7 hours ago
Where Can You Still Find Parts for Austin-Western Motor Graders
The Austin-Western Legacy and Market Footprint
Austin-Western was a pioneering American manufacturer of road construction equipment, best known for its motor graders. Founded in the late 1800s and headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, the company produced thousands of graders throughout the 20th century. Their machines were widely used by municipalities, state DOTs, and contractors for road building and maintenance. In the 1970s, Austin-Western was acquired by Clark Equipment, and later absorbed into Volvo Construction Equipment, which gradually phased out the brand.
Despite the brand’s disappearance from new equipment catalogs, many Austin-Western graders—especially the Super 301 and Super 500 series—remain in service across North America. Their mechanical simplicity and rugged build make them ideal candidates for restoration and continued use, but sourcing parts can be a challenge.
Terminology Notes
Operators seeking parts for Austin-Western graders have found success through a mix of salvage yards, specialty suppliers, and legacy inventory holders. Recommended sources include:
One grader operator in Wyoming shared that his county’s 1970s-era Super 301 was still used for snow removal. When the circle drive failed, he sourced a gear set from Thill Tractor and had a local shop fabricate a thrust washer. Another user in California found scarifier teeth through MinnPar after trying multiple dealers who no longer supported the brand.
A retired mechanic in Pennsylvania recommended keeping a parts log and photographing each component before removal. He emphasized that many Austin-Western machines were modified in the field, so factory diagrams may not match actual configurations.
Preventive Measures and Restoration Tips
Finding parts for Austin-Western motor graders requires persistence and a mix of salvage sourcing, specialty suppliers, and custom fabrication. While the brand is no longer active, its machines continue to serve in road maintenance and rural operations. With careful documentation and proactive networking, operators can keep these historic graders running for decades to come.
The Austin-Western Legacy and Market Footprint
Austin-Western was a pioneering American manufacturer of road construction equipment, best known for its motor graders. Founded in the late 1800s and headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, the company produced thousands of graders throughout the 20th century. Their machines were widely used by municipalities, state DOTs, and contractors for road building and maintenance. In the 1970s, Austin-Western was acquired by Clark Equipment, and later absorbed into Volvo Construction Equipment, which gradually phased out the brand.
Despite the brand’s disappearance from new equipment catalogs, many Austin-Western graders—especially the Super 301 and Super 500 series—remain in service across North America. Their mechanical simplicity and rugged build make them ideal candidates for restoration and continued use, but sourcing parts can be a challenge.
Terminology Notes
- Super 301 / Super 500: Popular Austin-Western grader models known for mechanical blade controls and Cummins or Detroit Diesel engines.
- Circle Drive: The gear mechanism that rotates the grader blade horizontally.
- Scarifier Teeth: Replaceable steel tips mounted on the front ripper for breaking hard surfaces.
- Thrust Bearings: Bearings that support axial loads in the circle drive and blade lift arms.
Operators seeking parts for Austin-Western graders have found success through a mix of salvage yards, specialty suppliers, and legacy inventory holders. Recommended sources include:
- MinnPar: A Minnesota-based supplier specializing in legacy construction equipment. They stock new and remanufactured parts for Austin-Western, including hydraulic cylinders, seals, and electrical components.
- Thill Tractor: Known for used parts and salvage inventory, especially for older graders. They often carry hard-to-find mechanical linkages and cab components.
- Local Salvage Yards: Some regional yards still have Austin-Western machines in inventory. Calling ahead with model and serial number is essential.
- Custom Fabrication: For obsolete parts like blade lift arms or circle drive gears, local machine shops can reverse-engineer replacements using original samples.
One grader operator in Wyoming shared that his county’s 1970s-era Super 301 was still used for snow removal. When the circle drive failed, he sourced a gear set from Thill Tractor and had a local shop fabricate a thrust washer. Another user in California found scarifier teeth through MinnPar after trying multiple dealers who no longer supported the brand.
A retired mechanic in Pennsylvania recommended keeping a parts log and photographing each component before removal. He emphasized that many Austin-Western machines were modified in the field, so factory diagrams may not match actual configurations.
Preventive Measures and Restoration Tips
- Document Serial Numbers: Essential for matching parts, especially for engines and hydraulic systems.
- Inspect Wear Items Annually: Circle drive gears, blade pins, and hydraulic seals are common failure points.
- Use Cross-Reference Catalogs: Some parts are interchangeable with Clark or Volvo legacy machines.
- Maintain a Parts Binder: Include photos, dimensions, and supplier contacts for future reference.
- Join Regional Equipment Networks: Local operators may have spare parts or knowledge of salvage machines.
Finding parts for Austin-Western motor graders requires persistence and a mix of salvage sourcing, specialty suppliers, and custom fabrication. While the brand is no longer active, its machines continue to serve in road maintenance and rural operations. With careful documentation and proactive networking, operators can keep these historic graders running for decades to come.
