What is included in a grader 250-hour service?

A 250-hour grader service is a minor service that includes draining and replacing engine oil (typically 15W-40), replacing the engine oil filter, inspecting the air filter element, draining the fuel/water separator, checking coolant and hydraulic oil levels, inspecting the blade/moldboard condition, inspecting the circle and turntable mechanism, checking circle drive gear teeth for wear, greasing the articulation joint, circle drive, turntable, steering ball joints, tie rod ends and lean cylinder pins, checking tyre pressures on all 6 wheels, inspecting tyre condition, inspecting tandem drive cases (oil level and leaks), checking battery and electrical connections, testing lights, horn and reversing alarm, checking seatbelt and ROPS, and checking the scarifier (if fitted). It takes approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours.

How often should a grader be serviced?

Motor graders follow a tiered service schedule based on engine hours. A 250-hour (minor) service covers oil, filters, grease and basic inspections. A 500-hour (intermediate) service adds hydraulic filter replacement, fuel filter replacement, transmission and tandem drive oil checks, steering and brake inspection, circle gear measurement and wheel nut torque. A 1,000-hour (major) service adds hydraulic oil change, coolant flush, tandem drive oil change and more thorough component inspections. Daily pre-start checks are performed by the operator before each shift. Always refer to the manufacturer service manual for your specific make and model.

What oil goes in a grader engine?

Most motor grader engines use 15W-40 diesel engine oil meeting CI-4 or CK-4 specifications. Typical engine oil capacity for a motor grader is 15-25 litres depending on machine size. Some manufacturers specify different grades for extreme cold or hot conditions. Always check the service manual for your specific make, model and operating environment.

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Yes. Download and use the grader 250-hour service procedure for free. Open the file and use your browser's Print, then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account required. If you later want digital service procedures linked to each machine with scheduling by hours, cost tracking and alerts, we would be happy to show you MapTrack.

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Free grader 250-hour service checklist

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A step-by-step 250-hour (minor) service procedure for motor graders. Covers engine oil and filter change, air filter inspection, hydraulic system checks, blade and circle inspection, greasing articulation joint, circle drive, turntable, steering joints and lean cylinder pins, tyre pressure checks, tandem drive inspection, electrical checks and safety device testing. Includes fluid specifications, parts list and technician sign-off. This page explains what the service involves, how to perform it, and offers a free PDF-ready form you can download straight away.

Last updated: 2026-03-26 · MapTrack

Jarrod Milford

Commercial Director

Updated 26 March 2026

How to use: Fill equipment details and hour reading, then work through each service action. Tick Done as each task is completed. Record fluid quantities and part numbers used. Set the next service due hours and sign off.

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What is a grader 250-hour service?

A 250-hour service is the first tier of scheduled preventive maintenance for a motor grader. It is performed every 250 engine hours (or approximately every 4-6 weeks of full-time operation) and is classified as a minor service. The procedure covers engine oil and filter replacement, air filter inspection, fuel system maintenance, hydraulic system checks, blade and circle inspection, greasing all pivot points and joints, tyre pressure and condition checks, tandem drive inspection, electrical system checks and safety device testing. Unlike a daily pre-start check (which confirms the machine is safe to operate), the 250-hour service involves actual maintenance actions: draining and replacing fluids, replacing filters, adjusting components and inspecting wear. It is typically performed by a qualified mechanic or fitter, not the operator.

Benefits of scheduled grader servicing

Reduced breakdowns: regular oil, filter and fluid changes prevent engine, hydraulic and drivetrain failures that cause unplanned downtime on site.
Extended component life: clean oil and correct lubrication reduce wear on engine, hydraulic pump, circle drive, tandem drives and steering components.
Lower repair costs: a 250-hour service costs a fraction of an emergency breakdown repair. Catching issues early prevents cascading damage.
Operator safety: inspecting safety devices, ROPS structure, steering components and tyres at regular intervals reduces the risk of on-site incidents.
Compliance: documented service records demonstrate that equipment is maintained to WHS standards, supporting insurance and regulatory obligations.
Resale value: a complete service history with documented 250, 500 and 1,000-hour services increases the machine's value at trade-in or auction.

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Service actions included in the 250-hour procedure

This service procedure covers 22 service actions across 8 system areas:

Engine: drain and replace engine oil (15W-40), replace oil filter, inspect air filter, drain fuel/water separator, check coolant, inspect fan belts.
Hydraulic system: check hydraulic oil level.
Blade / circle / turntable: inspect blade/moldboard condition, inspect circle and turntable mechanism, check circle drive gear teeth for wear.
Lubrication: grease articulation joint, circle drive and turntable, steering ball joints and tie rod ends, lean cylinder pins.
Tyres / wheels: check tyre pressures all 6 wheels, inspect tyre condition.
Drivetrain: inspect tandem drive cases (oil level, leaks).
Electrical: check battery terminals and charge, test all lights, horn and reversing alarm.
Safety devices: check seatbelt, inspect ROPS structure, check scarifier (if fitted).

Fluid specifications

General fluid specifications for motor graders. Capacities vary by machine size and manufacturer.

