Pull Grader Power Ratings

In the last issue, we looked at several factors that went into the design of pull graders. Here’s another important consideration that space did not allow to be included in that discussion.

Grader literature often recommended the appropriate power supply, either in horses or tractor horsepower, for the machine in question. While ratings likely varied from one company to another, this table of data published by J. D. Adams is representative of how much power was recommended for various sizes of graders without allowing for the breed of horse:

Other types of equipment that encountered resistance from the ground, particularly scrapers, were also rated in this fashion, and woe to the operator who disregarded these ratings! Applying too much power under load risked several outcomes, all undesirable: Forcing the machine away from its work; excessive wear at best or breakage at worst; or having to take less than an optimum load to avoid the other two.

The Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history of the construction, dredging and surface mining equipment industries. With approximately 4,000 members in 25  countries, activities include publication of a quarterly educational magazine, Equipment Echoes; operation of National Construction Equipment Museum and archives in Bowling Green, OH; and hosting an annual working exhibition of restored construction equipment. The  2019 show will be September 13-15 at the Museum in Bowling Green. Individual memberships within the USA and Canada are $35 for one year, $65.95 for two years and $99.95 for three years, and $55.00 U.S. elsewhere. HCEA seeks to develop relationships in the equipment manufacturing industry, and we offer a college scholarship for engineering and construction management students. Information is available at www.hcea.net, or by calling 419-352-5616 or e-mailing [email protected].