Heres the deal with the M graders in my opinion: I've spent just over 500 hours on a 12M. I first learned to operate a grader like every one else with the traditional pattern. I loved the levers from day one, never a complaint. I finally got the 12M and was very excited. Brand new grader, how many times does one get this opportunity? Its a really "neat" machine. The first time in it is memorable. Lots of buttons and screens. HOWEVER, I hate to say it but I've been rather disappointed with Caterpillar's machine. And i'm a cat guy...all the way. lets see, i'm still waiting on cat to come correct the joystick steering alignment. Its 9 deg. to the left of center. The pedals are just not smooth like a G or H model. Inching is much more difficult. I've about got it now but its taken a long time. Almost like starting over with a grader. The engine and transmission are computer regulated. Theres a delay for the computer to "think" through whether its ok to go between 1st and 2nd gear. Sooo irritating running 12-14 hours a day. Between certain gears it will NOT shift smooth. The engine also doesn't have near the lugging power of the older larger displacement engines. It took a very short time to learn the controls but thats always the easy part anyway. With the joysticks you can move more functions at the same time but it can be difficult to, for example, twist for the circle and not push or pull for the lift cylinder. My point is that it's easy to unintentionally move the blade or tractor. The lift cylinder speed is not what it should be. Its no problem lift or lower the blade a lot, but to move it just a little, takes a lot of practice. On a H grader, no prob, just leak that valve a little for a 1/8 inch. On an M, if you wobble that joystick it'll go down 2 inches.
I hate to talk about my new tractor so bad, but I really expected better performance from cat. Its comfortable, visibility is great, more horsepower, but all the electronic stuff isn't better than the older ones. I wish I had my old 140H back now. I guess they just worked too well too long.