Champion 100T Motor Grader and the Mystery of Its Location

[MikePhua]

Quick answer
The Champion 100T motor grader listed for sale appears to be a 1985 model located somewhere in Kentucky, though the listing originated from South Carolina. Confusion over its exact location has raised concerns about inspection access and listing authenticity.
Champion road machinery legacy and the 100T series
Champion Road Machinery, founded in Canada in the early 20th century, built its reputation on durable, mid-sized motor graders for municipal and contractor use. The 100T series was introduced in the 1980s as a heavy-duty model designed for road maintenance, grading, and snow removal. It featured:

• A turbocharged diesel engine (often Cummins or Detroit Diesel)
  
• Articulated frame for tight turning radius
  
• Hydraulic blade control with multi-axis adjustment
  
• Enclosed cab with heater and optional air conditioning
  

The 100T was part of Champion’s push into larger grader markets before the company was acquired by Volvo Construction Equipment in the late 1990s. Units from the 1985 production year are still in service across North America, especially in rural counties and private fleets.
Listing confusion and inspection challenges
A consultant based in Spain discovered a listing for a Champion 100T on Market Book, showing Spartanburg, South Carolina as the seller’s location. However, the machine itself was reportedly parked in Kentucky. Attempts to contact the seller yielded no clear address or inspection access.
This raised several possibilities:

• Brokered listing: The seller may be a third-party dealer without direct access to the machine
  
• Consignment sale: The grader could be stored at a remote yard or municipal depot
  
• Listing error: Location tags may have been misentered during posting
  
• Scam risk: Lack of transparency could indicate a fraudulent or misrepresented sale
  

One observer noted that if the seller refuses to disclose the location, they may be trying to prevent direct negotiation with the actual owner.
Prototype confusion and image misidentification
An image shared later showed a grader near Jim Chapman Lake in Texas, but it was identified as a smaller Champion 80T prototype, not the 100T. This highlights the importance of serial number verification and model identification before purchase.
Tips for confirming model:

• Check the serial plate near the cab door or engine compartment
  
• Compare blade width, tire size, and cab design to known 100T specs
  
• Request maintenance records or prior registration documents
  

Recommendations for buyers and inspectors

• Insist on physical location disclosure before payment or deposit
  
• Request a video walkaround with engine startup and blade movement
  
• Use satellite imagery or local contacts to verify yard or depot existence
  
• Ask for serial number and cross-check with Champion production records
  
• Avoid listings that refuse inspection or offer vague transport arrangements
  

In one case, a buyer in Ohio purchased a grader sight unseen and discovered it had a cracked frame hidden under fresh paint. Transparency and inspection access are essential for heavy equipment purchases.
Conclusion
The Champion 100T motor grader remains a respected workhorse from the 1980s, but locating and verifying a listed unit requires diligence. Confusion over its whereabouts in Kentucky, combined with listing origin in South Carolina and image misidentification from Texas, underscores the need for clear communication, serial number checks, and physical inspection. Buyers should proceed cautiously and demand full disclosure before committing to a sale.