The Caterpillar 12M3 AWD is a motor grader designed for road construction, maintenance, and site preparation. It features all-wheel drive for improved traction and control in soft ground, steep grades, and variable surface conditions. The 12M3 platform is known for precise blade control, operator visibility, and support for grading, ditching, and material spreading tasks. As part of Caterpillar's motor grader lineup, the 12M3 AWD is used in municipal, mining, and infrastructure applications where consistent finish grading and maneuverability are required. It is commonly selected for work that demands stability, traction, and accurate grading performance.
Blade Range
Caterpillar 12M3 AWD 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)
Dimensions
Caterpillar 12M3 AWD Motor Grader Dimensions specifications
Ground Clearance - Rear Axle
13.30 in (33.78 cm)
Height - Exhaust Stack
128.00 in (325.12 cm)
Height - Front Axle Center
23.50 in (59.69 cm)
Height - Top Of Cab
10.84 ft (3.30 m)
Height - Top Of Cylinders
120.00 in (304.80 cm)
Length - Between Tandem Axles
60.00 in (152.40 cm)
Length - Counterweight To Ripper
399.00 in (1,013.46 cm)
Length - Front Axle To Mid Tandem
241.00 in (612.14 cm)
Length - Front Axle To Moldboard
100.00 in (254.00 cm)
Length - Front Tire To Rear Of Machine
351.00 in (891.54 cm)
Width - Outside Front Tires
98.90 in (251.21 cm)
Width - Outside Rear Tires
98.90 in (251.21 cm)
Width - Tire Center Lines
84.30 in (214.12 cm)
Engine
Caterpillar 12M3 AWD Motor Grader Engine specifications
Awd Off: Gear - Net Power - Forward - 1st
189.00 hp (140.94 kw)
Awd Off: Gear - Net Power - Forward - 2nd
200.00 hp (149.14 kw)
Awd Off: Gear - Net Power - Forward - 3rd
210.00 hp (156.60 kw)
Awd Off: Gear - Net Power - Forward - 4th
215.00 hp (160.33 kw)
Awd Off: Gear - Net Power - Forward - 5th
220.00 hp (164.06 kw)
Awd Off: Gear - Net Power - Forward - 6th
225.00 hp (167.79 kw)
Awd Off: Gear - Net Power - Forward - 7th
231.00 hp (172.26 kw)
Awd Off: Gear - Net Power - Forward - 8th
231.00 hp (172.26 kw)
Awd Off: Gear - Net Power - Reverse - 1st
179.00 hp (133.48 kw)
Awd Off: Gear - Net Power - Reverse - 2nd
189.00 hp (140.94 kw)
Awd Off: Gear - Net Power - Reverse - 3rd-6th
200.00 hp (149.14 kw)
Awd On: Gear - Net Power - Forward - 1st
200.00 hp (149.14 kw)
Awd On: Gear - Net Power - Forward - 2nd
220.00 hp (164.06 kw)
Awd On: Gear - Net Power - Forward - 3rd
225.00 hp (167.79 kw)
Awd On: Gear - Net Power - Forward - 4th
231.00 hp (172.26 kw)
Awd On: Gear - Net Power - Forward - 5th
252.00 hp (187.92 kw)
Awd On: Gear - Net Power - Forward - 6th
252.00 hp (187.92 kw)
Awd On: Gear - Net Power - Forward - 7th
252.00 hp (187.92 kw)
Awd On: Gear - Net Power - Forward - 8th
252.00 hp (187.92 kw)
Awd On: Gear - Net Power - Reverse - 1st
179.00 hp (133.48 kw)
Awd On: Gear - Net Power - Reverse - 2nd
189.00 hp (140.94 kw)
Awd On: Gear - Net Power - Reverse - 3rd-6th
200.00 hp (149.14 kw)
Awd Range - Net
141-188 kW (189-252 hp)
Awd Range - Net - Metric
141-188 kW (192-255 hp)
Base Power (1st Gear) - Net
179.00 hp (133.48 kw)
Base Power (1st Gear) - Net - Metric
181.00 hp (134.97 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. EPA Tier 4 Final/EU Stage IV
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 - Awd On
920.00 lbs ft (1,247.34 nm)
Maximum Torque - Vhp Plus
840.00 lbs ft (1,138.87 nm)
Number Of Cylinders
6
Speed At Rated Power
2,000 rpm
Standard Capability
109 degrees
Stroke
5.90 in (14.99 cm)
Torque Rise
38 %
Vhp Plus - Gear - Net Power - Forward 1st
179.00 hp (133.48 kw)
Vhp Plus - Gear - Net Power - Forward 2nd
189.00 hp (140.94 kw)
Vhp Plus - Gear - Net Power - Forward 3rd
200.00 hp (149.14 kw)
Vhp Plus - Gear - Net Power - Forward 4th
210.00 hp (156.60 kw)
Vhp Plus - Gear - Net Power - Forward 5th
215.00 hp (160.33 kw)
Vhp Plus - Gear - Net Power - Forward 6th
220.00 hp (164.06 kw)
Vhp Plus - Gear - Net Power - Forward 7th
225.00 hp (167.79 kw)
Vhp Plus - Gear - Net Power - Forward 8th
231.00 hp (172.26 kw)
Vhp Plus - Gear - Net Power - Reverse 1st
179.00 hp (133.48 kw)
Vhp Plus - Gear - Net Power - Reverse 2nd
189.00 hp (140.94 kw)
Vhp Plus - Gear - Net Power - Reverse 3rd-6th
200.00 hp (149.14 kw)
Vhp Plus Range - Net
133-172 kW (179-231 hp)
Vhp Plus Range - Net - Metric
133-172 kW (181-234 hp)
Frame
Caterpillar 12M3 AWD Motor Grader Frame specifications
Circle - Blade Beam Thickness
1.60 in (4.06 cm)
Circle - Diameter
60.20 in (152.91 cm)
Circle - Height
5.40 in (13.72 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
23.50 in (59.69 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
1.00 ft (0.30 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 12M3 AWD 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
16.90 gal (63.97 l)
Standby Pressure
885 psi
Moldboard
Caterpillar 12M3 AWD Motor Grader Moldboard specifications
Arc Radius
16.30 in (41.40 cm)
Blade Down Pressure - Base Gvw - Awd
17,970.00 lbs (8,151.07 kg)
Blade Down Pressure - Maximum Gvw - Awd
29,309.00 lbs (13,294.36 kg)
Blade Pull - Base Gvw - Awd
35,649.00 lbs (16,170.13 kg)
Blade Pull - Maximum Gvw - Awd
49,630.00 lbs (22,511.82 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 - Blade Width
12.00 ft (3.66 m)
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 12M3 AWD 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
23.00 mph (37.01 kph)
Steering Range - Left/Right
50 degrees
Top Speed - Forward
29.00 mph (46.67 kph)
Top Speed - Reverse
23.00 mph (37.01 kph)
Turning Radius - Outside Front Tires
25.60 ft (7.80 m)
Power Train
Caterpillar 12M3 AWD 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 Forward/6 Reverse
Transmission
APECS, Direct Drive, Powershift
Ripper
Caterpillar 12M3 AWD Motor Grader Ripper specifications
Machine Length Increase, Beam Raised
40.60 in (103.12 cm)
Penetration Force
20,812.00 lbs (9,440.18 kg)
Pry-Out Force
27,794.00 lbs (12,607.16 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 12M3 AWD Motor Grader Scarifier specifications
