What are differences between a 112 grader and a 12E grader?

Hi, ETD66SS.
Basically, the 112 is 4-cylinder engined version of the 12 - D4 engine in the 112 as opposed to a D6 engine in the 12. The 112 are still a good grader, just not with quite the same grunt as the 12s.

The Galion 118s were a good grader too and about the same size as the 12s but would be a fair bit cheaper. What's more, the Galion 118s were all hydraulic controls as opposed to the Cat gear control system. The Cats might be easier to find parts for though.

Hope this helps.

Just my 0.02.

[quote="Deas Plant."]Hi, ETD66SS.
Basically, the 112 is 4-cylinder engined version of the 12 - D4 engine in the 112 as opposed to a D6 engine in the 12. The 112 are still a good grader, just not with quite the same grunt as the 12s.

The Galion 118s were a good grader too and about the same size as the 12s but would be a fair bit cheaper. What's more, the Galion 118s were all hydraulic controls as opposed to the Cat gear control system. The Cats might be easier to find parts for though.

Hope this helps.

Just my 0.02.[/quote]

Ok thanks.

Are the 112's and the 12's the same vintage, or are we talking decades apart in terms of manufacture date? Do both the 112 and 12 have gear control systems?

112's and 12's ran pretty much production parallels all along with the 112F (89J) in 1974 being the end of 112 production. Full hydraulic controls did not come in until 12G (61M) models in 1974.

Hi, ETD66SS.
Both the 112 and the 12 had gear controls up until the F series when they both went hydraulic assisted - which were MUCH nicer to use but try to find one in your price bracket.

Hope this helps.

Just my 0.02.

H.P. for No. 112 grader was 75, and No. 12, 100. Shipping weight for 112 was 19,880, and the 12 was 22,055. Figures were taken from Caterpillar catalog/brochure FORM NO. 717-31038-E-495.


John

Interesting, thanks for all the replies. While I would certainly like HYD controls on everything, maybe it's not a big deal to have gear controls due to how I would use the machine.

I've never operated one, so will be a total newb if I ever get one, just like I was with all my other equipment I suppose...

Hi, ETD66SS.
This thread might give you some idea of controls and maintenance on the older Cat graders.

http://www.acmoc.org/bb/showthread.php?20409-Cat-12-Graders-Pre-G-series

Hope this helps.

Just my 0.02.

I purchased a 12E 6 months ago and it is a good machine with a ballsy engine. It surprises me how much dirt it will move. The gear controls will make you work harder getting the job done than hydraulic. For me that didn't matter as I will probably only use it 30 hours per year. Purchase price mattered though, so hydraulic was out of the picture.

Hey PasoBob,

I know a guy that says hydraulic machines are just used for dust control. When the hoses break and cylinders leak, it keeps the dust down. In the long run, with limited use, the old gear style graders will just keep a going on if treated right. On hydraulic machines, once the hydraulics die, machines usually just get scrapped as it gets expensive to rebuild them. For limited use, nothing wrong at all with a 12 or 112 grader...heck I'm happy with my $864 Cat 12 80c. :high5:

Glen