Compact motor graders, road graders, or maintainers, whatever you call them, are essential equipment at any construction site. It is a versatile and powerful, heavy-duty machine with a long blade that helps with many construction tasks. In comparison with conventional motor graders, compact motor graders are much smaller and more maneuverable, making them a perfect choice for use in tight spaces.
In addition to their compact structure, these heavy machines are light on the purse. Hence, they are an ideal choice for all businesses with a limited budget. However, purchasing a compact motor grader that suits your needs perfectly requires an in-depth understanding of motor graders. Though it is impossible to gain much knowledge about them in a few minutes, this ultimate guide to buying a compact motor grader can help you make an informed decision.
Keep reading this blog, as it will help you learn more about compact motor graders and what they do and provide you with some of the most helpful tips for buying them.
1. Compact Motor Grader and Its Uses
A compact motor grader is one of the most essential pieces of construction equipment used to grade and level surfaces. It comes with a long blade that can be lowered and heightened as needed to create a smooth, even surface. Most commonly, compact motor graders are used in construction, agriculture, and landscaping.
Buyers looking for a maneuverable, versatile, and affordable heavy-duty machine that makes landscaping, agriculture, and construction work easy can invest in a compact motor grader. Here is the list of tasks that motor graders can proficiently accomplish:
- Creating Ditches: Compact motor graders can expertly build ditches required for drainage and irrigation.
- Grading Roads: Building an even and smooth surface for traffic is possible with a compact motor grader.
- Snow Removal: Removing snow from sideways and the road could be difficult without a motor grader.
- Surface Levelling: Levelling surfaces of construction sites and agricultural land is a work compact motor grader holds excellence in.
Apart from these, a compact motor grader can create building foundations, parking lots, and cleared land. The list of tasks this heavy-duty machinery makes easy is long!
2. Factors to Consider While Buying a Compact Motor Grader
Now you understand how much work a compact motor grader can make easy. It’s time to determine which motor grader will suit your needs the best. In order to select the best compact motor grader, you have to test drive many of the most popular graders, and only after that can you make an informed decision.
Bear in mind that impulsive decisions or commitments made under the influence of a salesperson with hard selling tactics are always regretted. Do your homework and choose machinery that suits your needs. Here are a few things that you must consider before making a decision regarding the purchase:
- Power: You can find compact motor graders with different power ratings. It is imperative to select a grader with enough horsepower to handle all the tasks that you intend to do with it. For instance, if you plan to do heavy and complex tasks with the grader, it would be best if you chose a grader with a higher power rating.
- Size: The size of the grader can also influence your decision since compact motor graders come in a variety of sizes for working in different settings. If your machinery is intended to be used in tight spaces, it’s better to go with a smaller size. Select a large grader if there is no restriction on spaces on the work site.
- Features: With each passing day, more and more features are added to machinery to enhance its performance and working abilities. It is essential to purchase a compact motor grader with the features you actually need instead of the offered features. The most common features graders boast include blade angle adjustment, 360-degree visibility, and automatic grade control.
- Price: One of the most crucial factors that compact motor grader buyers need to consider is its price. The price of a grader ranges from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands. Invest in a compact motor grader that is within your budget. Stretching the budget for unnecessary features is never recommended for any sort of item.
- Hydraulics: You must check the hydraulic system of the compact motor grader before buying it. The hydraulics of a compact motor grader determine its strength and responsiveness. Consider investing in a machine with hydraulics strong enough to accomplish all the tasks in the required time without any hassle.
- Attachments: A business or individual should buy a compact motor grader that is versatile enough to support most of the attachments. The first thumb rule is to plan the attachments you intend to work with and determine their suitability to ensure you choose the perfect motor grader for your project.
3. More Tips to Buy the Right Compact Motor Grader
In addition to all the above factors, while buying a motor grader, this list of tips will also come in handy in making the right and informed decision. Go through the list to know what secret tips it has for you!
Do Your Homework
Checking the price, power, size, and features can help you determine what each has to offer to you, but don’t forget that these are all offered features and you can’t figure out the reliability by just looking at them. You must spend a handsome amount of time digging deep into the reviews of each compact grader shortlisted to learn about the experiences of other buyers. We avoid buying small things without checking their ratings, so how are you supposed to buy such big machinery without research? Most reviews of the grader must be positive, and the ratings should be high.
Test Drive Different Models
Just like we test drive different cars before booking one, it is essential to test various models of the compact motor grader to determine which is perfect for your next project. You can note down the positives and negatives of each grader you test drive and then compare them to select the best compact motor grader.
Purchase from a Reputed Dealer
You should buy a compact motor grader from a dealership that has a good image in the market and builds top-notch quality graders for customers. To determine the best dealership, you can either check their reviews or connect with the people owning graders to discuss the quality of after-sales service they get from a particular dealer or manufacturer. Some of the most reliable and reputed dealerships are Caterpillar, Komatsu, Case, and John Deere.
4. Some Popular Compact Motor Graders
Now you have all the basic information about how you can choose the best compact motor grader for your next project. However, if you are still confused about which one would be a perfect choice or which are the most commonly used graders, nothing is worth worrying about. Here are the most commonly used compact motor graders:
- Komatsu GD555: Well-known for its fuel efficiency and ease of operation, Komatsu GD555 is one of the most commonly used Compact Motor Graders equipped with several useful features, including a powerful engine, smoother operations, operator-friendly cab, and easy serviceability.
- John Deere 620G: Another popular compact motor grader is the John Deere 620G, which offers exceptional performance, is built with the latest technology, and is easy to maintain and service. It is designed with customers in mind and, thus, can be seen on most construction sites.
- Case 845B: If you are looking for a perfect compact motor grader for quarrying and infrastructure development, Case 845B could be your final destination. Its stronger throttle response, cold-start capability, and excellent visibility make it stand out from the crowd.
See the table for more information regarding the popular motor graders:
| Motor Grader Model | Engine | kW | Turning Radius | Operating Weight | Price (Approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Komatsu GD555 | 6.69 ltr | 146 | 7.3 m | 15135 | $37,816.28 |
| John Deere 620G | 6.8 ltr | 160 | 7.21 m | 18325 | $460,000 |
| Case 845B | 6.7 ltr | 129 | 7250 mm | 14605 | $359,254.66 |
| Volvo G740E | - | 157 | 7,798 mm | 35610 | $105,885.58 |
| Caterpillar 252D | 4.4 ltr | 128 | - | 16100 | $62,145.03 |