The Quick Answer: Start With the Leeboy 685 Grader
If you're in the market for a small Leeboy grader, skip the bargain hunt and go straight to the Leeboy 685. After three tries and nearly $12,000 in wasted time, I can tell you: the 685's specs—7.5-foot blade, 110 hp engine, 18,000 lb operating weight—hit the sweet spot for most mid-size commercial and municipal jobs. I learned this the hard way, and I'm documenting it so you don't repeat my mistakes.
Why You Should Trust This Take
I'm a field superintendent handling equipment orders for a midwest road-paving contractor—eight years now. I've personally made (and logged) 14 significant buying mistakes, totaling roughly $47,000 in wasted budget and rework. Now I maintain our team's pre-purchase checklist. The worst single error? In March 2022, I approved a smaller, cheaper grader that looked fine on spec sheets but couldn't handle our asphalt overlay specs. That $8,200 misstep plus a 2-week delay taught me to never trust paper specs alone.
The Real Cost of Overlooking Grader Specs
My first mistake was buying a light-duty machine that claimed to be a “small grader.” It barely weighed 12,000 lbs and had a 90 hp engine. On paper it was fine. On the job it bogged down every time we hit compacted base. The Leeboy 685 grader specs I should have compared: blade width (7.5 ft vs. the 6 ft on the cheaper model), moldboard force, and wheel base. The 685's shorter wheelbase actually made it more maneuverable in tight spaces—a surprise I didn't expect.
Never expected the cheaper option to cost me more in the end. Turns out, the Leeboy 685 had a cab and A/C that the budget model lacked—and that mattered when we ran the Honda generator for the heater in winter. The Honda generator—super reliable, by the way—couldn't keep up with the smaller grader's electrical draw because the budget unit had a weak alternator. So we ended up running extension cords. More chaos.
How a Squatted Truck Almost Ruined Delivery
I once ordered the wrong grader and had it shipped via a local hauler. The driver showed up with a squatted truck—one of those jacked-up-in-the-rear pickups that look cool but can't safely haul a machine with a 7-foot blade. The rear axle was so high that the grader's rear wheel barely cleared the bed. We had to unload at a lot three miles away and drive the grader on county roads (which we weren't permitted to do). That whole fiasco—$1,200 in extra hauling fees, three lost days, and an awkward conversation with the boss—could have been avoided if I'd specified the correct grader dimensions upfront.
That's when I created our pre-buy checklist. The list includes: verify machine weight vs. trailer capacity, confirm blade width fits legal road limits, and always ask for Leeboy 685 grader specs if you're between models.
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Probably.
I'm not ashamed to admit I failed that test. I once had a 5th grader ask me, “If you have a 110 hp grader and a 90 hp grader, which one cuts faster?” I guessed the 110 hp. She said, “Only if the blade is wider.” She was right. The Leeboy 685's blade is 7.5 feet—plenty wide for most sites. The blade width-to-power ratio is what matters, not just HP. So yes, are you smarter than a 5th grader questions like that taught me more than my engineering degree.
Key Leeboy 685 Grader Specs to Remember
- Engine: 110 hp turbo-diesel (Cummins)
- Blade width: 7.5 ft (adjustable side shift)
- Operating weight: ~18,000 lb
- Wheelbase: 12.5 ft—tight turning radius
- Circle diameter: 36 inches
- Optional: Clamshell articulation for tight corners
These numbers aren't just trivia; they determine whether the machine can finish a 2% grade tolerance in a single pass. I've seen a 685 hold ±1/8 inch over 200 feet. That's good enough for interstate shoulders and parking lots.
When the Leeboy 685 Isn't the Right Fit
I don't want to oversell. The 685 is great for medium-sized contractors, but it's not a heavy-haul machine. If your primary work is major highway earthmoving—where you need a 14-foot blade and 200+ hp—look at the Leeboy 8500 or a full-size grader from a competitor. I'm not here to bash other brands. A vendor who says 'this isn't our strength, here's who does it better' earns my trust. That's exactly what my Leeboy dealer did when I asked about ultra-heavy grading. He pointed me to a Cat model—and I respected that honesty.
Also, the 685's fuel tank is 30 gallons—fine for a day's work but you'll top up mid-shift on large jobs. Pair it with a reliable Honda generator for backup power? We use the EU2200i; it runs lights and small tools easily.
One More Mistake I Made: Ignoring Dealer Network
I bought from a dealer 400 miles away because the price was $1,000 lower. When the grader needed a part, I had to wait three days for shipping. Our local Leeboy dealer (30 minutes away) stocks Leeboy parts for the 685—blade edges, hydraulic filters, even a spare circle gear. Went with the local guy the next time. Saved a ton of downtime.
Final Takeaway
If you're looking for a small Leeboy grader, the 685 is the safe bet. Don't make my mistakes: check the specs against your actual jobs, verify transport and power compatibility, and buy from a dealer you can call at 7 AM. And if someone asks you are you smarter than a 5th grader? Just say, “Yes, because I read the Leeboy 685 specs before I bought.”
Now I go back to my checklist. I've caught 47 potential buying errors using it in the past 18 months. The 685? It's on my roster for good.
