The motor grader is a vital link in the road construction chain. Without it, level, smooth, wrinkle-free tarmac might not even exist. In the world of construction equipment, it is somewhat of an oddity. It straddles the space between the power of the big earthmoving machines, such as the dozers and excavators, and the versatility of smaller kit like the backhoes and skid-steers.
The grader’s calling card is precision. Of all the various categories, segments and models of construction machinery, there are few others that are made for one purpose only like the grader. And that purpose is to prepare a perfectly level surface, down to the last degree – the foundation of every well-made road.
To make this possible, the grader is a unique combination of the brute force of its bigger earthmoving cousins and the delicate control, relatively speaking, of its smaller compact kin. Completing the package is advanced technology, with telematics and electronic machine control technology that assist operators to hit the grade stipulated in the civil engineering design with uncanny accuracy. After all, the safety of thousands, if not millions, of people using a road in its entire lifetime depend on its gradients and cambers.
With these machines being specialist ones, not many manufacturers have them in their line-ups. But of those that do in the Middle East, CASE Construction Equipment is a name that readily comes to mind. One of the most popular equipment brands in the market, CASE’s machines are a common sight in our region. The CNH Industrial company’s motor graders also benefit from its brand recognition and reputation for quality, and are integral on various road projects that dot the region.
Describing the grader range available with CASE, Zane Barnard, Product Specialist at CNH Industrial, says: “We have three graders in our Middle East offering: The 845B is our smallest, weighing in at 15 tonnes and carrying a 12-feet mouldboard. The second is our 865B, a 16-tonne machine capable of carrying a 13- and 14-feet mouldboard; and our largest grader is the 885B, an 18-tonne machine carrying a 14-feet mouldboard. Our graders are primarily used in road building, spreading of material, level grading and final cuts.”
Across the full range of CASE graders, there are some unique features that each directly focus on adding value to customers, Barnard adds.
Unique features in CASE motor graders
“Our graders are fitted with our patented involute blade or mouldboard, meaning our blade has three radius angles. Each angle is set to get the material in front of the blade rolling. Think of it like a wave – once the material is rolling, it needs less pushing power to keep it rolling and so we can now reduce the engine power and reduce fuel consumption. This is part of our ‘work smarter, not harder’ outlook, which saves the customer time and money,” he describes.
“Our transmission is a fully automatic Powershift transmission with an anti-stall function. This allows the operator to set the travel speed practically to a creep speed without the engine stalling, even when under full load. The anti-stall function helps the operator to continuously keep moving forward at low speed and gives the operator time to make blade corrections without worrying about how much load is on the engine and if the grader is going to stall,” Barnard elaborates.
He further explains that the circle drive on CASE graders is “quite unique”, with external circle teeth that face outwards.
“This design means that the circle drive pinion on CASE graders is also mounted facing outward, which in turn means that when there is a high blade impact, the impact force actually moves the blade circle away from the circle pinion, so there is no way the impact can damage and break the circle drive pinion.
“The whole design concept behind CASE graders is to put less stress on the machine, save time with faster operation and be more productive with less fuel,” says Barnard.
The flagship model of the CASE grader line-up is the 885B, and Barnard points out that this grader “packs quite a punch and comes very well equipped”.
“It is fitted with our legendary 6.7-litre FPT engine, which delivers 234hp of power with outstanding fuel consumption figures and boasts VHP (Variable Horse power) control. VHP adjusts the horsepower according to the application and the load that the machine is pulling. So if you’re working in the first, second or third gears, where you need a lot of torque output, the engine will actually drop the horsepower and increase the torque.
“Conversely, if you want to travel faster, then the horsepower will increase and the torque will drop. It’s not just a normal common rail engine; we have different horsepower curves mapped on to the controller and we can use that at any stage when the machine is in different applications,” explains Barnard, adding that the 885B is a tried and tested machine that has already gathered a reputation for toughness and robustness in the market.
Komatsu’s strong foothold in the grader segment
Another brand with a great reputation in the region is Japanese giant Komatsu, whose graders have gained a strong foothold in the Middle East, particularly in the UAE, where its dealer Galadari has played a pivotal role in enhancing the market performance of Komatsu graders by offering extensive customer support, including extended warranty periods and tailored service packages.
Mohammad Jasser, Heavy Line Account Manager at the Heavy Equipment Division of Galadari, says that Komatsu offers a range of motor graders tailored to meet the diverse needs of the construction industry.
“The Komatsu GD705-5 and GD755-5R are the most prominent models available, both featuring a cutting blade width of 14 feet, a size that strikes a balance between performance, fuel efficiency and operational cost, making it a preferred choice for both public and private sector projects,” details Jasser.
