Why do grader wheels lean?

in-too-deep · Jan 27, 2011

Why do graders have front wheels that lean? When do you want them to lean? Can't figure it out for the life of me.

MNGB · Jan 27, 2011

Heres one reason
Leaning the front wheels can also vary the cutting depth, but this feature is much more important to keeping the grader pulling in a straight line. The top of the front wheels are normally leaned in the direction that material comes off the moldboard.

"You can fine grade with the wheels straight up and down," says Mennenga, "but you want to get those front wheels leaning in the direction of the windrow, working with you, when the windrow gets heavy."

Set the front wheels in a vertical position when working side slopes or ditches or lean them up the hill for better steering control. Or when working across a slope using articulation, you can lean the wheels down the slope to prevent the front-axle from reaching its oscillating limit. An operator can also use wheel lean to make slight steering corrections without taking his hands off the hydraulic controls.

Janicholson · Jan 27, 2011

From an Adams Leaning wheel grader operator. (I think I remember the last dislocated thumb from the lift wheel). Jim

730d se · Jan 27, 2011

It is a feature on better road graders, but not all of them have it. The wheel lean is used to help the operator get a perfect grading finish. When the blade is at an angle, it helps to keep the grader pulling in a straight line. The top of the front wheels are normally leaned in the direction that material comes off the blade (moldboard).
So which ever side the front of the moldboard is closest to the front wheels, they would lean to the opposite side.
The operator learns how much lean is needed based on depth of cut, angle of moldboard, material being graded, speed, etc.
Makes for pretty grading and saves the brakes.

wijim · Jan 27, 2011

As one who operates a grader once in awhile they turn shorter with the wheels leaned in the direction of the turn. Also when winging back snow the leaning of front wheels comes in handy.Jim

old · Jan 27, 2011

Well think about it. As you are grading that blade likes to try pushing the front end side ways. When you lean the tires that helps counter act the push of the blade so in turn it helps keep the machine going pretty much in a straight line. A good machine has many thing you can do with the blade that few people ever see. Like being able to pull the blade out from under the thing and have it sitting straight up and way to the side to cut a ditch. The old Gallion 303 had that option on it

Mel in SW Iowa · Jan 27, 2011

Lean wheels counter-acts side draft plus effects described below.

IOWA NORTHEAST · Jan 27, 2011

I have a old Adams horse drawn grader that leans. A brass tag on the graders says....As a man leans into his work (a picture of a man and a wheelborrow) so does the Adams grader lean into its load. Perhaps not the exact words, but close.

If you are shoveling dirt, you tend to lean towards the shovel.

Ron in Nebr · Jan 27, 2011

Hey, we've got one of those too! The company actually referred to it right on a plate rivited to the frame as the "Adams Leaning Wheel Grader".

1936 · Jan 27, 2011

Will be a circle grader without the lean.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 27, 2011

Adams had a watch fob with that same message and picture..

Larry in IA · Jan 27, 2011

All of the replies are true. Another reason is being able to grab a windrow of gravel on a road with as much angle on the blade as possible. As a grader operator for the county I live in, I have used wheel lean in every scenario possible. It is amazing what a grader can do with an experienced operator at the controls.

Anonymous-0 · Jan 27, 2011

All the answers below are technically right, but do not address the truth, completely. The reason they lean, is so that when some lame driver has to pass you close, you can lean the wheels over, and rip the rubber strips offa their doors, and paint nice swirly marks on their door, at the same time!

teddy52food · Jan 27, 2011

It is for going around corners fast!

Gene Davis (Ga.) · Jan 27, 2011

Leaning the wheels to the outside of the lane when you are driving on the road also eliminates some of the wheel shimmy and rough bouncing that the tires usually do.

Badger bob · Jan 27, 2011

Larrys right. i run a grader in nw ia and it is amazing what you can do with the wheels leaning. i even use them in the winter when i wing snow. Bob

Anonymous-0 · Jan 27, 2011

It takes a lot of experience to become a good finish grader operator. Most equipment operators will say a grader is the hardest machine to get really proficient at using. Dave

Anonymous-0 · Jan 27, 2011

Short answer..... bad wheel bearings. Long answer..... just like the DOT employees leaning on a shovel handle (it keeps them from falling over) 'sept you can't see the shovel handle on the grader.

Bob · Jan 28, 2011

YEP! WHAT a short, simple, and TRUE answer!

Rich Iowa · Jan 28, 2011

I see this a lot. The county has a shed here in my small town and most every holiday someone will pull a grader out and park it close to the road with the blade on its end with a flag on top. Very nice touch.

gene bender · Jan 28, 2011

To keep the front from going against the way you want to steer the blade action does move the front side ways the more the angle and depth of cut. If you have ever used a front blade you would understand easy.

old · Jan 28, 2011

And just think it is at least a $100,000 flag pole LOL

Why do grader wheels lean?

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