Ranking of the best motor graders for 2022

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, leveling subgrade slopes and for moving soil on large road construction projects.

Automatic graders have come a long way since their introduction to the American market in 1919. Over the past 100 years, leading manufacturers have constantly 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 all about, as well as consider popular models from the best manufacturers.

How to choose

Choosing the right motor grader for road construction depends on a variety of 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 amounts 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 - they all 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 to choose the most expensive and productive machine, without taking into account 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 also the oldest and most famous grader brand, having actually been around since 1903, when American engineers Richard Russell and Charles Stockland started building their first graders (with early models often paired with Caterpillar tractors). In 1928, Caterpillar acquired the Russell Grader Manufacturing Company and became the market leader. Since then, the company has worked its way to the very top of the international market, and has maintained that position to this day, through the introduction of state-of-the-art 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 by far the most technically advanced. The range includes more than a dozen models of graders with power from 92 to 367 kW. Caterpillar units are equipped with a patented direct drive transmission with automatic over-load shifting. Another feature of the models from Caterpillar is a specially designed wheel alignment system, thanks to which they do not slip in low gears.

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

Best Deal - Caterpillar 140 and 140M3

Photo 2: motor grader 140M3

When it comes to universal automatic graders for road construction from Caterpillar, it is best to pay attention to the novelties that are located at the top of the rating of quality graders: 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 140M has an operating weight of 19.1 tons and an engine power of 250 horsepower. While the 140M3 has a weight of 20 tons and an engine with a capacity of 252 horsepower.

Caterpillar is seeing 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 by improving seat comfort, line of sight, heating and air conditioning, and control systems. The operator cabin can be equipped with radio, Bluetooth, phone charger and other gadgets. All this is designed to facilitate the work of the operator as much as possible and create comfortable working conditions for him.

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

• Devices of this type have engines with a power of 129 and 387 kW, good ergonomics and control.
• Cross Slope system gives you more precision and control above the grader and enables operators to grade faster. It allows you to control the cross slope of the surface.
• Models in this series are able to detect blade rebound and stabilize quickly.
• Comfortable controls provide better performance and help reduce operator fatigue.
• Advanced joystick control gives you complete control over your grader. Shifting, pivoting, blade adjustment, hydraulic control and more are all done from a single interface.

• There are no significant ones.

John Deere Graders

Photo 3: motor grader John Deer Grader 772GP

Although the American John Deere brand 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 more than 15 different models of motor graders, including 620G, 622G, 670G, 672G and 770G - these are the best and most popular models of this line. Many of them are used in the maintenance of dirt roads and on Russian construction sites.

John Deere Grader 772GP

The 20 ton Deere 772GP motor grader not only has a huge 275 horsepower and torque to move large amounts of earth, but also high precision when paving. This model has high-quality automation with the function of automatic slope and automatic articulation, which makes it easier for less experienced operators, and allows more experienced operators to focus more on work and efficiency.

A few key features of the G series:

• Thanks to the Grade Pro system, the operator can independently choose the method of control. Use the steering joystick or the steering wheel itself if you prefer.
• Automatic blade control (e.g. cross slope, slope control and return to straight) greatly improves productivity and saves time.
• John Deere motor graders have the smoothest shifting transmission 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 construction equipment manufacturer in the world. The first graders from Komatsu appeared in the early 1950s along with hydraulic excavators and dump trucks. Their popularity quickly increased as the graders, which arrived in Argentina in 1955, became Komatsu's first construction products for export.

Komatsu-GD655-7

Komatsu's latest motor grader, the GD655-7, weighs 17.3 tons and features a hexagonal cab for increased visibility. The cab view area has a narrower center section and then two large transparent doors on the sides through which the operator can see fixed objects to get around, such as plinths or curbs.

Komatsu has also added an electronic control to the device, which is located at the rear in a more comfortable position for the operator. The company also split the 10-section hydraulic control valves into two five-valve sections for even better visibility. The machine control kit for the GD655-7 also includes the new Topcon GX55 mid-range monitor.

Key features of the Komatsu GD series:

• The transmission provides on-the-fly shifting under heavy load, as well as precise steering and auto-shifting at higher speed ranges.
• An advanced hydraulic system ensures 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 founded in 1875. Today, Volvo offers the widest range of motor graders, powered by a powerful engine from Volvo, for maximum productivity, ease of use and operator comfort.

Volvo Construction G-900

Photo 5: VOLVO G-946c motor grader

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

Photo 6: VOLVO G-976 motor grader

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

Key advantages of machines from Volvo:

• Models are highly durable and designed for long-term operation.
• The key components of the all-wheel drive system of Volvo graders are 2 variable displacement axial piston pumps that drive the wheel motors.
• You can independently adjust the performance of the pumps by selecting the appropriate operating modes. Thanks to this, the user can precisely distribute power to the wheels.
• The system does not require a valve - flow divider, it automatically distributes energy from pumps to motors, with virtually no power loss.
• Amateur operators of classical control can choose a lever model, advanced users can use a joystick.
• Volvo's patented Contronics hardware mechanism monitoring system stores all data on the operation of each individual model mechanism. In case of problems, this will allow you to quickly determine what the essence of the problem is.

• There are no significant ones.

Chinese brands

Chinese products for 2022 are not much inferior in quality to major global brands. Many manufacturers adopt cutting-edge technology as quickly as top corporations, but the average price of a final product from the Middle Kingdom can be significantly lower than that of Volvo or Komatsu. Do not be surprised that more than half of the imported graders in Russia are made by Chinese brands.Most of them are represented by the XCMG brand, a well-known manufacturer from Xuzhou, which is the undisputed leader in the motor grader market both in Russia and in China itself, although its products are still inferior to the world's top companies.

XCMG

Photo 7: XCMG GR-135 motor grader

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

Photo 8: XCMG GR-215A motor grader

There are other Chinese manufacturers producing inexpensive and high-quality self-propelled vehicles. Of the well-known 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 special equipment markets in which the best manufacturers from Russia successfully compete with foreign ones. Although in terms of volume and functionality of products, Russian companies do not reach such giants as Caterpillar or Komatsu, they still have something to offer the consumer. Here we can single out the company RM-Terex, which unites several machine-building enterprises, such as the Bryansk Arsenal or ChSDM.Thanks to cooperation with Terex Corporation - an international company for the production of industrial equipment, RM-Terex successfully enters the global market.

The most famous series of the company - GS, includes seven models. Budget cars 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 the Russian consumer and being of high quality (according to buyers) until now.

The more advanced TG series includes the development of partners from Terex Corporation. The machines of this line are crammed 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 17900 kilograms, power 200 hp, blade width 4.2 meters)
• TG-200 (weight 18700 kilograms, power 250 hp, blade width 4.2 meters)
• TG-250 (weight 22800 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 balancing bogie with limited slip differential with slip protection.

DM-14 is an automatic grader of the middle class, which is produced by the Rybinsk plant of Road Machines. Although the main direction of the enterprise is the production of road rollers and loaders, motor graders for profiling areas and for leveling surfaces of the DM-14 line can boast of a simple and high-quality design at a surprisingly loyal price.

Rice. 10: motor grader Terex DM-14

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 unequivocally which graders of which company are better. This review presents only superficial tips and recommendations, without taking into account how much each model costs, what technical parameters and what to look for when choosing. The specific cost will depend on the required parameters of the equipment.