
A reconditioned motor grader sells at a fraction of the price of a new model. But before you leap in and pay, there are vital components you should check for signs of wear and tear and shabby repair jobs.
Steering
Steering is a vital component of any vehicle. It allows the operator to control the heavy duty machine.
An easy way to check the steering is to turn on the engine, hit the clutch and turn the steering wheel in both directions. If the clutch pedal kicks up as you’re manipulating the steering wheel, it’s a sure sign there’s a problem with the cushion valve.
A faulty valve can result in a locked steering system.
Hydraulics
The hydraulics is what powers the machine. Leaks can dramatically affect the grader’s performance. Check the hydraulics system for leaks, and ensure there’s no damage to the piston rods or pivot pins. Examine all hoses, cylinders and lines, both inside the engine compartment, and out.
Circle
The circle absorbs the most force during grading. Without a fully functional and properly maintained circle, the motor grader is practically useless.
Check for any cracks, welds or plates. Examine the teeth for wear, as even the slightest damage can affect operations, and is costly to repair. If the surface of the circle shows signs of uneven scuffing, it’s not properly aligned.
A good way to inspect the circle is to move it through all its motions. You’ll be able to identify whether there is undue play on the turn cranks or linkage system.
Mouldboard
Inspect the mouldboard for any signs of deterioration. The cutting edge should be straight, all the bolts in position, and the side rails at the top of the board smooth and free of impact damage. If there is less than 13 cm of cutting edge, it should be replaced.
Body alignment
Inspect the body of the grader for cracks, plates and repairs, and, where possible, confirm the repairs were done by a qualified welder. Make sure the frame is not leaning to one side, and measure the distance between the tandems and the rear wheels for consistency.
Check that the front and back of the vehicle is aligned. Any problems with the alignment are usually indicative of a bent or loose articulation point.
Motor grader reconditioning: best practice
At KH Plant, skilled and experienced technicians follow a rigorous step-by-step reconditioning process. Only the best repair and refurbishment techniques are employed to create a ‘good as new’ and fully operational motor grader.
The process starts with an exhaustive pre-build inspection and evaluation that pinpoints exactly which components have to be repaired or replaced. Once a rebuild blueprint is in place, the machine is sandblasted, primed and disassembled.
Each part is carefully examined, and any cracks, metal fatigue, and abrasions are identified for further attention
Damaged, worn or faulty components are repaired or replaced with new parts. The entire power train is remanufactured, incorporating updated cutting edge engineering innovations. The reconditioned motor grader is then assembled and performance tested.

At KH Plant, we specialise in restoring Caterpillar 140G, 140H and 140K motor graders to as-new condition – so you can get the benefits of a new motor grader at a fraction of the cost of a new machine. Contact us for more information or to discuss your needs.