The Caterpillar 12M2 is a motor grader designed for road construction, maintenance, and grading applications. It is part of Caterpillar's M Series lineup and is used for shaping surfaces, fine grading, ditching, and snow removal. The 12M2 features a front-mounted engine, articulated frame, and centrally located cab for improved visibility and control. It is commonly equipped with a moldboard, ripper, and other attachments for versatile site work. The machine is used by contractors, municipalities, and mining operations where precise blade control and reliable performance are required. The Caterpillar 12M2 is recognized for its grading capability, operator comfort, and service access.
Blade Range
Caterpillar 12M2 Motor Grader Blade Range specifications
Blade Tip Range - Backward
5 degrees
Blade Tip Range - Forward
40 degrees
Circle Centershift - Left
27.40 in (69.60 cm)
Circle Centershift - Right
28.70 in (72.90 cm)
Maximum Blade Position Angle
90 degrees
Maximum Depth Of Cut
28.10 in (71.37 cm)
Maximum Lift Above Ground
18.90 in (48.01 cm)
Maximum Shoulder Reach Outside Of Tires - Left
70.50 in (179.07 cm)
Maximum Shoulder Reach Outside Of Tires - Right
77.90 in (197.87 cm)
Moldboard Sideshift - Left
20.10 in (51.05 cm)
Moldboard Sideshift - Right
26.00 in (66.04 cm)
Engine
Caterpillar 12M2 Motor Grader Engine specifications
Awd Range - Net
136-181 kW (183-243 hp)
Awd Range - Net - Metric
136-181 kW (186-246 hp)
Base Power (1st Gear) - Net
173.00 hp (129.01 kw)
Base Power (1st Gear) - Net - Metric
176.00 hp (131.25 kw)
Base Power (All Gears) - Net
173.00 hp (129.01 kw)
Bore
4.50 in (11.43 cm)
Derating Altitude
10,000.00 ft (3,048.00 m)
Displacement
567.50 cu in (9,299.68 cu cm)
Emissions
U.S. Tier 4 Interim/EU Stage IIIB
Engine Model
Cat C9.3 ACERT
High - Ambient Capability
122 degrees
High Ambient - Fan Speed - Maximum
1,550 rpm
High Ambient - Fan Speed - Minimum
500 rpm
High Ambient - Fan Speed - Standard
1,400 rpm
Maximum Torque
839.00 lbs ft (1,137.52 nm)
Number Of Cylinders
6
Speed At Rated Power
2,100 rpm
Standard Capability
109 degrees
Stroke
5.90 in (14.99 cm)
Torque Rise
50 %
Vhp Plus - Gear 1f, Net
173.00 hp (129.01 kw)
Vhp Plus - Gear 2f, Net
183.00 hp (136.47 kw)
Vhp Plus - Gear 3f, Net
193.00 hp (143.92 kw)
Vhp Plus - Gear 4f, Net
203.00 hp (151.38 kw)
Vhp Plus - Gear 5f, Net
208.00 hp (155.11 kw)
Vhp Plus - Gear 6f, Net
213.00 hp (158.84 kw)
Vhp Plus - Gear 7f, Net
218.00 hp (162.57 kw)
Vhp Plus - Gear 8f, Net
223.00 hp (166.29 kw)
Vhp Plus Range - Net
129-166 kW (173-223 hp)
Vhp Plus Range - Net - Metric
129-166 kW (176-226 hp)
Frame
Caterpillar 12M2 Motor Grader Frame specifications
Circle - Blade Beam Thickness
1.60 in (4.06 cm)
Circle - Diameter
60.20 in (152.91 cm)
Drawbar - Height
6.00 in (15.24 cm)
Drawbar - Thickness
