Used Caterpillar 120K Grader

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The Cat 120K Motor Grader is a mid-sized motor grader from Caterpillar's K-Series lineup, designed for road construction, maintenance, land grading, and fine finishing work. It replaced the older H-Series (12H) graders and offers improved fuel efficiency, operator comfort, and advanced technology.

📋 KEY SPECIFICATIONS

Specification	Details
Engine	Cat® C7.1 ACERT® Turbocharged Diesel
Engine Type	6-cylinder, in-line, turbocharged aftercooled
Net Power	175 hp (130 kW) @ 2,200 rpm
Gross Power	195 hp (145 kW)
Torque Rise	35%
Operating Weight	~33,000–34,500 lbs (14,968–15,650 kg)
Blade Width	12 ft (3.7 m)
Blade Height	39.5 in (1,003 mm)
Ripper	Single shank (standard)
Transmission	Full power shift, 8 forward / 6 reverse
Top Speed	25 mph (40 km/h) forward / 16 mph (26 km/h) reverse
Fuel Tank Capacity	~80–100 gallons (303–378 L)
Hydraulic Flow	~52 gpm (197 L/min)
Tires	17.5R25 or 20.5R25 (depends on configuration)

🔧 ENGINE & PERFORMANCE

Feature	Description
Emissions	EPA Tier 4 Final / EU Stage V compliant
Fuel Efficiency	Up to 25% better fuel efficiency vs. H-Series (12H)
Cooling System	Automatic reversing fan with coolant-to-air aftercooler
Air Filtration	Heavy-duty pre-cleaner with dual-element air filter
DEF System	Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) with Diesel Exhaust Fluid

🏗️ BLADE & GRADING CAPABILITY

Feature	Details
Blade Width	12 ft (3.7 m) — ideal for municipal & rural roads
Blade Tilt	±45° (hydraulic tilt)
Blade Angle	360° rotation
Blade Pitch	Adjustable
Ripper	Single shank, 14 in (356 mm) max depth
Carry Capacity	Excellent material carry for finishing passes
Cutting Edge	Replaceable bolt-on cutting edges

🖥️ ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY & GRADE CONTROL

This is where the 120K truly shines:

Technology	Description
📡 Cat GRADE with 2D	Basic 2D grade control for slope, elevation & cross-slope
📡 Cat GRADE with 3D	Full 3D GPS/laser grade control for complex profiles
🎯 AutoCarry	Automatically adjusts blade to maintain target grade
📐 Slope Assist	Helps operator maintain consistent slopes
📊 Ride Control	Reduces blade bounce for smoother finishes (optional)
🔗 Product Link™	Telematics for fleet management, diagnostics & remote monitoring
📱 Cat VisionLink	Real-time machine health & location tracking
🌱 Eco Mode	Reduces engine speed when full power isn't needed — saves fuel
🖥️ Cab Display	8" (203 mm) LCD touchscreen monitor

🪑 OPERATOR CAB & COMFORT

Feature	Details
Cab Type	ROPS/FOPS certified, pressurized & filtered
Noise Level	~72 dB(A) — very quiet for its class
Seat	Air-ride suspension seat with armrests
Climate Control	Automatic HVAC with heating & A/C
Visibility	Excellent all-around visibility with large windows
Controls	Joystick-style levers (optional), easy-to-reach switches
Storage	Ample storage compartments, cup holders, phone mount
Lighting	LED work lights (front, rear, sides)

✅ APPLICATIONS

Application	Suitability
🛤️ Road Construction	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent
🔧 Road Maintenance & Resurfacing	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent
🏔️ Land Grading & Leveling	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent
🏘️ Site Preparation	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Good
💧 Ditch & Drainage Grading	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very Good
🏜️ Aggregate Road Maintenance	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent
❄️ Snow Removal (with blade angle)	⭐⭐⭐ Good

🔄 K-Series vs. H-Series (12H) Comparison

Feature	120K (K-Series)	12H (H-Series)
Power	175 hp	165 hp
Fuel Efficiency	~25% better	Baseline
Grade Control	Cat GRADE 2D/3D	Basic/2D
Operator Comfort	Significantly improved	Good
Visibility	Excellent	Good
Emissions	Tier 4 Final	Tier 3/Tier 4 Interim
Technology	Product Link, VisionLink	Basic telematics

💰 APPROXIMATE PRICING (2024)

Configuration	Estimated Price (USD)
Base Model (120K)	$280,000 – $320,000
With 2D Grade Control	$310,000 – $350,000
With 3D Grade Control	$340,000 – $390,000
Fully Loaded (3D + Ride Control + VisionLink)	$370,000 – $420,000

Prices vary by region, dealer, and options.

🏆 STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES

✅ Strengths	❌ Weaknesses
Excellent fuel efficiency	Higher upfront cost vs. H-Series
Best-in-class operator comfort	Limited to 12 ft blade (not for heavy cut)
Advanced grade control options	Not the largest grader (14K/16K for bigger jobs)
Low maintenance costs	Some dealers report parts availability delays
Strong resale value	Rear axle can be a wear item under heavy use
Proven Cat reliability

🏁 SUMMARY

The Cat 120K Motor Grader is one of the best mid-size graders on the market, offering:

🔹 Perfect balance of power, efficiency, and technology🔹 Ideal size for municipal, county, and contractor work🔹 Class-leading operator comfort and visibility🔹 Future-proof with Cat GRADE 3D and telematics

It's the go-to choice for contractors who need a reliable, efficient, and technologically advanced 12-foot grader for road building and maintenance.

Would you like more details on any specific aspect — such as maintenance schedule, attachments, comparison with competitors (John Deere 770K, Volvo G726), or financing options? 🚜