System	Type / Grade	Approx. Capacity
Engine oil	15W-40 CI-4 / CK-4	15 - 25 L
Hydraulic oil	ISO VG 46 (AW 46)	80 - 150 L (system)
Coolant	50/50 ethylene glycol	20 - 30 L
Tandem drive oil	Per manufacturer specification	10 - 20 L per case
Transmission oil	Per manufacturer specification	Per manufacturer
Grease	EP2 lithium complex	As required

Specifications are general guidelines. Always refer to the manufacturer's service manual for your specific make and model.

Parts and consumables

Have the following parts and consumables ready before starting the 250-hour service:

Engine oil (15W-40 CI-4/CK-4) - 15-25 litres
Engine oil filter - 1
Fuel/water separator element - 1
EP2 grease cartridges - 4-6
Coolant (pre-mixed or concentrate) - as required for top-up
Rags, drip tray and waste oil container

Look up part numbers in the manufacturer's parts manual for your specific make and model before ordering.

How to perform a grader 250-hour service

Park the grader on level ground, lower the blade to the ground, engage the parking brake and shut down the engine. Allow the engine to cool before draining oil.
Record the equipment details and current hour meter reading at the top of the service procedure form.
Start with the engine section: drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, fill with new oil to the correct level, then inspect the air filter, drain the fuel/water separator and check coolant.
Check hydraulic oil level. Inspect the blade/moldboard for wear and cracks, check the circle and turntable mechanism, and inspect circle drive gear teeth.
Grease all specified points: articulation joint, circle drive and turntable, steering ball joints and tie rod ends, lean cylinder pins. Use EP2 lithium complex grease.
Check tyre pressures on all 6 wheels and inspect tyre condition. Inspect tandem drive cases for oil level and leaks.
Check the battery, test all lights, test the horn and reversing alarm, check the seatbelt, ROPS structure and scarifier (if fitted).
Start the engine and check for leaks, abnormal noises or warning lights. Check the oil pressure gauge and all instrument readings. Record any defects or recommendations in the notes section.
Set the next service due hours (next 250-hour and next 500-hour intervals). Sign off and update the machine's maintenance log.

In MapTrack, you can schedule services based on hour meter readings, get automatic reminders, complete service procedures on mobile and link every record to the machine. Book a demo to see how.

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Grader service interval hierarchy

Grader maintenance follows a tiered schedule where each level includes all tasks from the level below. This is called carry-forward or cumulative servicing.

250 hours - Minor service (you are here)

Engine oil and filter, grease points, fluid levels, blade and circle inspection, tyre checks. Estimated 1.5-2.5 hours.

500 hours - Intermediate service

All 250-hour tasks plus hydraulic filter, fuel filter, air filter replace, transmission and tandem drive checks, steering and brake inspection, circle gear measurement. Estimated 3-4 hours.

1,000 hours - Major service

All 500-hour tasks plus hydraulic oil change, coolant flush, tandem drive oil change, full transmission service. Estimated 6-8 hours.

2,000 hours - Overhaul service

All 1,000-hour tasks plus circle rebuild assessment, hydraulic pump and motor inspection, structural NDT. Typically 2-3 days.

In MapTrack, you can configure service schedules by engine hours and receive automatic alerts when each interval is due.

Frequently asked questions

What is included in a grader 250-hour service?: A 250-hour grader service is a minor service that includes draining and replacing engine oil (typically 15W-40), replacing the engine oil filter, inspecting the air filter element, draining the fuel/water separator, checking coolant and hydraulic oil levels, inspecting the blade/moldboard condition, inspecting the circle and turntable mechanism, checking circle drive gear teeth for wear, greasing the articulation joint, circle drive, turntable, steering ball joints, tie rod ends and lean cylinder pins, checking tyre pressures on all 6 wheels, inspecting tyre condition, inspecting tandem drive cases (oil level and leaks), checking battery and electrical connections, testing lights, horn and reversing alarm, checking seatbelt and ROPS, and checking the scarifier (if fitted). It takes approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
How often should a grader be serviced?: Motor graders follow a tiered service schedule based on engine hours. A 250-hour (minor) service covers oil, filters, grease and basic inspections. A 500-hour (intermediate) service adds hydraulic filter replacement, fuel filter replacement, transmission and tandem drive oil checks, steering and brake inspection, circle gear measurement and wheel nut torque. A 1,000-hour (major) service adds hydraulic oil change, coolant flush, tandem drive oil change and more thorough component inspections. Daily pre-start checks are performed by the operator before each shift. Always refer to the manufacturer service manual for your specific make and model.
What oil goes in a grader engine?: Most motor grader engines use 15W-40 diesel engine oil meeting CI-4 or CK-4 specifications. Typical engine oil capacity for a motor grader is 15-25 litres depending on machine size. Some manufacturers specify different grades for extreme cold or hot conditions. Always check the service manual for your specific make, model and operating environment.
Is the template free to use without MapTrack?: Yes. Download and use the grader 250-hour service procedure for free. Open the file and use your browser's Print, then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account required. If you later want digital service procedures linked to each machine with scheduling by hours, cost tracking and alerts, we would be happy to show you MapTrack.

Need digital service procedures scheduled by engine hours?

Register every grader in MapTrack. Set up 250, 500 and 1,000-hour service schedules, complete procedures on mobile, track parts and costs, and get automatic alerts when the next service is due.

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