The last grader we featured was an ornament more than anything, but this one’s a runner. Listed here on auctiontime.com, with bidding at $450, is this well-behaved 1951 Caterpillar 112 motor grader. NW Iowa Kevin sent the tip over to us – thanks! The first self-propelled motor grader was introduced by Russell Grader Manufacturing Company in 1919. It was basically a tractor with a blade – and in those days, “tractor” meant steel tracks. When Caterpillar bought Russell in 1928, the company innovated its way into a top position in the motor grader market when it launched the purpose-built, rear-engined Auto Patrol in 1931. Riding on rubber wheels and offering a clear view of the work ahead, the Auto Patrol broke new ground (ha) in the industry. But that wasn’t the last word in graders by a long shot. Cat’s 12 arrived in 1938, with a moldboard (blade) that could be maneuvered into myriads of positions. The smaller 112 dished up further improvements, with more sophisticated in-cab controls, minimizing manual blade adjustment.
While the 12 was powered by a six-cylinder diesel, the 112 utilized Cat’s D315 four-cylinder diesel – both of these fired by a gasoline pony motor at start-up. The 12 offered about 68 hp, while the 112 managed about 72 hp. A six forward speed/one reverse manual gearbox brings power to the four rear wheels. There is no differential: the crown wheel is mounted directly to a solid rear axle. Grip is fantastic, but the grader needs its two leaning front wheels to aid steering. Several parts were recently installed, including a master cylinder, battery, brake hoses, and power steering belt.
The seller claims that the upholstery is new, but the horsehair stuffing is original. One windshield is broken, but the cab heater works, as do the gauges. This grader was sold new to the city of Seward, Nebraska.
The 112 is a rigid-frame grader; today, articulated graders are far more popular. That doesn’t mean this handsome brute couldn’t be seriously useful – shaving your gravel drive, moving debris, cutting ditches. On the other hand, this machine weighs around 20,000 lbs, so hauling it home from David City, Nebraska, might be a challenge. If you need a grader, this Cat 112 would be a stylish option!
, Ahhhh, ( endorphins kicking in), great way to start the day, a motor grader, of course. 1st, thanks to the author, except, “horsehair ” seats, Michelle, how do you sleep at night?
2nd, settle in folks,,I have some experience with theses, not as an operator, but the trencher dealer I worked for, the boss bought a grader just like this for his property in the UP. Yeah, took a grader to get to it. It came in on a flatbed, and me being the yard guy, was my job to unload it. It was the first time I operated a pony motor, although had heard of them. Start the pony motor via recoil, and a dog clutch for the diesel. Open the diesel throttle, putt, putt, BAM, it was intimidating to say the least. If you notice, no hydraulics. All the attachments are operated by those driveshafts that “screw” the blade up and down, via a big gearbox on the dash of the cab. It has live dogs spinning, and you jam the appropriate lever for the corresponding function. It really requires some skill.
The author described the drive system, but stopped a bit short. These are chain drive, in the oval housing behind the rear tires. Not sure why it was done that way, I think modern graders still use them. It was no fun when an operator “threw” a chain, but rarely happened. It should also be mentioned, that before the war, many rural municipalities still used horse drawn graders, and even after the war, those outfits used graders pulled behind dump trucks. It wasn’t until the late 60s, that motor graders became commonplace.
Here’s where the BFs creepiness kicks in. Traveling the back roads( if you can call them that), Colorado has suspended practically all grading operations. Their motor graders sit rusting with flat tires in an equipment yard. The duty then fell upon the Forest Service, and didn’t last long either due to budget cuts. That, in conjunction with modern ATVs, have left the roads in deplorable condition. Basically rock climbing, and not much fun. I went so far as to possibly buying a motor grader, okay not this size, but a small one and grade off some of these roads. Meh, I’m too old for such foolishness, but I sure am glad the site and author had the incentive to post this, fun stuff, dare I say I like the “new” BarnFinds? Thank you.
This is really neat!!! Unfortunately the closest I ever got to a Grader was the Tonka version, it’s a bit smaller than this one 🤣 . I can’t wait to see all the comments on this. And that line Michelle, “broke new ground”, loved that!!! Thank you for writing this up, and the history lesson too. I enjoyed this over my cup of coffee this morning.
Ha, the puns are endless for a machine like this beast! Michelle knows her stuff in general, but especially with these touch machines. They used these in Duluth, MN for plowing snow, with the hills. I always thought the front wheels were also powered, but I guess not.
Here’s a much smaller version I snagged earlier this year.
Look at the operators seat. This ain’t a comfort queen.
Used to love watching the graders out the window 🪟 as a kid clearing snow off the street. Awesome machines.
I guess you could say that……
When Michelle writes equipment up like this……..
It really “Makes the Grade!!!” 😆 🤣 😂
***Insert Rimshot here****
Ok…. Ok…. I’ll just see myself out now.
That’s a cut above, Dave! 😜
Nice!!! 😆 🤣 😂