Editing Grader (section)

==Function==
[[File:Budowa Velostrady nr 6 - odcinek Katowice Brynów - Katowice Brynów, wyrównywarka oraz walec podczas pracy.jpg|thumb|Grader at work]]
In [[civil engineering]] "rough grading" is performed by heavy equipment such as [[wheel tractor-scraper]]s and [[bulldozer]]s. Graders are used to "finish grade", with the angle, tilt (or pitch), and height of their blade capable of being adjusted to a high level of precision.

Graders are commonly used in the construction and maintenance of [[dirt road|dirt]] and [[gravel road|gravel]] roads. In constructing [[road construction|paved roads]], they prepare a wide flat [[base course]] for the final [[road surface]]. Graders are also used to set native [[soil]] or [[gravel]] [[foundation (architecture)|foundation]] pads to finish grade before the construction of large buildings. Graders can produce [[Cant (road/rail)|canted]] surfaces for drainage or safety. They may be used to produce drainage ditches with shallow V-shaped cross-sections on either side of highways.

[[Steering]] is performed via a [[steering wheel]], or a [[joystick]] capable of controlling both the angle and cant of the front wheels.  Many models also allow frame [[articulated vehicle|articulation]] between the front and rear axles, which allows a smaller turning radius in addition to allowing the operator to adjust the articulation angle to aid in the efficiency of moving material. Other implement functions are typically hydraulically powered and can be directly controlled by [[lever]]s, or by joystick inputs or electronic switches controlling [[electrohydraulic servo valve]]s.

Graders are also outfitted with modern digital grade control technologies, such as those manufactured by [[Topcon|Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.]], [[Trimble Navigation]], [[Leica Geosystems]], or Mikrofyn.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mikrofyn.com/ |title=Home |website=mikrofyn.com}}</ref> These may combine both [[laser]] and [[GPS]] guidance to establish precise grade control and (potentially) "stateless" construction. Manufacturers such as [[John Deere]] have also begun to integrate these technologies during construction.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deere.com/en/campaigns/smartgrade-motor-graders/|title=Motor Grader Technology &#124; John Deere US}}</ref>[[File:J.D. Adams leaning wheel graders - DPLA - f7a7f1eb490c98b15d1e9a42194a5a6c (page 51).jpg|thumb|1910 Ad for an Adams Road Maintainer from J.A. Adams Company]]