Sand stopper.

Sand is a different culprit than mud or snow, but it does just as much damage when it's wet and packed in place on the grader. So keep these "sand stoppers" in mind when you park the vehicle after the day's run.

Bracket Slide and Glide

Sand can play havoc with the cylinder rod end brackets (top) on the blade's moldboard, especially when it's wet and hardens.

When packed sand accumulates on the moldboard, those end brackets get stuck in their tracks, causing damage to the vehicle's hydraulics and the moldboard's slide bushings and seals. That means your grading operations are put on hold!

To head off damage, eyeball the lop area of the moldboard for hard-packed sand. Remove any debris with a shovel or entrenching tool before leaving the worksite. That way the blade can slide back and forth smoothly without damage to the hydraulics.