A grader or motor grader is a heavy equipment machine with a large mid-mounted blade used in creating a flat surface. Typically a motor grader consists of three axles, with the engine and operator cab being placed above the two rear axles.
A motor graders purpose is to finish grade the rough grading that has been performed by the heavier equipment such as tractor scrapers and crawler dozers. Motor graders have many uses including:

1. Maintenance of dirt and gravel roads
2. Leveling or dirt before asphalting begins
3. Snow removal
4. Drainage ditch creation

Graders can be outfitted with several different types of attachments depending on the environment and situation the operator may face these include:

1. Rear Rippers
2. Scarifiers
3. Push Blocks
4. Front Mounted Blades
5. V-Plows
6. Snow Blades

Motor graders are manufactured by several different companies such as:

1. Caterpillar
2. Case
3. John Deere
4. Hitachi

Caterpillar manufactures several different models of motor graders including the 125hp CAT 120H motor grader all the way up to the 533hp CAT 24M mining motor grader.

At Headwater Equipment we specialize in the sale of new, used and rebuilt motor graders in all sizes and from all manufacturers. Our team of journeyman welders, painters and heavy duty mechanics inspect and repair all of our pre-owned motor graders before they are ever sold ensuring that our customers receive a quality grader each and every time.
With our in house shipping department getting your new grader to you on time and on budget has never been easier.

Call the motor grader experts at Headwater Equipment today and have us help you find your pre-owned work ready grader.

1. What Are Your Needs?

Sit down and establish a list of what your needs for the heavy equipment will be. Do you need a lot of pushing power? Equipment small enough to fit into tight places?

2. What Type Of Equipment Do You Need?

Now that you know what your needs are you can narrow down your search to the specific type of equipment. If you need a lot of pushing power a crawler dozer may be what you need if you need small equipment a mini excavator may be more suited to your needs.

3. Do You Need Attachments With Your Machine?

With a specific machine in mind you will now need to figure out what else you may use the machine for. Do you also need to rip up the ground as well as pushing loads? You may want to inquire about an optional multi-shank or single shank ripper for you dozer.

4. What To Look For In The Machine?

When looking at the machine you need to be careful and look at several key points on the machine before purchasing it. If it is a crawler type of machine you need to look at the condition of the undercarriage, if it is a wheeled machine you need to pay attention to what type of condition the rubber is in. There are also things like cab condition, hydraulic condition, engine smoke, leaks, blade/bucket condition to be looked at. If you aren’t careful to look for things like this your “cheap” purchase may cost you in the long run.

5. Finding A Reputable Equipment Dealer

This could be one of the most important items you need to know in this entire list. A reputable dealer will support you through the entire buying process and into the future life of the machine. A reputable dealer will also have a knowledgeable sales staff that will be able to answer your questions about the machine and can make recommendations about other machines that may be better suited for your needs.

6. Does The Dealer Offer Service And Support For The Equipment?

Does your heavy equipment dealer offer not only equipment sales but can also sell you the attachments, parts and can repair your machine in case something happens to it? Or does your dealer work from his truck and you don’t see him again after the purchase? A full service heavy equipment dealer can save you money in the long run.

7. Shipping The Equipment To You?

Heavy equipment is an expensive purchase and to add to the cost can be the price of shipping the equipment from the dealer to you. Shipping is typically not included into the price of the equipment and can easily run into the thousands of dollars. Make sure when purchasing the equipment from a reputable dealer that they shop the shipping around and get you the best shipping price possible as prices can vary from carrier to carrier.

The sales staff of Headwater Equipment can help you find the perfect equipment you need for your next construction job.
Contact Headwater Equipment Toll Free at 1.877.327.8311

Crawler dozer blades can be found in a variety of styles including:

• Straight Blade or S-Blade – Shorter blade with no curve or side wings that can be used in fine grading applications
• Universal Blade or U-Blade – A tall and very curved blade with large side wings that allow it to push more material
• S-U Blade – A combination blade that is typically shorter with less curvature and will have smaller side wings. Can be found in a quarry setting.
• Angle Blade or A-Blade – This type of blade pivots left or right to allow material to roll off to either side and is used in general applications.
• Powered Angle Tilt Blade or PAT Blade – Has hydraulics cylinders to power the angle or tilt without the operator having to leave the operator seat. This type of blade can be used in general applications.

Crawler dozers can also have attachments on the back called Rippers that come in two different varieties a Single Shank Ripper (SS Ripper) or the Multi-Shank Ripper (MS Ripper). Rippers are used to tear up rock and hard earth breaking it into smaller rubble for easier removal to allow for easier grading.

• Single Shank Rippers (SS Rippers) – Consists of one shank (long claw-like device) preferred for heavy ripping.
• Multi-Shank Rippers (MS Rippers) – Consist of groups of two or more shanks.

Bulldozers can be found on all types of construction sites, mines, heavy industrial factories and even in military applications. Crawler dozers are made by a number of manufacturers including:

• Caterpillar
• Komatsu
• John Deere

At Headwater Equipment you can find new, used and rebuilt crawler dozers that have been inspected and repaired prior to sale, guaranteeing you the best piece of equipment for your money. Our large selection of dozer blades, rippers and winches will ensure that you have the right attachment placed on your dozer to help you get the job done.