Leeboy 685 Grader: 9 Questions Every Contractor Asks Before Buying

What I Learned Coordinating Grader Purchases for Our Crew

When you're the person who has to make sure the equipment actually shows up—and that the parts inventory doesn't cause a shutdown—you learn to ask the right questions fast. I've been handling equipment orders for our mid-sized paving crew since 2020. Roughly $200K annually across a handful of vendors. The Leeboy 685 grader came up a few times, and after fielding maybe a dozen internal inquiries about it, here's what our team actually wanted to know.

Honestly, I'm not an operator. I'm the person who sits between the operations team and the finance department. So this FAQ is filtered through that lens: what does a buyer or coordinator need to know to keep everyone happy?

1. What exactly is the Leeboy 685 grader?

The Leeboy 685 is a motor grader designed primarily for grading and finishing work on smaller to mid-sized job sites. It's not a massive highway-building machine. Think of it as a compact, maneuverable grader that fits into tighter spaces—subdivisions, parking lots, site prep for smaller commercial projects. It's often compared to a mini grader or small grader category, but Leeboy markets it as a production-grade machine in a smaller footprint.

My experience is based on coordinating orders for about 10 machines over 4 years, mostly in the sub-200 HP range. If you're working with 30-ton behemoths, your experience might differ significantly.

Key specs I've seen in our paperwork (always verify with your dealer, obviously):

• Engine: Typically diesel, around 100-130 HP range depending on year
• Weight: Ballpark 15,000-18,000 lbs (operating weight varies with options)
• Blade width: Usually 10-12 feet
• Articulated frame: Yes, which helps with maneuverability

2. Is the Leeboy 685 grader good for fine grading?

That's the question I hear most. Short answer: yes, that's what it's built for. The 685 has a reputation for precise blade control. Our operators said it holds grade well, especially compared to older equipment they had. The hydraulic system is responsive.

One thing I learned the hard way: fine grading is as much about the operator as the machine. We had a new guy on the 685 for a parking lot job. He blamed the grader for not holding grade. Turns out the blade pins were worn—$80 in parts, not a machine defect.

Bottom line: the 685 is capable. But like any tool, it needs to be set up right and operated by someone who knows what they're doing.

3. Where can I find a Leeboy 685 parts diagram?

This comes up constantly. When a part breaks, the last thing you want is to hunt for a diagram. For the Leeboy 685, the best place to start is Leeboy's official parts portal or your local Leeboy dealer. They have online parts catalogs (parts diagrams) that are searchable by model and serial number.

I maintain a folder of PDFs for our most-used models. The 685 diagram is a common request. Note that diagrams vary by year and serial number prefix. A 2019 model might have a different hydraulic layout than a 2023 model.

Tip: Always cross-reference the part number on the diagram with the physical part. We once ordered a blade cylinder based on the diagram, but the diagram was from an earlier revision. Had to eat the return shipping (ugh).

4. What's the Leeboy 685 grader parts availability like?

Generally good for common wear items: blades, filters, hydraulic hoses, pins, bushings. For major components like transmissions or axles, lead times can vary. My experience has been that most standard maintenance parts are stocked by dealers.

I keep a list of essential parts numbers for the 685:

• Blade cutting edge: Standard sizes available through most heavy equipment parts suppliers
• Hydraulic filter: Leeboy part numbers, but cross-references are available
• Circle gear and pinion: These can be harder to find. Order early.

Our dealer is pretty responsive, but I've learned to always call before relying on online inventory counts. Not sure why, but online stock numbers for heavy equipment parts are notoriously unreliable.

5. Is the Leeboy 685 grader suitable for a small contractor?

This depends on what you mean by 'small.' If you're a 1-2 person crew doing residential driveways and small site work, a grader might be overkill in terms of investment and maintenance cost. But if you're doing enough grading to justify the payment and upkeep, the 685 has a good reputation for being manageable.

From a purchasing perspective, the used market is active. I've seen 685s listed between $40,000 and $90,000 depending on age, hours, and condition. Financing is available through most construction equipment lenders, but rates have been climbing since 2023.

Honestly, I'm not sure why some contractors hesitate on the 685 and go for bigger used graders instead. My best guess is it comes down to perceived value for the size class. The 685 isn't cheap for its size, but it's built to a standard, not a price point.

6. What about the Leeboy 1000 parts diagram?

The Leeboy 1000 is a larger model—more HP, heavier, bigger blade. The parts diagram for the 1000 is more complex. More hydraulic lines, more components. If you're cross-shopping the 685 and 1000, check whether the size and capacity difference justifies the cost jump.

I don't have as much direct experience with the 1000. We only have one, and it's used for heavier grading work. The 685 handles the majority of our finishing work.

7. What operating tips should I know for the Leeboy 685?

Our most senior operator shared these tips (paraphrased, based on what I overheard):

• Don't overload the blade for deep cuts. The 685 has good power for its size, but it's not a dozer. Multiple light passes are faster than one heavy pass that stalls the engine.
• Check the circle shoe condition. Worn circle shoes cause slop in the blade—makes fine grading impossible.
• Use the articulation for offset grading. The 685 articulates well. On slopes or tight areas, that articulation is your friend.

I actually took notes after that conversation (mental note: document these more formally for new hires).

8. What should I ask a dealer before buying a Leeboy 685?

When I was coordinating a potential purchase last year, I made a checklist (note to self: I really should write that up as a proper guide):

• What's the warranty terms? Parts? Labor? Powertrain?
• Are service manuals included? (They should be, but always confirm)
• What's the dealer support like for parts? Stocking levels? Lead times?
• What's the machine history if used? (Hours, maintenance records, any major repairs)
• Does it have any outstanding recalls or service bulletins?

One thing I didn't ask on our first used purchase: 'Can I see the maintenance log?' The seller looked uncomfortable. That should have been a red flag.

9. Is there anything else I should know about the Leeboy 685?

One thing that surprised me: the operator environment is actually decent for a compact grader. Cab options are available, and visibility is good compared to some older designs.

Also, and this is probably obvious to operators but not to buyers: the Leeboy 685 uses a standard 6-way blade. If you need a power tilt or other specialized features, check if the machine you're looking at has them installed.

If you've got more specific questions, I'd recommend talking to a dealer. They know their current inventory and lead times better than anyone. I can only share what I've seen on our end—and hope it helps someone avoid a few of the headaches I've run into.