Anyone's take on Champ C66 / Volvo G66?

[Chopper95]

Full disclaimer, I am not a blade man by any stretch of the imagination. Have ran a few now and again, but never get any significant seat time in them. So excuse any extreme arrogance that may follow...

I have poked around the boards looking for any info on the Champion C60 / 66 or Volvo G60 / 66 compact graders, but have come up a little short handed.

I'm a small dirt work / forestry contractor and would love to add a machine this size to the business … if I can even find one

My understanding is that Champion is no more, or may have morphed into just producing for LeeBoy? But not the 4 wheel line, just the 6 wheelers. Volvo only carried the G60/66 for around 4 years in the early 2000s as well, so not a pile of them floating around.

Does anyone have experience running these particular models, or their closest counterparts in size? If I did find one, am I shooting myself in the foot for replacement parts and servicing in the future?

I would prefer to stick with a 4 wheeler for simplicity and size, but I'm not aware of any other models on the market in this sort of configuration besides the old Austin Westerns, which are obviously much larger. I know there's another one out there with a goofy bucket off the front end...

Is the only realistic option now a LeeBoy or comparable sized 6 wheel machine?

Cheers for any info, it is appreciated.

 

[crane operator]

Here's a good thread on small graders:

https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/smallest-grader-that-still-does-decent-work.77003/

I know that there are guys doing similar work (small parking lots etc.) with track loader blade attachments. CM1995 runs one and he seems to like it a lot.

https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/threads/a-few-projects-i-have-done-recently.27942/page-79

 

[funwithfuel]

Volvo should have never acquired Champion's grader line. They looted the company for all the best personnel and never gave it the full support it deserved. They were very good products. Had some shortcomings. The problem is nobody is supporting them properly. Champion's remnants have washed their hands of them and Volvo never really had the support in the first place.
I'm not saying that there aren't knowledgeable techs out there, it's parts. Some things are just hard to find or impossible.
As recently as 3-4 years ago, I tried to take care of a customer with a champion 4 wheeler. Champion was not available and Volvo was no help. It just wasn't there. I would not purchase either if I found one. I never say this , but maybe Deere or CAT would serve you better.

 

[Chopper95]

I did happen to see that forum beforehand and read my way through it. Some good information and references for sure on the smaller machines.

I've ran the skid graders a little and know a number of other operators who have as well; they're not popular by any means in my part of the world. Our ground is usually too tough for them to cut effectively or efficiently. Always seemed like getting enough weight / downward pressure on the blade was the issue for native ground.
They're great for spreading loose fill, small rock and sand, but that's about it.

It definitely seems like Champion got the short end of the stick with the whole Volvo deal ... and you hit the nail on the head in regards to support / parts. It just isn't there from what I've gathered. Even a few years ago when Champion was still in business, it seems like parts availability was a problem on some items, as you mentioned as well.

Gut feeling is even if I found one within a realistic price, it would probably be smart to stay away from it just due to support issues. I'm generally not a huge fan of Volvo machines, and especially our local dealer...

 

[brianbulldozer]

Don’t know much about them, but there is also the Cat/Royal 80 four wheel motor grader. I believe they use the rear half of a 910 loader for drive train.

 

[cuttin edge]

Don't count out the goofy looking thingy with the bucket on the front. The Mauldin model has plenty of power and I do anything from private driveways, parking lots and streets. She'll go with a full blade, cut like crazy, and load a tandem truck. Been running these for 18 years or more. The latest version by Mauldin is the best yet. Obviously not going to compete with a production class machine, but it earns me a pay every week

 

[Chopper95]

I did come across that Royal … probably something I would consider given the availability of parts and service for Cat based machine

Are those Royals a true 4x4 machine or just pusher in the rear? Whats the easiest way to identify a powered front grader?

I'll have to take a closer look at the Mauldin. The front bucket was a bit of a turn off at first glance...I understand versatility, but with so many obscure cheaper Chinese looking machines on the market, it struck me as something in that category.

 

[cuttin edge]

I did come across that Royal … probably something I would consider given the availability of parts and service for Cat based machine

Are those Royals a true 4x4 machine or just pusher in the rear? Whats the easiest way to identify a powered front grader?

I'll have to take a closer look at the Mauldin. The front bucket was a bit of a turn off at first glance...I understand versatility, but with so many obscure cheaper Chinese looking machines on the market, it struck me as something in that category.

well I am in Canada, but Mauldin is made in the USA