Graders ~ these machines are similar in concept to bulldozers in
that they have a long slender adjustable mould blade, which is
usually slung under the centre of the machine. A grader's main
function is to finish or grade the upper surface of a large area
usually as a follow up operation to scraping or bulldozing. They
can produce a fine and accurate finish but do not have the power
of a bulldozer therefore they are not suitable for oversite
excavation work. The mould blade can be adjusted in both the
horizontal and vertical planes through an angle of 300°the latter
enabling it to be used for grading sloping banks.
Two basic formats of grader are available:-
Four Wheeled † all wheels are driven and steered which gives
the machine the ability to offset and crab along its direction
of travel.
Six Wheeled † this machine has 4 wheels in tandem drive at
the rear and 2 front tilting idler wheels giving it the ability
to counteract side thrust.
Graders