A grader, also commonly referred to as a blade, is an engineering vehicle with a large blade used to create a flat surface. Typical models have three axles, with the engine and cab situated above the rear axles at one end of the vehicle and a third axle at the front end of the vehicle, with the blade in between.

In civil engineering, the grader's purpose is to "finish grade" (refine, set precisely) the "rough grading" performed by heavier engineering vehicles such scrapers and bulldozers.

Graders are commonly used in maintenance of unpaved roads and road construction to prepare the base course to create a wide flat surface for the asphalt to be placed on. Graders are also used to set native soil foundation pads to finish grade prior to the construction of buildings.

In some locales such as Canada, graders are often used in municipal/residential snow removal.

Capacities range from a blade width of 2.50 to 7.30 m and engines from 93 - 373 kW (125 - 500 hp).

See also

• Backhoe loader
• Bulldozer
• Crane
• Engineering vehicles
• Excavator
• Front loader
• Skid loader
• Tractor
• Scraper

Engineering vehicles | Snow removal

Grader | מפלסת | Równiarka | Грейдер | Máy san