MACHINE FIELD GUIDE / TRIM TO LEVEL
Grader hire
Motor graders cut, spread and trim material to design levels for roads, pads and hardstands. They work as part of a system with water carts and rollers, and operator skill heavily influences finish and production.
FIELD PLATE / 10 PUBLISHED SUPPLIER RECORDSMatch the size class to the task, then confirm the exact unit.
Grader size classes.
| Class | Typical work |
|---|---|
| Small graders (12 ft class) | Driveways, farm tracks and tight civil sites. |
| Medium graders (14 ft class) | Council maintenance, subdivisions and pads. |
| Large graders (16 ft +) | Highways, mine haul roads and major civil works. |
COMMON USE / 01Road and track formation
COMMON USE / 02Trimming base and subbase layers
COMMON USE / 03Unsealed road maintenance
COMMON USE / 04Hardstand and pad preparation
QUOTE CHECK
What to specify.
- Road width, length and layer being trimmed
- Tolerance and whether GPS / machine control is required
- Ripper or scarifier requirements
- Supporting water cart and roller availability
Watch points.
Grader output depends on water and compaction keeping pace.
Machine control systems may need site calibration and survey files.
Wet hire is common because finish quality relies on operator experience.
Rates for grader hire vary with size, location, duration, operator arrangement and transport. Read the plant hire cost guide and the wet vs dry hire comparison before comparing quotes, and use the supplier checklist to confirm the details.
FIELD FAQ
Grader hire questions
- Do I need a water cart with a grader?
- Almost always for construction layers. Moisture control is needed for compaction, and dust suppression is usually a site requirement.
- Can a grader work on sealed roads?
- Graders are used for shoulder and table-drain work beside sealed roads, but work near traffic needs an approved traffic management plan.
- Is grader hire usually wet or dry?
- Predominantly wet hire, because trimming to level is a skilled task and the supplier's operator knows the machine and control system.