“These models are designed to excel in a variety of grading applications, from fine grading of soft materials to heavy-duty operations. The GD755-5R, for example, boasts a powerful 286HP engine and an operating weight of 24.3 tonnes, making it ideal for large infrastructure projects,” he describes.
“The GD705-5 is noted for its long wheelbase and large articulation angle, which provide superior control during slope cutting and high-quality levelling. This model also features Komatsu’s reliable power train, complete with a torque converter drive and automatic transmission with selectable work modes, enabling operators to achieve optimal performance across various tasks.”
The width of the blade is critical for determining the grader’s productivity, Jasser adds, as it influences the volume of material that can be handled in a single pass.
“Komatsu graders, particularly the GD705-5 and GD755-5R, come with a standard 14-feet blade width, which is highly demanded in the UAE market. This size provides a balance between efficiency and manoeuvrability, allowing the graders to be versatile across different terrains and project sizes. The blade width also scales with the machine’s operating weight, which enhances overall productivity for heavier-duty applications.”
According to Jasser, Komatsu graders stand out due to their integration of cutting-edge technology, such as the KOMTRAX wireless monitoring system, which enables real-time data tracking, allowing operators and fleet managers to monitor the machine’s performance, fuel efficiency, and maintenance needs remotely. The lock-up torque converter ensures that the machine doesn’t stall during heavy operations, thereby reducing downtime and enhancing productivity.
“Komatsu motor graders have been instrumental in several high-profile projects throughout the UAE, particularly in Abu Dhabi. These include major urban developments such as the North Bani Yas and Al Samha projects, where Komatsu graders were extensively utilised by leading contractors.
“Komatsu graders are also frequently deployed in various road construction projects in collaboration with municipal authorities, demonstrating their reliability and effectiveness in urban settings,” Jasser says.
Cat grader models for all applications
Meanwhile at Caterpillar, the comprehensive range of Cat motor graders includes the 140GC, and the latest 14, 16, 18 and 24 models, which differ in size, power and blade width, making them suitable for all type of applications.
Talking about the latest Cat grader in the region, Samer Ismail, Product Manager – Earthmoving and Excavation, at Mohamed Abdulrahman Al-Bahar, the authorised Cat dealer for the GCC countries except Saudi Arabia, says that it is the MG14.
“It comes with a larger engine, improved fuel economy and machine balance, enhanced transmission performance, easy-to-operate controls, a range of technologies, and a durable blade design. Its popularity stems from its ability to handle a wide range of tasks efficiently and effectively and the machine is ready to excel at your grading projects. It is also currently included in Al-Bahar’s ongoing promotion ‘Work More. Save big on Fuel’,” Ismail says.
Cat grader models have blade widths from 3.7m to 7.3m and Ismail says that while the former is popular for urban applications, the latter is often preferred for highway construction.
“Cat graders have the highest market share in the Middle East and a strong reputation for their reliability, durability and efficiency. They are widely used in infrastructure projects, road construction, airport and railway construction and urban development initiatives. Customers and operators consistently praise their performance, fuel efficiency and ease of operation. Cat is the number one preferred brand across the region.”
Describing standout features of Cat graders, Ismail adds: “Cat graders stand out with features like the Auto Grade system for precise grading and the Electronic Blade Control (EBC) system for enhanced operator control. Additionally, Cat’s robust build quality and extensive technological support provide added value.”
SDLG carves a niche in grader market
Over at Volvo-owned Chinese heavyweight SDLG, the grader is an integral part of its line-up in the region. Represented by a big regional partner in the form of FAMCO, SDLG’s grader range covers a wide range, from light-duty uses to heavy-duty projects, contributing significantly to many available applications in the market – from general construction and road building to quarrying and mining, says Ramez Hamdan, MD, Industrial Equipment for the UAE, KSA, Qatar and Bahrain, at FAMCO.
“Even though SDLG graders are relatively new in the market, the G9220F has been able to carve a niche for itself as a reliable value alternative to its more prominent Western competitors, while not lagging in terms of productivity and performance,” he points out.
Hamdan adds that while the journey of SDLG motor graders has only recently begun in the Middle East, but based on initial feedback and customer experience, he is expecting exponential growth for the brand in the grader segment, with a substantial market share and long-term growth.
“The reliability, quality, productivity and uptime of SDLG equipment in general, and graders in particular, coupled with the value the brand brings and the backing of a reputed local partner such as FAMCO together make for a very promising future for SDLG grader,” Hamdan opines.
“Contractors across the Middle East looking to expand and refresh their fleets are increasingly focused on value brands offering business cost optimisation without compromising on project deliverables and quality, resulting in SDLG graders being spread out across various important projects in the region and beyond.”
With global brands pushing their latest grader products in the Middle East at every end of the model requirement and value spectrum, coupled with the ever-expanding roads and infrastructure, the grader looks set for constant upgrades in the region.