Grader, also known as road grader or motor grader, is a heavy civil engineering equipment used mostly for creating flat surfaces during grading works. It’s one piece of the essential equipment in earthworks, allowing for the surface leveling with extremely high precision.
Starting from horse towed blades to self-propelled, the grader evolved with the introduction of new technologies that international brands are competing to improve. The typical design is simple: 3 axles, front steering wheels, a large blade, a cab and an engine in the rear driving the tandem. The main criteria to distinguish them is the size of the blade, manufacturers and prices. So, if you are a contractor wondering what brands of motor grader to purchase, the following comparison will definitely help you.
1. Caterpillar
Caterpillar graders are among the top selling section of the American monster. Relying on decades of experience in road graders manufacturing, CAT has developed its models to meet the 21st century requirements with modern cabs, better hydraulics and larger blades. Sizes go from 12 to 24 ft large.
- Founded: 1925
- Headquarters: Deerfield, Illinois, U.S.
- Employees: 97,300
- Products: Bulldozer, Excavator, Wheel Loader, Motor Graders, Diesel Engine, Compactor, etc.
2. John Deere
Another strong American company in the market of motor graders, John Deere is among the best equipment suppliers in the world. Developing graders since 1968, the manufacturer now relies on its industry-first smart blade technology allowing the machine to keep balance no matter what the angle of the blade is.
- Founded: 1837 by John Deere
- Headquarters: Moline, Illinois, U.S.
- Employees: 69,600
- Products: Agricultural machinery and heavy equipment
- Grader series: 620G/GP, 622G/GP, 720G/GP, 722G/GP, 820G/GP, 822G/GP
3. Komatsu
Komatsu Ltd is a multinational Japanese corporation famous for making construction, industrial and military equipment. The first motor graders were built back in 1952, ever since Komatsu kept improving this machine until reaching the actual level. The actual models come with 14 ft blades offering.
- Founded: 1921
- Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
- Employees: 59,632
- Products: Construction, Mining and industrial equipment, military vehicles, etc.
4. Volvo
The Swedish manufacturer is among the international leaders in the business of heavy equipment. Even though they only started building road graders in 2001, their reputation and experience allowed it to compete with the other brands relying on their extreme engines and offering quality and operator comfort. The engines rating is between 145 kW (195 hp) and 198 kW (265 hp).
- Founded: 1832
- Headquarters: Gothenburg, Sweden
- Employees: 13,397
- Products: Compacters, dumpers, excavators, haulers, backhoe loaders, motor graders, waste handlers, etc.
5. Case
One of the oldest machinery builders in the world, since 1842, Case has made an international reputation making agricultural and construction equipment. The latest addition of this manufacturer’s motor grader is the C series perfectly designed for small-to-mid-size grading operations.
- Founded: 1842
- Headquarters: Turin, Italy
- Products: Compactors, excavators, haulers, wheel loaders, motor graders, etc.