Caterpillar R1700 Series II
Series: Caterpillar Motor Grader
Not the right version? The data comes from vehicle registers holding many near-identical versions side by side. Photograph the data plate — we read make and type from it. Open the scanner e-mail address required
Caterpillar Motor Graders: What 12, 14, 16 and 24 Actually Mean
Model numbers like 12G, 14M or 24M look cryptic on a Caterpillar grader. Historically the number simply stated the moldboard (blade) width in feet — the original "No. 12" carried a 12-foot blade. That logic faded over the decades as models such as the 140 or 160 arrived without the number matching the blade width anymore.
Read on 4 more paragraphs
The letter after the number marks the generation instead: after older G and H series, the M series arrived in 2007 and was the first to swap the steering wheel and lever bank for joystick controls. A 12M therefore differs from a 12G mainly in operating concept and electronics, not in basic size.
How technically broad the lineup is shows up in engine displacement recorded in the SpecCodex database: from 6,600 to 27,001 cm³, always paired with six-cylinder engines. The smallest 12-class graders run noticeably more compact engines than the 24-class built for mining and large-scale earthworks.
When buying used, hours on the clock, wear on the moldboard and cutting edges, play in the circle, and leak-free blade and steering cylinders all matter — as does testing every joint under load.
Number and letter reveal a Cat grader's size origin and generation, but not the exact spec — only that specific machine's nameplate does.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Caterpillar Motor Grader, — KH Plant: Guide to Caterpillar Motor Grader Models, Old and New, — Wikipedia: Grader (Hintergrund) (Wikipedia)
Technical data
Engine
| Engine model | 3176B ATAACcorrect |
|---|
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 10,440 mmcorrect |
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Drivetrain and chassis
| Tyre size | 26.5X25 32 Ply L5 STMScorrect |
|---|---|
| Top speed | 28.8 km/hcorrect |
Working data
| Fuel tank capacity | 520.1 lcorrect |
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Frequently asked questions
How fast does the Caterpillar R1700 Series II go?
Top speed is 28.8 km/h.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Load the hydraulics and watch for sag.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
We do not sell machines. We ask the dealers who carry this model and come back with price and lead time.
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We ask the suppliers and come back with price and lead time.
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This page carries 5 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
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Other models in this series
Sources: RitchieSpecs equipment specifications (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data
Grader in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.
