Equipment Financing
0% Down Available on All Brands
Axiant Partners finances all major motor grader brands — Caterpillar, Komatsu, John Deere, Volvo, and more. 0% down available for qualified borrowers. Terms up to 84 months.
- ✓ 0% down for qualified borrowers
- ✓ Road construction and municipal specialists
- ✓ New and used graders
- ✓ GPS grade control included in loan
- ✓ Decision in 24–48 hours
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Motor Grader Financing — Cat, Komatsu, John Deere & Volvo Complete Guide
Finance motor graders from $170,000 to $500,000+. Caterpillar 120/140/160, Komatsu GD, John Deere 622/672/772, and Volvo G series with real price tables, lender requirements, and residual value data.
Key Facts: Motor Grader Financing
- Price Range: $170,000 (John Deere 622) to $500,000+ (Cat 160)
- Top Brands: Caterpillar, Komatsu, John Deere, Volvo
- Primary Applications: Road construction, mining maintenance, municipal grading
- Lender Note: Smaller lender pool than excavators — specialization required
- Typical Terms: 60–84 months | Rates: 6.5%–11% APR (2024)
- Residual Strength: Very strong — Cat 140 retains 55%–65% at 5 years
- OEM Programs: Cat Financial, Komatsu Financial, John Deere Financial, Volvo Financial
Motor Grader Applications and Why Specialization Matters for Financing
A motor grader is a large, wheeled construction machine with a long adjustable blade (moldboard) mounted between the front and rear axles. The blade can be angled, tilted, and positioned with precision to cut, spread, and level material — making motor graders the essential machine for road construction, mine haul road maintenance, and municipal road grading. A skilled grader operator can achieve surface tolerances of ±0.1 inches with GPS grade control, which is impossible with any other machine type.
Motor graders are used across three primary markets: road construction contractors (building and finishing road bases for highways and local roads), municipalities (maintaining unpaved roads, grading shoulders, and snow removal), and mining operations (maintaining haul roads where even small surface imperfections cost significant time and fuel for large haul trucks).
This specialization is what makes motor grader financing distinct. The lender pool is smaller because not all commercial equipment lenders have auction data and residual value models for graders — a lender who primarily finances excavators and skid steers may be unfamiliar with grader values. Working with a broker or lender who specializes in heavy road construction equipment is important for getting competitive terms on a motor grader loan.
Motor Grader Models — Price and Specification Table
| Brand / Model | HP | Blade Width | Operating Weight | New Price | Used Price (3–5 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caterpillar 120 | 154HP | 12 ft | 27,000 lbs | $200,000–$265,000 | $100,000–$140,000 |
| Caterpillar 140 | 185HP | 14 ft | 33,000 lbs | $280,000–$370,000 | $140,000–$195,000 |
| Caterpillar 150 | 215HP | 14 ft | 36,000 lbs | $330,000–$430,000 | $165,000–$230,000 |
| Caterpillar 160 | 250HP | 16 ft | 43,000 lbs | $390,000–$500,000+ | $195,000–$270,000 |
| Komatsu GD555-5 | 160HP | 12 ft | 28,000 lbs | $185,000–$245,000 | $92,000–$130,000 |
| Komatsu GD655-5 | 198HP | 14 ft | 34,500 lbs | $250,000–$330,000 | $125,000–$175,000 |
| Komatsu GD675-5 | 230HP | 14 ft | 40,000 lbs | $320,000–$420,000 | $160,000–$220,000 |
| Komatsu GD825A-2 | 354HP | 16 ft | 65,000 lbs | $420,000–$550,000+ | $210,000–$290,000 |
| John Deere 622GP | 155HP | 12 ft | 26,500 lbs | $170,000–$225,000 | $85,000–$120,000 |
| John Deere 672GP | 195HP | 14 ft | 33,000 lbs | $235,000–$310,000 | $118,000–$165,000 |
| John Deere 772GP | 235HP | 14 ft | 41,000 lbs | $310,000–$410,000 | $155,000–$215,000 |
| Volvo G930B | 185HP | 14 ft | 29,000 lbs | $175,000–$235,000 | $87,000–$125,000 |
| Volvo G940B | 205HP | 14 ft | 33,000 lbs | $225,000–$300,000 | $112,000–$160,000 |
| Volvo G960B | 250HP | 16 ft | 40,000 lbs | $290,000–$390,000 | $145,000–$205,000 |
Cat Financial vs. Komatsu Financial vs. John Deere Financial — Motor Grader Programs
All three major OEM lenders have strong motor grader programs, but they differ in promotional frequency, term lengths, and municipal financing capabilities.
Cat Financial is the market leader for motor grader financing, offering the broadest program including: standard loans (36–84 months), FMV leases, TRAC leases, and dedicated municipal lease-purchase programs. Cat Financial is particularly strong for municipal customers — the tax-exempt municipal lease structure saves government entities 1–2 percentage points vs. commercial rates. Cat also offers the most aggressive promotional programs, with 0% for 36–48 months on select new graders during CONEXPO periods.
Komatsu Financial offers competitive programs with strong terms for road construction contractors. Komatsu's financing tends to be slightly more competitive for larger loan amounts ($300,000+) where the OEM lender relationship gives Komatsu an edge over independent lenders. Komatsu Financial also has strong used grader financing for machines up to 15 years old purchased through the Komatsu dealer network.
