Caterpillar 12M2 Motor Grader Specs

Category: Motor Graders ➔
Manufacturer: Caterpillar ➔
Model: 12M2 ➔

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 fine grading, ditching, slope work, and surface finishing on highways, municipal roads, and site development projects. The 12M2 typically features a front-mounted engine, articulated frame, and centrally positioned moldboard for improved visibility and control. It is commonly equipped with advanced hydraulic systems, operator controls, and optional grade control technology. The Caterpillar 12M2 motor grader is used in earthmoving, roadbuilding, and infrastructure maintenance where precision and consistent blade performance are required.

General Specifications

Caterpillar 12M2 Motor Grader General Specifications specifications
Base Power	182.00 hp (135.72 kw) - Starting 2012
Base Power - Net	173.00 hp (129.00 kW) - Starting 2012
Displacement	567.00 cu in (9.30 L) - Starting 2012
Electrical - Std. Alternator	150 amp - Starting 2012
Electrical - Std. Battery CCA @ 0° F	1125 - Starting 2012
Electrical - System Size	24V - Starting 2012
Engine Model	C9.3 ACERT - Starting 2015
Front Axle/Steering - Articulation Angle	20 deg - Starting 2012
Front Axle/Steering - Minimum Turning Radius	298.00 in (7.60 m) - Starting 2012
Front Axle/Steering - Minimum Turning Radius**	298.00 in (7.60 m) - Starting 2018
Front Axle/Steering - Oscillation Angle	32 deg - Starting 2012
Front Axle/Steering - Steering Angle	47.5 deg - Starting 2012
Front Axle/Steering - Wheel Lean Angle	18 deg - Starting 2012
Fuel Tank Capacity	110.00 US gal (416.00 L) - Starting 2012
GENERAL DIMENSIONS - Blade Base	100.50 in (2,552.00 mm) - Starting 2015
GENERAL DIMENSIONS - Height	24.00 in (610.00 mm) - Starting 2012
GENERAL DIMENSIONS - Height (to top of ROPS)	130.20 in (3,308.00 mm) - Starting 2015
GENERAL DIMENSIONS - Lift Above Ground	18.90 in (480.00 mm) - Starting 2012
GENERAL DIMENSIONS - Overal Width (at top of front tires)	100.00 in (2,547.00 mm) - Starting 2012
GENERAL DIMENSIONS - Overall Length	350.90 in (8,912.00 mm) - Starting 2015
GENERAL DIMENSIONS - Overall Width (at top of front tires)	98.90 in (2,511.00 mm) - Starting 2015
GENERAL DIMENSIONS - Standard Blade: Height	24.00 in (610.00 mm) - Starting 2015
GENERAL DIMENSIONS - Standard Blade: Length	144.00 in (3,658.00 mm) - Starting 2012
GENERAL DIMENSIONS - Standard Blade: Thickness	0.87 in (22.00 mm) - Starting 2013
GENERAL DIMENSIONS - Thickness	0.87 in (22.00 mm) - Starting 2012
GENERAL DIMENSIONS - Wheelbase	241.10 in (6,123.00 mm) - Starting 2015
GENERAL DIMENSIONS - With Ripper and Pushplate	399.10 in (10,136.00 mm) - Starting 2015
Hydraulics - Implement Pressure: Max.	3,500.00 psi (24,150.00 kPa) - Starting 2012
Hydraulics - Implement Pressure: Min.	609.00 psi (4,200.00 kPa) - Starting 2015
Hydraulics - Max. Pump Flow	55.70 US gpm (210.00 L/min) - Starting 2012
Hydraulics - Min.	450.00 psi (3,100.00 kPa) - Starting 2012
Hydraulics - Pump Type	Variable Piston - Starting 2012
Hydraulics - Tank Capacity	16.90 US gal (64.00 L) - Starting 2015
Interior Sound Level/SAE J919	71 dB(A - Starting 2012
Max. Shoulder Reach: - Frame Straight - left	70.50 in (1,790.00 mm) - Starting 2012
Max. Shoulder Reach: - Frame Straight - right	77.90 in (1,978.00 mm) - Starting 2012
Max. Shoulder Reach:*** - Frame Straight - Left	70.50 in (1,790.00 mm) - Starting 2018
Max. Shoulder Reach:*** - Frame Straight - Right	77.90 in (1,978.00 mm) - Starting 2018
Max. Torque	839.00 lb-ft (1,138.00 N-m) - Starting 2015
Maximum Net Power with VHP+	243.00 hp (181.21 kw) - Starting 2012
No. Circle Support Shoes	6 - Starting 2012
No. of Cylinders	6 - Starting 2012
No. of Speeds Forward/Reverse	8/6 - Starting 2012
Operating Weight	37,145.00 lbs (16,849.00 kg) - Starting 2013
Operating Weight - Typically Equipped	44,348 lb - Starting 2012
Operating Weight*	37,145.00 lbs (16,849.00 kg) - Starting 2018
Rated Engine RPM	2100 rpm - Starting 2012
Reverse	22.90 mph (36.80 km/h) - Starting 2012
Standard Blade Length	12.00 ft (3.66 m) - Starting 2012
Std. Tires - Front and Rear	14.00R24 (G-2 - Starting 2012
Top Speed: Forward	29.00 mph (46.60 km/h) - Starting 2013
Top Speed: Reverse	22.90 mph (36.80 km/h) - Starting 2013
VHP Plus Range - Net	173.00-223.00 hp (129.00-166.00 kW)