0.50 in (1.27 cm)
Drawbar - Width
3.00 in (7.62 cm)
Front Axle - Height To Center
23.60 in (59.94 cm)
Front Axle - Total Oscillation Per Side
32 degrees
Front Axle - Wheel Lean - Left/Right
18 degrees
Front Frame Structure - Height
1.10 ft (0.34 m)
Front Frame Structure - Width
0.90 ft (0.27 m)
Front-Top/Bottom Plate - Thickness
0.90 in (2.29 cm)
Front-Top/Bottom Plate - Width
12.00 in (30.48 cm)
Hydraulic System
Caterpillar 12M2 Motor Grader Hydraulic System specifications
Circuit Type
Parallel
Maximum System Pressure
3500 psi
Pump Output
55.70 gpm (210.82 lpm)
Pump Type
Variable Piston
Reservoir Tank Capacity
15.90 gal (60.18 l)
Standby Pressure
609 psi
Moldboard
Caterpillar 12M2 Motor Grader Moldboard specifications
Arc Radius
16.30 in (41.40 cm)
Blade Down Pressure - Base Gvw - Awd
17,857.00 lbs (8,099.81 kg)
Blade Down Pressure - Maximum Gvw - Awd
29,196.00 lbs (13,243.10 kg)
Blade Pull - Base Gvw - Awd
35,439.00 lbs (16,074.88 kg)
Blade Pull - Maximum Gvw - Awd
49,381.00 lbs (22,398.87 kg)
Blade Width
12.00 ft (3.66 m)
Cutting Edge Thickness
0.60 in (1.52 cm)
Cutting Edge Width
6.00 in (15.24 cm)
End Bit - Thickness
0.60 in (1.52 cm)
End Bit - Width
6.00 in (15.24 cm)
Moldboard - Height
24.00 in (60.96 cm)
Moldboard - Thickness
0.90 in (2.29 cm)
Throat Clearance
6.50 in (16.51 cm)
Operating Specifications
Caterpillar 12M2 Motor Grader Operating Specifications specifications
Articulation Angle - Left/Right
20 degrees
Forward - 1st
2.50 mph (4.02 kph)
Forward - 2nd
3.40 mph (5.47 kph)
Forward - 3rd
5.00 mph (8.05 kph)
Forward - 4th
6.90 mph (11.10 kph)
Forward - 5th
10.60 mph (17.06 kph)
Forward - 6th
14.50 mph (23.34 kph)
Forward - 7th
19.90 mph (32.03 kph)
Forward - 8th
29.00 mph (46.67 kph)
Reverse - 1st
2.00 mph (3.22 kph)
Reverse - 2nd
3.70 mph (5.95 kph)
Reverse - 3rd
5.40 mph (8.69 kph)
Reverse - 4th
8.40 mph (13.52 kph)
Reverse - 5th
15.70 mph (25.27 kph)
Reverse - 6th
22.90 mph (36.85 kph)
Steering Range - Left/Right
47.5 degrees
Top Speed - Forward
29.00 mph (46.67 kph)
Top Speed - Reverse
22.90 mph (36.85 kph)
Turning Radius - Outside Front Tires
24.90 ft (7.59 m)
Power Train
Caterpillar 12M2 Motor Grader Power Train specifications
Brakes - Parking
Multiple Oil Disc
Brakes - Secondary
Dual Circuit
Brakes - Service
Multiple Oil Disc
Brakes - Service - Surface Area
3565 in2
Forward/Reverse Gears
8 Fwd/6 Rev
Transmission
Direct Drive, Powershift
Ripper
Caterpillar 12M2 Motor Grader Ripper specifications
Machine Length Increase, Beam Raised
40.60 in (103.12 cm)
Penetration Force
20,693.00 lbs (9,386.20 kg)
Pry-Out Force
27,655.00 lbs (12,544.11 kg)
Ripper Shank Holder Spacing
21.00 in (53.34 cm)
Ripper Shank Holders
5
Ripping Depth - Maximum
16.80 in (42.67 cm)
Scarifier
Caterpillar 12M2 Motor Grader Scarifier specifications
