different categories of consumers.

It is recommended to look at customer reviews and recommendations, and not judge by the popularity of models. A common mistake when choosing a grader is choosing the most expensive and productive machine, without considering the characteristics.

Caterpillar

Photo 1: Cat 140M Motor Grader

Caterpillar (known as Cat) is one of the international leaders in construction machinery and equipment. It is the oldest and most famous grader brand, dating back to 1903, when American engineers Richard Russell and Charles Stockland began producing their first graders (with early models often mated to Caterpillar tractors). In 1928, Caterpillar acquired the Russell Grader Manufacturing Company and became the market leader. Since then, the company has made its way to the very top of the international market, and has held that place to this day, through the introduction of modern electronics and hydraulics, as well as optimal performance.

In Russia, this brand is represented mainly by products of two series: R and H, however, it is the M-series that is the most technically advanced today. There are more than a dozen models of graders in the range from 92 to 367 kW. Caterpillar units feature a patented direct drive transmission with automatic overload shifting. Another feature of the Caterpillar models is the specially designed wheel alignment system, thanks to which they do not slip in low gears.

Which one is better to buy: Russian-made M-series devices include the following models: 140M, 12M, 14M, 16M and 18M.

Best Offer - Caterpillar 140 and 140M3

Photo 2: motor grader 140M3

When it comes to Caterpillar's all-in-one automatic road graders, it is best to pay attention to the new items at the top of the quality grader rating: 140 or 140M3. One of the main differences between the two models is their control methods: the 140M has a steering wheel and control levers, while the 140M3 has joysticks. They also have quality technical solutions to improve productivity.

Description: The operating weight of the 140M is 19.1 tons and the engine power is 250 horsepower. While the 140M3 has a weight of 20 tons and a 252 horsepower engine.

Caterpillar recognizes growing customer interest in automatic grade control systems. Therefore, the joystick-controlled 140M3 includes auto-articulation.

In recent years, Caterpillar has focused on reducing operator fatigue through improved seat comfort, line of sight, heating and air conditioning, and control systems. The operator's booth can be equipped with radio, Bluetooth, phone charger and other gadgets. All this is designed to facilitate the operator's work as much as possible and create comfortable working conditions for him.

So why should you look at Cat graders? Here are a few key features of their latest M Series:

• Apparatuses of this type have engines with a power of 129 and 387 kW, good ergonomics and control.
• Cross Slope gives you more precision and control above the grader and enables operators to grade faster. It allows you to control the lateral slope of the surface.
• Models in this series are capable of detecting blade rebound and stabilizing quickly.
• Convenient controls provide better productivity and help reduce operator fatigue.
• Advanced Joystick Control gives you complete control over your grader. Switching, turning, blade adjustment, hydraulic control and much more are all done from one interface.

• There are no significant ones.

John Deere Graders

Photo 3: motor grader John Deere Grader772GP

Although the American brand John Deere dominates the agricultural market, they are also highly valued in the construction equipment market. John Deere launched its first graders in 1967 with the famous JD-570, the world's first articulated grader. Since then, the company has been actively developing and introducing innovations into production. Currently, the manufacturer offers over 15 different models of motor graders, including 620G, 622G, 670G, 672G and 770G - these are the best and most popular models in this line. Many of them are used in the maintenance of dirt roads and on Russian construction sites.

John Deere Grader 772GP

The Deere 772GP 20 Ton Motor Grader not only has a massive 275 horsepower and torque to move large amounts of land, but also great precision when paving. This model has quality automation with auto tilt and auto articulation, making it easier for less experienced operators and more experienced operators to focus more on work and efficiency.

Several key features of the G series:

• Thanks to the Grade Pro system, the operator can independently choose the control method. Use the steering joystick or the steering wheel directly if you prefer.
• Automatic blade controls (such as cross slope, slope control and return to straight) significantly increase productivity and reduce time.
• John Deere motor graders have the smoothest shifting transmissions on the market today. Thanks to this, operators practically do not get tired at work, which also significantly increases productivity.

• There are no significant ones.

Komatsu

Photo 4: Komatsu motor grader GD655-7

Komatsu is a Japanese multinational corporation and the second largest manufacturer of construction equipment in the world. The first Komatsu graders appeared in the early 1950s along with hydraulic excavators and dump trucks. Their popularity quickly grew as the graders, which arrived in Argentina in 1955, became Komatsu's first construction products to be exported.

Komatsu - GD655-7

Komatsu's latest motor grader, the GD655-7, weighs 17.3 tonnes and features a hexagonal cab for increased visibility. The cab's field of view has a narrower center section and then two large transparent doors on the sides through which the operator can see stationary objects to bypass them, such as pedestals or curbs.

Komatsu has also added electronic controls to the device, which is located at the rear in a more comfortable position for the operator. The company has also divided the 10-section hydraulic control valves into two five-valve sections to further improve visibility. The Machine Control Kit for the GD655-7 also includes the new Topcon GX55 Medium Monitor.

Key features of the Komatsu GD series:

• The transmission provides high-load, on-the-fly shifting, as well as precise steering and auto-shifting at higher speed ranges.
• Improved hydraulic system provides reduced pressure loss.
• Ground level refueling provides faster refueling.
• Low noise level for more comfortable use.

• There are no significant ones.

