For years, CASE fans in the heavy grading world had one complaint: no big iron. The brand had solid graders in the sub-200-horsepower range, but if your job called for something bigger, you had to look elsewhere. That changes now. At CONEXPO 2026, CASE pulled the wraps off the GR Series, three new motor graders, the GR925, GR930, and GR935, built through a fresh partnership with South African manufacturer Bell Equipment. It’s CASE’s official return to the 200-plus horsepower grader class, a spot it walked away from about a decade ago when its old 865 and 885 models were discontinued.
This isn’t a small step back into the segment either. CASE is coming in with three full models spanning 240 to 325 horsepower, aimed squarely at the contractors, municipalities, and government fleets that need serious grading muscle for highway work, snow removal, site prep, and maintenance on big jobs.
Meet the Lineup
The GR925 sits at the entry point of the range, giving smaller contractors and government crews a taste of the extra power without going full flagship. The GR930 steps things up as the mid-range workhorse, built for operations that need more consistent productivity across long shifts. Then there’s the GR935, the big one. At roughly 51,200 pounds and packing a 325-horsepower Cummins Tier 4 Final engine, it’s now the largest motor grader CASE has ever offered in North America. It rides on a 16-foot moldboard, offers optional 6×6 all-wheel drive, and can hit speeds up to 28 mph.
| Feature | GR925 | GR930 | GR935 |
| Horsepower | ~240 hp | ~280 hp | 325 hp |
| Transmission | Powershift/CVT option | CVT | CVT |
| Moldboard | Standard | Extended | 16 ft |
| Drive | 4×4/6×6 options | 6×6 available | 6×6 AWD available |
| Best fit | Municipal, entry-level heavy work | Mid-size contractors, road maintenance | Highway, mining, high-production grading |
What Actually Changed Under the Hood
The standout piece of engineering here is the continuous variable transmission, or CVT, offered on the GR930 and GR935. Instead of the usual stepped powershift gears, the CVT keeps the engine running in its sweet spot continuously, which means smoother power delivery, less wasted fuel, and steadier grading speed, something CASE says came in especially handy during snow removal testing up in Canada, where operators liked how the auto feature kept the machine locked into consistent speed on the road.
Then there’s the durability side. Every GR Series grader gets a Protected Circle, a fully sealed slew bearing system that keeps dirt and debris out of the circle assembly, which means fewer wear issues and tighter grading accuracy over the long haul. Pair that with the optional Blade Impact Absorption System, which cushions the moldboard when it clips a curb, manhole, or buried rock, and you’ve got a grader built to survive rougher jobsites without chewing through parts.
Operators get a choice too: electro-hydraulic joystick controls for precision work, or traditional mechanical controls for crews who’d rather stick with what they know. And for anyone running digital grading workflows, the GR Series comes ready to integrate with Trimble, Topcon, and Leica grade control systems, with CASE also working on a mastless 3D grade control option down the road.
Why the Bell Partnership Matters
Rather than build a big grader platform from scratch, CASE partnered with Bell Equipment, a manufacturer with decades of experience building rugged machines for mining, quarrying, and construction work worldwide. CASE handles exclusive distribution across the U.S. and Canada, while Bell builds the machines. It’s a smart move, it lets CASE plug a long-standing gap in its lineup fast, especially in the government sector, where agencies often need bigger graders for road maintenance and snow programs.
What This Means for the Market
This launch doesn’t replace CASE’s existing D Series graders (the 836D and 856D). It complements them, giving CASE a genuine top-to-bottom lineup for the first time in years. It also puts CASE back in direct competition with Caterpillar, John Deere, and Komatsu in the segment that arguably matters most for big infrastructure and government contracts. Deliveries are expected to start in Q4 2026, so contractors eyeing one of these machines won’t have to wait too much longer.
If the early buzz from CONEXPO is any sign, the GR Series could genuinely shift how contractors and fleet managers think about CASE in the heavy grading world. No longer just a mid-size player, but a brand with real answers at the top of the range, too.
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FAQs
1. When will the CASE GR Series graders be available?
A: First deliveries are expected in Q4 2026, following their CONEXPO debut earlier in the year.
2. What horsepower range do the GR925, GR930, and GR935 cover?
A: The lineup spans 240 to 325 horsepower, with the GR935 as the flagship model.
3. Who builds the new GR Series graders?
A: They are manufactured by Bell Equipment in South Africa, with CASE handling exclusive North American distribution.
4. Does the GR Series replace CASE’s D Series graders?
A: No, it complements the existing 836D and 856D models, giving CASE a full lineup from light to heavy-duty grading.
Tags: CASE GR Series, Motor Grader Performance Tips, Motor Grader Technology 2026
