A draft frame positioning system of a motor grader having a main frame includes an adjustable draft frame configured to be moved to one of a plurality of positions and a moldboard coupled to the draft frame. The moldboard is movable based on the position of the draft frame. A saddle assembly is coupled between the draft frame and the main frame, and the saddle assembly includes a first saddle arm, a second saddle arm, and a saddle top member coupled between the first and second saddle arms. A saddle positioning cylinder moves between an extended position and a retracted position, and the cylinder is coupled at one end to the main frame or the saddle top member and at an opposite end to the saddle assembly. A movement of the saddle positioning cylinder induces movement of the draft frame to any of its plurality of positions.

A work implement lever is supported by a left console for operating a work implement. A steering control lever is supported by a left console behind the work implement lever for operating a steering mechanism. The steering control lever includes an upper surface and a stick located below the upper surface. The upper surface is pivotable with a center of pivot of the stick being the center, and the upper surface has an arc shape as viewed from a direction in which the center of pivot extends.

Graders and methods of operation thereof. A grader includes a chassis, a saddle linkage, and a motion measurement system. The saddle linkage is supported for movement relative to the chassis and includes a mount movably coupled to the chassis, first and second arms each movably coupled to the mount, and a crossbar movably coupled to each of the first and second arms. The mount has a lock pin aperture, each of the first and second arms has a locking hole, and the crossbar has a plurality of locking holes. The lock pin aperture may be aligned with one locking hole of the first arm, the second arm, or the crossbar to position the saddle linkage in use of the grader. The motion measurement system is coupled to the saddle linkage and configured to measure movement or position of one or more components of the grader in use thereof.

Graders, mount kits for graders, and methods of servicing graders are disclosed herein. A grader includes a chassis and a work implement assembly. The work implement assembly has a draft frame pivotally coupled to the chassis, a circle frame coupled to the draft frame for rotation relative thereto to adjust an angular orientation of a moldboard supported by the circle frame, and a mount kit to pivotally retain the circle frame to the draft frame. The draft frame includes a platform having a first side that faces the moldboard, a second side arranged opposite the first side that faces away from the moldboard, and an opening extending through the first and second sides. The circle frame is arranged in confronting relation to the first side of the platform.

A work vehicle includes a rear frame, a front frame rotatably attached to the rear frame, a work implement attached to the front frame, a motor disposed on the front frame, a differential device connected to the motor, and a drive shaft connected to the differential device. The motor is disposed in front of the work implement.

A control system for a work vehicle having a work implement, the control system including: a position measurement unit for measuring a position of a windrow produced by grading work; a work route setting unit for setting a work route based on the position of the windrow that has been measured by the position measurement unit; and a travel control unit for controlling the work vehicle to travel along the work route that has been set by the work route setting unit.

A work implement of a motor grader in which a blade can readily be replaced includes a shift cylinder assembly and a blade. The shift cylinder assembly includes a blade shift cylinder and a rail which carries out reciprocating motion with extending and retracting of the blade shift cylinder. The blade is removably attached to the shift cylinder assembly. The blade includes a hook and the shift cylinder assembly includes a hook reception portion. The hook is hooked on the hook reception portion.

A work vehicle comprising a material management system using moldboard gates. A sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a ground feature and a location of the ground feature. A moldboard is coupled to the work vehicle and is configured to move a ground material. A gate is coupled to the moldboard and a gate actuator is coupled to the gate. The gate actuator is configured to move the gate to an open position, a closed position, or to a position in between. A controller which is in communication with the sensor is configured to receive the signal indicative of the ground feature and the location and control the gate actuator to move the gate based on the ground feature and the location.

A motor grader having ride control for dampening machine bounce using a DCM assembly rotatably coupled to and suspended from a frame of the motor grader is disclosed. Each lift cylinder for the DCM may have an associated ride control circuit with an accumulator, a ride control conduit fluidly connected to a carry end of the lift cylinder and having a flow restriction element, and a ride control accumulator valve fluidly connected to the accumulator and the ride control conduit and operable to either block or allow fluid communication between the carry end and the accumulator through the flow restriction element. Each rid control circuit may also include a head end valve fluidly connected to between the head end of the lift cylinder and a low pressure fluid reservoir and operable to block or allow fluid communication between the head end and the low pressure fluid reservoir.

A grading machine includes a machine body, a grading blade supported by a circle, a drawbar connecting the grading blade and the circle to the machine body, and a circle drive system. The circle drive system includes a circle drive motor with a motor shaft, a gear box, a gear coupling, and a braking mechanism. The gear box is configured to engage with and rotate the circle relative to the drawbar around a circle axis. The braking mechanism is positioned between the circle drive motor and the gear coupling and is configured to selectively engage the motor shaft.