Today, 01:03 AM
A 1977 Champion D720 motor grader sat idle in a garage for two decades before being revived with a simple but critical transmission fluid refill. This case highlights the importance of fluid maintenance, system priming, and baseline diagnostics when reactivating legacy equipment.
Champion D720 Overview
The Champion D720 was a mid-size motor grader produced in the 1970s by Champion Road Machinery, a Canadian manufacturer known for building rugged graders suited for municipal and contractor use. The D720 featured a mechanical drivetrain, articulated frame, and hydraulic blade controls. It was powered by a Detroit Diesel engine and paired with a DRMCO9138 transmission—an industrial-grade unit designed for low-speed torque and directional control.
Champion Road Machinery was later acquired by Volvo Construction Equipment in the late 1990s, but many of its older machines remain in service across North America, especially in rural counties and private grading operations.
Terminology Notes
After being moved outdoors with a loader, the grader showed no signs of movement under its own power. The clutch was manually primed, but the machine still failed to engage. Loosening hydraulic lines on the transmission and gear selector box revealed only trace amounts of fluid—suggesting a dry system.
This is a common scenario with long-idle equipment. Over time, seals shrink, fluid evaporates or leaks, and internal components lose lubrication. Without sufficient fluid, the clutch cannot build pressure, and the transmission remains disengaged.
Resolution and Field Outcome
Upon further inspection, the transmission was found to be nearly three gallons low on fluid. After refilling the reservoir and re-priming the clutch, the machine regained full mobility. The operator successfully drove the grader 23 miles home, confirming that the drivetrain was mechanically sound and the issue was purely hydraulic.
This outcome underscores the resilience of older Champion machines and the importance of basic fluid checks before assuming deeper mechanical failure.
Recommendations for Reactivating Stored Equipment
In Saskatchewan, a grader parked for 15 years was revived with fresh transmission fluid and a new starter. The operator noted that the machine ran smoother than expected, with only minor hydraulic leaks. In Georgia, a county road department reactivated a Champion 700 series grader by flushing the transmission and replacing the clutch master cylinder—saving thousands compared to buying new.
Final Thoughts
The Champion D720’s return to life after 20 years of dormancy is a testament to the durability of vintage machinery and the power of simple maintenance. When dealing with legacy equipment, fluid levels and priming procedures are often the difference between a dead machine and a fully functional workhorse. With patience and methodical inspection, even decades-old graders can be brought back into service.
Champion D720 Overview
The Champion D720 was a mid-size motor grader produced in the 1970s by Champion Road Machinery, a Canadian manufacturer known for building rugged graders suited for municipal and contractor use. The D720 featured a mechanical drivetrain, articulated frame, and hydraulic blade controls. It was powered by a Detroit Diesel engine and paired with a DRMCO9138 transmission—an industrial-grade unit designed for low-speed torque and directional control.
Champion Road Machinery was later acquired by Volvo Construction Equipment in the late 1990s, but many of its older machines remain in service across North America, especially in rural counties and private grading operations.
Terminology Notes
- DRMCO9138 Transmission: A heavy-duty mechanical transmission used in graders and industrial tractors, known for its low-speed torque and directional control.
- Priming the Clutch: The process of manually circulating fluid through the clutch system to restore hydraulic pressure after long-term inactivity.
- Low/High/Reverse Box: A gear selector assembly that controls speed ranges and direction in older graders.
- Transmission Reservoir: The fluid tank that supplies hydraulic oil to the transmission and clutch systems.
After being moved outdoors with a loader, the grader showed no signs of movement under its own power. The clutch was manually primed, but the machine still failed to engage. Loosening hydraulic lines on the transmission and gear selector box revealed only trace amounts of fluid—suggesting a dry system.
This is a common scenario with long-idle equipment. Over time, seals shrink, fluid evaporates or leaks, and internal components lose lubrication. Without sufficient fluid, the clutch cannot build pressure, and the transmission remains disengaged.
Resolution and Field Outcome
Upon further inspection, the transmission was found to be nearly three gallons low on fluid. After refilling the reservoir and re-priming the clutch, the machine regained full mobility. The operator successfully drove the grader 23 miles home, confirming that the drivetrain was mechanically sound and the issue was purely hydraulic.
This outcome underscores the resilience of older Champion machines and the importance of basic fluid checks before assuming deeper mechanical failure.
Recommendations for Reactivating Stored Equipment
- Check All Fluid Reservoirs Before Startup: Transmission, hydraulic, coolant, and fuel systems should be inspected and topped off.
- Prime Hydraulic Systems Manually: Use hand pumps or gravity feed to circulate fluid before engaging power.
- Inspect for Dry Seals and Cracked Hoses: Replace any components showing signs of age-related degradation.
- Loosen Lines to Check for Pressure and Flow: A quick way to confirm fluid presence and movement.
- Use Manufacturer Specs for Fluid Type and Volume: Older transmissions may require specific oils for clutch compatibility.
In Saskatchewan, a grader parked for 15 years was revived with fresh transmission fluid and a new starter. The operator noted that the machine ran smoother than expected, with only minor hydraulic leaks. In Georgia, a county road department reactivated a Champion 700 series grader by flushing the transmission and replacing the clutch master cylinder—saving thousands compared to buying new.
Final Thoughts
The Champion D720’s return to life after 20 years of dormancy is a testament to the durability of vintage machinery and the power of simple maintenance. When dealing with legacy equipment, fluid levels and priming procedures are often the difference between a dead machine and a fully functional workhorse. With patience and methodical inspection, even decades-old graders can be brought back into service.
