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30 Years, almost 40,000 Hours and the Motor Grader Still Running Strong
On 16 June 1996, Peter took delivery of a brand-new Cat® 140H Motor Grader near what was then the new construction site for Sues Road in Western Australia’s Southwest. Thirty years later, he’s still behind the wheel of the same machine.
For three decades, Peter has worked steadily across the Busselton region, taking on roadworks, property developments and civil projects with the grader that has become synonymous with his business.
The Decision to Buy the Grader
The year is 1996, and Peter is weighing up his options to grow and support his business – the decision to invest in the new grader wasn’t taken lightly.
“My old grader was going to cost about $40,000 to repair,” Peter recalled. “I thought, well, to save the $40,000 and trade it in is almost half of a new one. So, I went new.”
At the time, the investment felt daunting. “I thought, ‘I’m going to be in debt for a long time,’ because I hate owing money,” he said. But the gamble paid off and Peter owned his machine outright two years after the purchase.
Over the past 30 years, Peter’s 140H Motor Grader has accumulated an extraordinary 39,618 operating hours, spending virtually its entire life on the job.
According to Peter, the machine left the workshop and went straight to work the same day he collected it.
Despite the hours, the machine’s reliability continues to impress.
“Everything,” Peter said when asked what he likes most about the grader. “Otherwise, I’d have a new one.”
Why get rid of something that works to buy something that might not?”
When pressed on what stands out most after three decades of ownership, his answer was simple:
“Reliability.”
The grader is now operating with its second engine after the original accumulated more than 22,000 hours. Beyond that, Peter says major repairs have been few and far between. One wheel seal replacement, two sets of drive chains and regular maintenance have helped keep the machine productive throughout its life.
The People Behind a 30-Year Journey
When Peter called WesTrac to share a remarkable milestone, he was surprised to find a familiar connection still at the other end of the line: Ken Russell, WesTrac WA’s Retail Business Development Lead.
Ken had been part of the original handover team as a Product Support Sales Representative alongside former WesTrac Sales Representative Keith Manton, who is now retired. Thirty years later, despite the passing years, Ken immediately recognised Peter’s voice.
“I was so wowed to receive Peter’s call, and so proud that I was the person he remembered.”
Ken said it was rewarding to see both Peter and the grader still thriving after so many years.
The feeling was clearly mutual. Reflecting on the day he took the delivery of the machine, Peter still remembers Ken’s involvement in the handover.
“He didn’t do a bad job when I met him either,” he said.
For Ken, the call was a reminder of the connections built through machinery, service and customer support over a lifetime in the industry. For Peter, it was a chance to share an achievement he believed was rare.
He told Ken he didn’t think it was common for someone to own and operate the same grader continuously for 30 years and wanted WesTrac to know the machine was still working.
While technology and the industry have changed dramatically since 1996, Peter still approaches grading with the same practical mindset that’s served him throughout his career.
He continues working consistently and, by his own admission, enjoys the independence that comes with being out on the machine.
“I’ve got every day written down,” he said, reflecting on decades of meticulous record keeping and machine ownership.
Thirty years after taking delivery, Peter’s Cat 140H Motor Grader remains more than just a grader. It’s a testament to careful ownership, dependable equipment and a lifelong commitment to doing quality work.
And with 39,618 hours on the clock and counting, Peter isn’t finished yet.
See the Next Generation of Motor Graders in Action
WesTrac is showcasing the new Cat® Next Gen Motor Grader range at a series of Roadshow events across Western Australia and New South Wales in 2026. Join our experts for a firsthand look at the latest machine capabilities, live demonstrations, and insights into how Next Gen technology can help operators work smarter, safer and more efficiently.
Find a roadshow event near you and experience the future of grading for yourself.