John Deere Financial is the best OEM option for customers who already have John Deere agricultural equipment — the cross-platform relationship often results in better terms for existing JD customers. John Deere Financial's grader programs are competitive but tend to be less promotional than Cat in terms of 0% offers.
Motor Grader Financing — Term and Rate Table
| Financing Type | Provider | Best For | Typical Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| OEM Loan | Cat Financial, Komatsu Financial, JD Financial | New machines, promotional rates | 36–84 months, 0%–3.9% promos available |
| Municipal Lease-Purchase | Cat Financial, independent municipal lenders | Government entities | 36–84 months, tax-exempt rate |
| Bank / Credit Union | Regional banks, ag/construction credit unions | Established businesses, best rates | 60–84 months, prime +1–2.5% |
| Independent Lender | Beacon Capital, ENGS, Pacific Western Equipment Finance | Road construction specialists | 48–84 months, competitive rates |
| TRAC Lease | OEM or bank lessors | Fleet operators wanting balloon structure | 36–72 months, guaranteed residual |
| Section 179 / Bonus Depreciation | Any lender | Year-end tax planning | Full deduction up to $1.16M (2024) |
Caterpillar 140 vs. Komatsu GD655 vs. John Deere 672 — Comparison
| Criterion | Caterpillar 140 | Komatsu GD655-5 | John Deere 672GP |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Price | $280,000–$370,000 | $250,000–$330,000 | $235,000–$310,000 |
| HP | 185HP | 198HP | 195HP |
| Resale at 5 Years | 55%–65% of new | 50%–60% of new | 48%–58% of new |
| Lender Recognition | Best — Cat brand dominates | Excellent | Very good |
| OEM Financing | Cat Financial — strongest program | Komatsu Financial — competitive | JD Financial — good for existing customers |
| GPS Integration | Cat Grade — industry standard | Komatsu iMC — excellent | SmartGrade — good |
| Dealer Network | Largest in North America | Very strong | Strong |
| Best For | Best resale, widest lender pool | Road construction, competitive price | Existing JD customers, value |
Ready to Finance a Motor Grader?
Get matched with lenders who specialize in road construction equipment — Cat 120/140/160, Komatsu GD series, John Deere 622/672/772, and Volvo G series.
Frequently Asked Questions — Motor Grader Financing
Why is the lender pool smaller for motor graders compared to excavators or loaders?
Motor graders are highly specialized machines with a narrower buyer base than excavators or wheel loaders. While an excavator can be used by thousands of different contractors for dozens of applications, a motor grader is primarily used by road construction companies, municipalities, mining operations, and large earthmoving contractors — a smaller, more specialized market. This narrower buyer base means fewer lenders specialize in grader financing. However, the lenders who do finance graders often offer competitive terms because grader residuals are strong — these machines hold value well and are in consistent demand from municipalities and road contractors.
What are typical motor grader financing terms in 2024?
Motor grader financing typically runs 60–84 months given the high purchase prices ($170,000–$500,000+). Rates in 2024 range from approximately 6.5%–11% APR for established businesses. Cat Financial and Komatsu Financial both offer OEM financing with periodic promotional programs. Down payments range from 0%–10% for qualified buyers to 15%–20% for newer businesses. For graders above $300,000, lenders typically require 3+ years of business tax returns, strong revenue documentation, and sometimes project/contract evidence showing demand for the machine.
Which motor grader brand holds its value best?
Caterpillar motor graders consistently hold the strongest residual values in the segment. A 5-year-old Cat 140 retains approximately 55%–65% of new value — significantly above the industry average. This reflects Caterpillar's dominant brand recognition, comprehensive dealer network, and strong parts availability. Komatsu graders run close behind, typically retaining 50%–60% at 5 years. John Deere and Volvo graders hold solid residuals but generally trail Cat and Komatsu slightly. Strong residuals across all major brands make motor grader loans attractive to lenders.
Can a municipality finance a motor grader?
Yes — municipalities are among the most common motor grader buyers and have access to specialized financing options not available to private businesses. Municipal equipment financing (sometimes called tax-exempt leasing or municipal lease-purchase) allows government entities to finance equipment at tax-exempt interest rates, which are typically 1–2 percentage points below conventional commercial rates. Municipal financing does not require annual budget appropriations in most structures, making it practical for multi-year equipment loans. Cat Financial, Komatsu Financial, and several independent lenders offer dedicated municipal financing programs.
What documentation do lenders require for a motor grader loan above $300,000?
For motor grader loans above $300,000, lenders typically require: 3 years of business tax returns, a current year-to-date profit and loss statement, a business balance sheet, 6 months of business bank statements, a personal financial statement and personal tax returns for all owners over 20%, and sometimes a project schedule or contract documentation showing backlog. The higher loan amount triggers more intensive underwriting because the lender is taking on more risk. Strong business revenues, low existing debt, and a track record with similar equipment all improve approval odds and available terms.
Is GPS/grade control technology financed together with the motor grader?
Yes — GPS grade control systems (Trimble, Leica, Topcon) can be financed as part of the total equipment package. Adding GPS grade control to a motor grader adds $25,000–$80,000 to the purchase price depending on the system. Including it in the equipment loan is simpler than financing it separately and increases total collateral value. Most lenders who finance motor graders are familiar with GPS grade control and will include it in the loan without issue. Some Cat Financial and Komatsu Financial programs have specific provisions for technology add-ons.
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