Editing Grader (section)

{{Short description|Construction machine}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2012}}
[[File:Grader 2.jpg|thumb|[[Caterpillar, Inc.|Caterpillar]] 140 grader]]
[[File:Grader02.jpg|thumb|[[Caterpillar, Inc.|Caterpillar]] CAT 12G grader]]

A '''grader''', also commonly referred to as a ''' road grader''',  '''motor grader''', or simply '''blade''', is a form of [[heavy equipment]] with a long blade used to create a flat surface during [[Grading (engineering)|grading]]. Although the earliest models were towed behind horses, and later [[tractor]]s, most modern graders are self-propelled and thus technically "motor graders".

Typical graders have three [[axle]]s, with the steering wheels in front, followed by the grading [[blade]] or mouldboard, then a [[Cabin (truck)|cab]] and [[engine]] atop [[tandem]] rear axles. Some graders also have front-wheel drives for improved performance. Some graders have optional rear attachments, such as a  [[bulldozer#Ripper|ripper]], [[scarifier]], or [[compactor]]. A blade forward of the front axle may also be added. For [[snowplow]]ing and some dirt grading operations, a main blade extension can also be mounted.

Capacities range from a blade width of 2.50 to 7.30 m (8 to 24&nbsp; ft) and engines from 93–373 [[kW]] (125–500 [[horsepower|hp]]). Certain graders can operate multiple attachments, or be designed for specialized tasks like underground mining.