Volvo

Volvo was one of the last to enter the grader market. The first motor grader produced by this company dates back to 2001. However, Volvo has a rich history in the construction equipment industry and in 1997 acquired Champion, one of the oldest construction equipment companies, formed in 1875. Today Volvo offers the widest range of motor graders powered by a powerful Volvo engine for maximum productivity, ease of use and operator comfort.

Volvo Construction G-900

Photo 5: VOLVO G-946c motor grader

The automatic graders of the Volvo Construction G-900 family are very popular in the Russian market. It includes four machines with a D7 engine and three machines with a D9 engine. These devices are distinguished by the highest performance, excellent ergonomics and flexible control system. Specifically, the G range includes tandem drive models: G-930, G-940, G-960, G-970, G-990 and heavy all-wheel drive G-946 and G-976. The above devices meet all current European emission and noise emission standards. The D-7 and D-9 engines used in this line are extremely economical and low in emissions (this parameter complies with the European Stage III standard).

Photo 6: VOLVO G-976 motor grader

The G900 family uses state-of-the-art intelligent engine power management technology. This directly affects the performance of the device and increases the efficiency indicator at times. There are various types of transmission from Volvo, in particular, there are eight and eleven-speed transmissions

Key advantages of Volvo machines:

• The models have high durability and are designed for long-term operation.
• The key components of the all-wheel drive system in Volvo graders are 2 variable displacement axial piston pumps that drive the wheel motors.
• You can independently adjust the performance of the pumps by choosing the appropriate operating modes. Thanks to this, the user can pinpoint the power to the wheels.
• The system does not require a flow divider valve; it automatically distributes energy from pumps to motors, with virtually no power loss.
• Operators who like classic control can choose the lever model, advanced users can use the joystick.
• Volvo's patented Contronics hardware control system stores all the data on the operation of each individual mechanism in the model. If a problem occurs, this will allow you to quickly determine what the essence of the problem is.

• There are no significant ones.

Chinese brands

Chinese products for 2024 are not much inferior in quality to major global brands. Many manufacturers are adopting advanced technologies as quickly as top corporations, but the average price of the final product from the Middle Kingdom can be significantly lower than Volvo or Komatsu. It should come as no surprise that more than half of imported graders in Russia are produced by Chinese brands. Most of them are represented by the XCMG brand - a well-known manufacturer from Xuzhou, which in Russia and in China itself is the undisputed leader in the motor grader market, although its products are still inferior to the world's top companies.

XCMG

Photo 7: XCMG GR-135 motor grader

Lightweight motor grader GR-135, middle class models GR-165, GR-180 and GR-215 with hydromechanical transmission are equipped with KHP Cummins engines, Xuzhou Meritor axles (Chinese-American) and Chinese gearboxes. This product has a relatively simple, not crammed with electronics, lever-operated design. There is also an all-wheel drive machine for earthwork tasks - the GR-215A model, which has gained some popularity in post-Soviet countries (largely because it is sold at a price 2 times lower in comparison with top-end motor graders), but not without its drawbacks.

Photo 8: XCMG GR-215A motor grader

There are other Chinese manufacturers that produce inexpensive and high-quality self-propelled vehicles. Of the famous in the CIS, Liugong and Tiangong can be distinguished. They are regularly used on Russian construction sites for final site planning.

Russian manufacturers

The grader market is one of the few markets for special equipment, in which the best manufacturers from Russia successfully compete with foreign ones. Although in terms of the volume and functionality of products, Russian companies do not match such giants as Caterpillar or Komatsu, they still have something to offer the consumer. Here we can highlight the company RM-Terex, which unites several machine-building enterprises, such as Bryansk Arsenal or ChSDM. Thanks to cooperation with Terex Corporation - an international company for the production of industrial equipment, RM-Terex successfully enters the world market.

The most famous series of the company - GS, includes seven models. Budget ones are equipped with a mechanical transmission - for example, the D3-98 model has a cardan drive of the front axle. However, this does not prevent it from being popular with Russian consumers and being of high quality (in the opinion of buyers).

The more advanced TG series includes developments from partners from the Terex Corporation. The machines of this line are stuffed with electronics and have better components. It includes the following models (power classification):

• TG-140 (weight 15100 kilograms, power 170 horsepower, blade width 3.6 meters)
• TG-180 (weight 17,900 kilograms, power 200 hp, blade width 4.2 meters)
• TG-200 (weight 18,700 kilograms, power 250 hp, blade width 4.2 meters)
• TG-250 (weight 22,800 kilograms, power 250 hp, blade width 4.8 meters).

Photo 9: Terex TG-140 Motor Grader

All products have Cummins or Deutz engines, hydromechanical. transmission with automated ZF gearbox, NAF balance bogie with anti-slip limited slip differential.

DM-14 is an automatic grader of the middle class, which is produced by the Rybinsk plant "Road machines". Although the main focus of the company is the production of road rollers and loaders, the grading and leveling motor graders of the DM-14 range boast a simple and high-quality design at a surprisingly loyal price.

Figure: 10: Terex DM-14 motor grader

The motor grader is equipped with an anti-slip system, hydromechanical transmission and an articulated frame. The anti-vibration protection of the cab is well developed. The principle of operation of the grader does not differ from those already given.The machine uses a YaMZ-236M2 or Cummins 6VTA5.9 engine and has accessories for slopes.

Conclusion

It is impossible to say for sure which company graders are better. This review provides only superficial advice and recommendations, without considering how much each model costs, what technical parameters and what to look for when choosing. The specific cost will depend on the required technical parameters.