In the field of small-scale construction, whether it’s rural road hardening, residential pipeline maintenance, road repair or village yard leveling, high-quality graders will change the rules of the game. Among the many options on the market, the GR135 stands out as a specialized tool for micro-engineering. While models like the Sany motor grader excel in medium-scale tasks, the XCMG GR135 fills a critical gap for projects where space is limited, precision is non-negotiable, and cost-efficiency matters most. This article explores what the XCMG GR135 motor grader is, its unique advantages, key specs, real-world cases, and extreme environment performance.
What Is the GR135 motor grader?
The GR135 is a compact, high-performance motor grader engineered for micro-engineering. Different from large graders used for highways or dams, it gives priority to mobility, low fuel consumption and accuracy, which are the keys to rural/suburban operations. Although Sany motor grader provides reliability in larger scene, the goal of XCMG GR135 is to level narrow rural lanes, build small parking lot and rebuild old urban lanes. It balances power and flexibility, working in a narrow spaces that large graders can’t cope with, and solves the “pain points of small projects”, such as navigating 3-meter-wide driveway or realizing the smoothness of cement pavement below 3 mm.
Unique Advantages of the GR135 motor grader.
1. Streamline power, lower fuel consumption.
The XCMG GR135’s efficient power system uses a Yunnei Power YN 38 CRE 1 engine (National III emission standard) with 85 kW rated power and 2200 rpm rated speed. Its variable fuel injection technology is suitable for the “low intensity and frequent interruptions” of micro-engineering companies: idle fuel consumption is 1.2 liters/hour, and the operating fuel consumption is 18-22 liters/hour-8% -10% lower than that of competitors, including some Sany variants of graders. For a rural courtyard project (6 hours/day), it uses 108-132 liters of fuel, which saves 2-4 liters/day compared with similar Sany motor grader, thus reducing the long-term costs.
2. Small volume and flexible Operation.
The size of XCMG GR135 Only 6.8m in length, 2.3m in width and 2.6m in height (one of the most compact models of its kind), and the minimum turning radius is 5.2m, which is 15% -20% smaller than that of competitors (including Sany compact motor grader). It can easily turn in a 3-meter country road or a 2.5-meter factory tunnel. It has 5 forward gears (2.5-30km/h) and 2 reverse gears (3.0-18km/h): low speeds (2.5-5km/h) is suitable for precise tasks such as yard leveling, and the high speeds (20-30km/h) is suitable for short-distance repositioning-very suitable for scattered working points.
3. Balanced Traction and Operational Precision.
The XCMG GR135 delivers ≥ 52 kN traction (f = 0.6, common for rural dirt/gravel). Its 3.2 m-wide mold board has 400 mm max lifting height and 280 mm max cutting depth, balancing range and precision. A standard manual leveling device keeps flatness error ≤4 mm, meeting micro-engineering’s “no laser equipment, but to achieve standard terrain” needs. Compared with Sany’s entry-level grader models (5-6 mm error), it reduces rework in the following steps, such as cement/asphalt paving.
Key Specifications of the GR135 motor grader.
The GR135 features 6.8 m × 2.3 m × 2.6 m dimensions, Yunnei Power YN 38 CRE 1 engine (85 kW/2200 rpm), 1.2 l/h idle fuel use, 18-22 l/h operation fuel use, and 5.2 m minimum turning radius. It has 5 forward (2.5-30 km/h) and 2 reverse (3.0-18 km/h) gears, ≥ 52 kN traction (f = 0.6), 3.2 m mold board width (400 mm lift/280 mm cut), ≤ 4 mm flatness error, 16/70-20 narrow-base anti-skid tires (0.06 MPa ground pressure), ≥ 99.8% efficient dual-stage air filter, 220 v preheater (-15℃ use), and L-HV 32 low-temperature hydraulic oil.
Real-World Application Cases of the GR135 motor grader.
Case 1: rural narrow lane hardening project.
Difficulties
A 2.8 m-wide lane (houses on both sides, no avoidance space) needed base leveling for 5 cm cement (≤ 3 mm height difference to prevent cracking). A standard grader (like a larger Sany motor grader) needs to reverse many times, which is in danger of collision and can not meet the flatness standards.
Solution and Results.
The XCMG GR135 used its 5.2 m turning radius for one-pass “forward leveling – reverse adjustment,” 15° max moldboard tilt to avoid walls, and manual leveling (5 m checks) for ≤3 mm error. It completed 150 meters/day (6 hours) three days ahead of schedule, without damaging the wall, saving 12,000 yuan compared with the Sany motor grader originally considered.
Case 2: Road Restoration After Residential Pipeline Repair.
Difficulties
A 10 m × 2 m × 0.5 m pothole (3 m working space, nearby cars) needed leveling (≤ 2 mm height difference vs. original road) before asphalt. Traditional “small drum+manual” was slow and inaccurate.
Solution and Results.
The XCMG GR135’s compact body entered via 2.5 m passages, used “layered backfilling-leveling” (0.2 m gravel layers), and mold board edge alignment for ≤ 2 mm error. It was completed within 4 hours (2 hours faster than traditional methods), without asphalt settlement, and passed the acceptance test at one time-more reliable than similar Sany motor grader.
GR135‘s Solutions for Extreme Environments.
1.the muddy courtyard environment in rural areas.
16/70-20 anti-skid tires (0.06 MPa ground pressure, 30% less stuck risk), chassis rubber dust covers, and sealed cab floors keep mud/water out. In the rainy seasons in south China, it can work on mud with water content of 40% without getting stuck; Chassis parts stay rust-free after 1 year—outperforming basic Motor Grader Sany models.
2. The dusty alley environment in the city.
A dual-stage air filter (≥ 99.8% efficiency), detachable cab dust cover, and hydraulic tank filters reduce dust. During 80-hour continuous transformation of the old roadway, the air filter only needs to be cleaned (without hydraulic blockage) -unlike the entry model of Sany motor grader (filter is replaced every 50-60 hours).
3. Low-Temperature Rural Winter Environment (-5℃ to -15℃).
A 220 v preheater (starting at -15℃ for 5 minutes), L-HV 32 hydraulic oil (works at -10℃) and a 1.5 kW waste heat cab heater ensure performance. In northern winter toilet projects, it starts normally (without hydraulic blockage) when the cab temperature exceeds 10℃, which is superior to the trinity compact model of cold-sensitive grader.
Conclusion
For micro-engineering contractors, the XCMG GR135 motor grader is a cost-effective, reliable partner. Although Sany motor grader has performed well in medium-scale tasks, the compactness, fuel efficiency, accuracy and extreme environmental adaptability of XCMG GR135 make it the best choice for rural road hardening, residential restoration and village leveling. It shortens the time (3 days in advance in the case of driveway), reduces fuel costs (8% -10%), and ensures quality (flatness below 3mm) -this is a wise investment for the success of small-scale construction.