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
Front, V-Type - Scarifier Shank Holder Spacing	18.40 in (46.74 cm)
Front, V-Type - Scarifier Shank Holders	5/11
Front, V-Type - Scarifying Depth, Maximum	40.60 in (103.12 cm)
Front, V-Type - Working Width	47.40 in (120.40 cm)
Front, V-Type, 5 Or 11 Tooth - Scarifier Shank Holder Spacing	4.60 in (11.68 cm)
Front, V-Type, 5 Or 11 Tooth - Scarifier Shank Holders	5/11
Front, V-Type, 5 Or 11 Tooth - Scarifying Depth, Maximum	18.40 in (46.74 cm)
Front, V-Type, 5 Or 11 Tooth - Working Width	40.60 in (103.12 cm)
Mid, V-Type - Scarifier Shank Holder Spacing	4.60 in (11.68 cm)
Mid, V-Type - Scarifier Shank Holders	11
Mid, V-Type - Scarifying Depth, Maximum	11.50 in (29.21 cm)
Mid, V-Type - Working Width	46.60 in (118.36 cm)
Rear - Ripping Depth, Maximum	16.80 in (42.67 cm)
Rear - Scarifier Shank Holder Spacing	10.50 in (26.67 cm)
Rear - Scarifier Shank Holders	9
Rear - Scarifying Depth, Maximum	16.80 in (42.67 cm)
Rear - Working Width	84.00 in (213.36 cm)

Service Refill

Caterpillar 12M2 Motor Grader Service Refill specifications
Circle Drive Housing	1.80 gal (6.81 l)
Cooling System	14.80 gal (56.02 l)
Engine Oil	7.90 gal (29.90 l)
Front Wheel Spindle Bearing Housing	0.20 gal (0.76 l)
Fuel Capacity	110.00 gal (416.35 l)
Hydraulic System - Tank	16.90 gal (63.97 l)
Hydraulic System - Total	26.40 gal (99.92 l)
Tandem Housing - Each	16.90 gal (63.97 l)
Transmission - Differential - Final Drives	17.20 gal (65.10 l)

Standards

Caterpillar 12M2 Motor Grader Standards specifications
Brakes	ISO 3450, ISO 10265
Rops/Fops	ISO 3471/ISO 3499
Sound	ISO 6394; ISO 6395
Steering	ISO 5010

Tandems

Caterpillar 12M2 Motor Grader Tandems specifications
Drive Chain Pitch	2.00 in (5.08 cm)
Height	19.90 in (50.55 cm)
Sidewall Thickness - Inner	0.70 in (1.78 cm)
Sidewall Thickness - Outer	0.80 in (2.03 cm)
Tandem Oscillation - Front Down	25 degrees
Tandem Oscillation - Front Up	15 degrees
Wheel Axle Spacing	60.00 in (152.40 cm)
Width	8.30 in (21.08 cm)

Weights

Caterpillar 12M2 Motor Grader Weights specifications
Gross Vehicle Weight - Base - Front Axle	10,403.00 lbs (4,718.73 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight - Base - Rear Axle	28,930.00 lbs (13,122.44 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight - Base - Total	39,334.00 lbs (17,841.62 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight - Maximum - Front Axle	17,009.00 lbs (7,715.16 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight - Maximum - Rear Axle	37,860.00 lbs (17,173.03 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight - Maximum - Total	54,869.00 lbs (24,888.19 kg)
Operating Weight - Typically Equipped	44,349.00 lbs (20,116.39 kg)
Operating Weight - Typically Equipped - Front Axle	13,040.00 lbs (5,914.85 kg)
Operating Weight - Typically Equipped - Rear Axle	31,309.00 lbs (14,201.54 kg)
Operating Weight - Typically Equipped - Total	44,349.00 lbs (20,116.39 kg)