Fleet # –
Year – 1988
Make – Cat
Model – 120G
Body Style – Motor Grader
Serial Number – 87V08870
Odometer Numbers –
Hours – True Hours Unknown
Engine Make/Model – CAT-3304 7.0L Turbocharged 125 Hp
Cyl – 4
Fuel Type – Diesel
Transmission Name – Direct Drive Powershift 6 Speed F/R
Transmission Type – Hydrostatic
Single Axle/Dual Axle – Tandem Axle Single Wheel
Tire Size/Type – 14.00-24
Tire Condition – Good
Plow Size –
Dump Box Size –
Drivetrain – 6×4
GVWR – Operating Weight 25,390Lbs
Does the unit operate? – Yes
Does the vehicle start? – Yes
Are keys available? – Yes
Ownership Information – Bill of Sale Only (No Title)
Mechanical Condition – Fair
Mechanical Notes – Currently one of the tilt wheel cylinders has a seal leak but still operational. Hour gauge does not work.
Body Condition – Good
Body Notes – Solid with average wear, cab glass is intact. It has full hydraulic blade controls. 12' Mold board with side shift. It does not have the side wing tower with no wing or plow. It is equipped with an 11-Tooth spaced front Scarifier
Interior Condition – Fair
Misc Info – View the brochure images for additional information.
The following general information is web-sourced and may contain variances from the subject unit:
1988 Caterpillar 120G Motor Grader is a legendary, heavy-duty earthmoving machine. Belonging to the highly successful "G-Series" produced from the mid-1970s through the mid-1995 era, this specific model year represents the mature, highly reliable pinnacle of mechanical engineering before complex electronics were introduced.
1. The Powertrain: CAT 3304 Engine
The heart of this grader is the Caterpillar 3304 engine, widely regarded as one of the most durable medium-duty diesel engines ever built by Caterpillar.
- Configuration: 7.0-liter (425 to 427 cubic inches), 4-cylinder inline diesel.
- Aspiration: Turbocharged, allowing it to efficiently provide optimal power at higher altitudes without choking.
- Performance: Generates 125 Horsepower. It is known for producing massive low-end torque, essential for maintaining constant blade speed when pushing through heavy soils or packed gravel.
- Reliability: Built with a highly resilient manual sleeve metering fuel system and virtually zero electronic components. This makes it impervious to the electrical glitches common in newer machinery, allowing it to operate continuously in remote, dusty environments.
2. The Drivetrain: Direct Drive Powershift Transmission
The transmission system balances the brute power of the engine with maximum operational precision.
- Type: Direct Drive Powershift. It combines the efficiency and mechanical connection of a manual direct drive with the quick, clutchless shifting of a powershift system.
- Speeds: 6 forward speeds and 6 reverse speeds.
- Top Velocity: Capable of a 25.4 to 25.5 MPH max speed. This high transport speed is ideal for moving between job sites quickly without needing a lowboy trailer for short distances.
3. Core Operational Features & Attachments
The configuration of S/N 87V08870 makes it highly versatile for fine grading, road maintenance, and site preparation.
- Operating Weight: At 25,390 lbs, this machine sits perfectly in the medium weight class, offering enough downward pressure to cut tough surfaces while remaining nimble enough for tight right-of-ways.
- 12-Foot Moldboard (Blade): The standard 12' blade offers excellent coverage for grading standard 2-lane gravel roads, ditch cutting, and slope building. It utilizes Caterpillar's classic mechanical control linkages for precise, reliable blade angling and side-shifting.
- 11-Tooth Front Scarifier: The front-mounted scarifier is designed for fracturing hardpan, asphalt, or heavily compacted soils before the moldboard passes over them. Having 11 teeth provides a tightly spaced, aggressive bite that breaks down material smoothly.
- Frame Steering (Articulation): The 120G features an articulated frame, allowing the front and rear sections to pivot independently. This design provides an extremely sharp turning radius (around 22 feet) and allows the operator to offset the tandem drive wheels from the blade path when cutting ditches or working on soft embankments.
Summary of Value
Because this is a late 1980s machine, it avoids modern diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), diesel particulate filters (DPF), and computer system failures. It is highly sought after by private contractors, farms, and small municipalities because parts are universally available and any heavy equipment mechanic can fix it manually right in the field.
Terms of Sale:
All sales are final. No refunds will be issued. This item is being sold as is, where is, with no warranty, expressed written or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected this item and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this item at the buyer request prior to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the item. Seller is NOT responsible for providing tools or heavy equipment to aid in removal. Items left on seller premises after this removal deadline will revert back to possession of the seller, with no refund.
