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The Rise of Galion and the 118B’s Place in Grading History
The Galion Iron Works Company, founded in Ohio in the late 1800s, was one of the earliest innovators in road construction machinery. By the mid-20th century, Galion had become synonymous with motor graders, producing a range of models that served municipalities, contractors, and military operations worldwide. The 118B, introduced in the 1970s and continuing into the early 1980s, was a mid-sized grader designed for versatility and durability. It featured mechanical simplicity, robust steel construction, and a drivetrain that could withstand years of punishing use.
While exact sales figures for the 118B are hard to pin down, Galion’s graders were widely adopted across North America and parts of Africa and Asia. The 118B became particularly popular in rural road maintenance fleets and among independent contractors who valued its straightforward mechanics over newer, more electronically complex machines.
Transmission Quirks and Low Range Slippage
One of the more persistent issues reported by operators of the Galion 118B is its tendency to jump out of low range during operation. This symptom typically manifests when the machine is under load or navigating uneven terrain. The root cause often lies in the mechanical linkage system that connects the gear selector to the transmission.
Key terminology:
Field Fixes and Practical Solutions
Operators facing this issue have found success with several hands-on remedies:
The idea of converting a Galion 118B to an automatic transmission is ambitious but not impossible. The original drivetrain is built around a manual gearbox paired with a torque converter or direct clutch system, depending on the variant. Swapping in an automatic transmission would require:
Anecdote from the Karoo
In the semi-arid Karoo region of South Africa, a road maintenance crew faced repeated low-range slippage on their aging 118B. After months of frustration, a retired mechanic named Koos diagnosed the issue as a bent selector rod caused by a minor collision years earlier. Using a torch and a homemade jig, he straightened the rod and added a grease fitting to the pivot point. The grader ran flawlessly for another five years. Koos’s fix became local legend, and his technique was later adopted by neighboring districts.
Preventive Maintenance Tips
To keep the Galion 118B in peak condition:
Although Galion was eventually absorbed into larger corporate entities—first by Dresser Industries and later by Komatsu—their graders remain a symbol of mechanical reliability. The 118B, in particular, is still found in municipal yards, private fleets, and even military surplus auctions. Its simplicity makes it a favorite among mechanics who prefer wrenches to laptops.
In 2023, a small town in Montana auctioned off its last Galion 118B for $6,200. The winning bidder, a local rancher, planned to use it for maintaining firebreaks and access roads. He remarked, “It’s not fancy, but it’ll outlast anything with a touchscreen.”
Conclusion
The Galion 118B motor grader may be decades old, but its mechanical heart still beats strong. Issues like low-range slippage are reminders of the importance of linkage integrity and thoughtful maintenance. Whether you're restoring one for work or nostalgia, the 118B offers a hands-on education in durable design and field ingenuity. In a world of increasingly complex machinery, it stands as a testament to the power of simplicity.
The Galion Iron Works Company, founded in Ohio in the late 1800s, was one of the earliest innovators in road construction machinery. By the mid-20th century, Galion had become synonymous with motor graders, producing a range of models that served municipalities, contractors, and military operations worldwide. The 118B, introduced in the 1970s and continuing into the early 1980s, was a mid-sized grader designed for versatility and durability. It featured mechanical simplicity, robust steel construction, and a drivetrain that could withstand years of punishing use.
While exact sales figures for the 118B are hard to pin down, Galion’s graders were widely adopted across North America and parts of Africa and Asia. The 118B became particularly popular in rural road maintenance fleets and among independent contractors who valued its straightforward mechanics over newer, more electronically complex machines.
Transmission Quirks and Low Range Slippage
One of the more persistent issues reported by operators of the Galion 118B is its tendency to jump out of low range during operation. This symptom typically manifests when the machine is under load or navigating uneven terrain. The root cause often lies in the mechanical linkage system that connects the gear selector to the transmission.
Key terminology:
- Range Selector: A lever or control mechanism that allows the operator to choose between high and low gear ranges.
- Linkage Slack: Excessive play or looseness in the mechanical rods and joints that transmit motion from the operator’s controls to the transmission.
- Detent Mechanism: A spring-loaded device within the transmission that holds the gear selector in place.
Field Fixes and Practical Solutions
Operators facing this issue have found success with several hands-on remedies:
- Inspect and Tighten Linkage
Begin by tracing the entire gear selector linkage from the cab to the transmission. Look for worn bushings, elongated holes, or loose fasteners. Replacing worn components and adjusting the linkage length can restore proper engagement.
- Rebuild the Detent Assembly
If the linkage is sound but the gear still slips, the detent mechanism inside the transmission may need attention. This involves removing the top cover of the transmission, inspecting the spring and ball assembly, and replacing any fatigued parts.
- Add a Positive Lock
In extreme cases, some operators have fabricated a mechanical lock or detent override to hold the selector in low range. While not factory-approved, these field modifications can be effective in remote areas where parts are scarce.
The idea of converting a Galion 118B to an automatic transmission is ambitious but not impossible. The original drivetrain is built around a manual gearbox paired with a torque converter or direct clutch system, depending on the variant. Swapping in an automatic transmission would require:
- A compatible transmission with similar torque ratings and mounting dimensions.
- Custom fabrication of bell housings and driveshafts.
- Integration of hydraulic controls and cooling systems.
- Rewiring of the control panel and throttle interface.
Anecdote from the Karoo
In the semi-arid Karoo region of South Africa, a road maintenance crew faced repeated low-range slippage on their aging 118B. After months of frustration, a retired mechanic named Koos diagnosed the issue as a bent selector rod caused by a minor collision years earlier. Using a torch and a homemade jig, he straightened the rod and added a grease fitting to the pivot point. The grader ran flawlessly for another five years. Koos’s fix became local legend, and his technique was later adopted by neighboring districts.
Preventive Maintenance Tips
To keep the Galion 118B in peak condition:
- Lubricate all pivot points monthly, especially in dusty environments.
- Check linkage alignment quarterly, using a straightedge and feeler gauges.
- Replace detent springs every 2,000 hours, or sooner if slippage occurs.
- Avoid aggressive downshifting under load, which can stress the selector mechanism.
Although Galion was eventually absorbed into larger corporate entities—first by Dresser Industries and later by Komatsu—their graders remain a symbol of mechanical reliability. The 118B, in particular, is still found in municipal yards, private fleets, and even military surplus auctions. Its simplicity makes it a favorite among mechanics who prefer wrenches to laptops.
In 2023, a small town in Montana auctioned off its last Galion 118B for $6,200. The winning bidder, a local rancher, planned to use it for maintaining firebreaks and access roads. He remarked, “It’s not fancy, but it’ll outlast anything with a touchscreen.”
Conclusion
The Galion 118B motor grader may be decades old, but its mechanical heart still beats strong. Issues like low-range slippage are reminders of the importance of linkage integrity and thoughtful maintenance. Whether you're restoring one for work or nostalgia, the 118B offers a hands-on education in durable design and field ingenuity. In a world of increasingly complex machinery, it stands as a testament to the power of simplicity.
