ForConstructionPros.com

A well-adjusted and maintained motor grader has always been able to achieve precise grades with an experienced operator in the seat. But the growing popularity of grade control systems is re-defining the term "precise." This places an even greater emphasis on maintenance of the moldboard system.

"With more and more contractors going to automatic blade control (GPS, sonic, laser guided) for grade control, some of these systems are operating at precision levels approaching +/- 1/8 in.," notes Gary J. Atkinson, Southeast region product manager - road products, Volvo Construction Equipment North America. "Of course, the tighter the tolerance is between the blade support arms attached to the mainframe of the grader, the turn circle and the moldboard itself, the tighter the tolerance the total system can maintain."

Having too much play in the moldboard system is a common occurrence. Atkinson often delivers new motor graders for jobsite demonstrations. These machines are set up to factory spec.

"Essentially, these machines come from the factory with virtually zero total vertical clearance," he notes. "Operators have a hard time adapting to it because the machine they got off of is essentially worn out. They have an inch or more of vertical movement in the entire system. The moldboard on the grader is essentially operating in float control.

 "When we bring out a brand new grader that is absolutely tight, where you set the moldboard is where it is going to be," he continues. "That is what you want with automatic blade control."