The new CAT GB120 and GB124 SMART Grader Blade attachments are available for CAT D3 Series Skid Steer Loaders and Compact Track Loaders. As with the SMART Dozer Blade attachment, the D3 host machine recognizes the grader blade and unlocks special display screens that provide options for attachment control, allowing the joysticks to be repurposed to perform attachment functions. Selecting the attachment-control mode allows the right joystick to operate blade functions— tilt (moving the joystick side-to-side), angle (rotating the thumb wheel forward or rearward), and lift (moving the joystick fore and aft). In the advanced display, the home screen shows the cross-slope of the blade, as well as the blade angle.
The ASSIST feature allows selecting either the Cross Slope Right pattern or Cross Slope Left pattern and maintains the cross-slope setting, independent of the machine’s operating angle. If the Cross Slope Right pattern is selected, the forward/backward movement of the right joystick controls the right side of the blade by raising and lowering the attachment’s right lift cylinder. The machine/attachment will control the left side of the blade to maintain the desired cross-slope, allowing the operator to focus on the right side of the blade. Cross Slope Left pattern reverses this setting.
Also, as the blade is angled and geometry changes, the attachment calculates and maintains the cross-slope setting. It even maintains the desired cross-slope angle when you rotate the blade to windrow the material. The special display screens of the SMART Grader Blade provides the operator with feedback about the orientation of the attachment, displaying blade slope, as well as blade angle.
Standard blade width is 78 inches (1 990 mm) for model GB120 and 96 inches (2 440 mm) for GB124. With optional wings extended, width is, respectively, 85 inches (2 150 mm) and 103 inches (2 605 mm). Blade tilt for both models is 15 degrees, blade lift is 6 inches (150 mm), and maximum cut depth is 4 inches (100 mm). Independent caster wheels rotate 360 degrees and provide support for forward and reverse grading.