When it comes to road maintenance, site levelling, and gravel road restoration across Western Australia, few machines earn the trust of operators quite like the Komatsu GD555-5 Grader. This mid-range motor grader has built a reputation across Australian job sites for combining reliable Komatsu engineering with the precision control and operator comfort needed to tackle everything from fine trim grading on residential subdivisions to full formation work on remote unsealed roads.
Now available for dry hire through Western Truck Sales with a 14 foot blade, the GD555-5 is ready to work across Perth, the Peel region, the South West, and beyond. Whether you are a civil contractor preparing a subdivision, a council maintaining rural road networks, or a mining support operator managing haul roads, this machine delivers the performance, visibility, and fuel efficiency that WA conditions demand.
Why the Komatsu GD555-5 Motor Grader Stands Out
The GD555-5 is not the biggest grader on the market, and that is exactly why it works so well across such a wide range of Western Australian applications. At approximately 17 tonnes operating weight with a 144 kW (193 HP) Komatsu SAA6D107E-1 turbocharged engine, it hits the sweet spot between capability and versatility.
Key Specifications at a Glance
- Engine: Komatsu SAA6D107E-1, 6-cylinder turbocharged diesel, 144 kW (193 HP)
- Operating weight: Approximately 17,000 kg
- Blade: 14 foot (4.3 m) mouldboard
- Transmission: 8 forward / 4 reverse automatic powershift with dual mode selection
- Articulation angle: 25 degrees left and right
- Blade reach outside tyres: Excellent for ditch cutting and shoulder work
- Cab: ROPS/FOPS certified, air-conditioned, air-suspended seat
- Circle drive: Hydraulic with full 360-degree rotation
The dual mode transmission system is a standout feature. Operators can select full powershift mode for grading applications that require constant speed adjustments, or switch to the lockup automatic torque converter mode for travel and lighter duties. This flexibility reduces fuel consumption and wear while keeping the operator in full control of the machine’s behaviour.
The long wheelbase provides excellent stability during grading, while the generous articulation angle makes slope cutting and tight manoeuvres straightforward. Visibility from the cab to the blade and work surface is among the best in class, a critical factor for operators performing fine trim work where millimetre precision matters.
How the GD555-5 Grader Tackles WA Road Conditions
Western Australia’s road network is vast, diverse, and demanding. Main Roads WA manages over 18,500 kilometres of state roads, while local governments maintain tens of thousands of kilometres more, including extensive unsealed road networks across regional and remote areas. The conditions these roads face are as varied as the state itself.
The Komatsu GD555-5 with its 14 foot blade is built to address the full spectrum of road conditions that WA operators encounter:
- Corrugated gravel and unsealed roads. Corrugation is one of the most persistent problems on WA’s gravel road network. The GD555-5’s precise blade control allows operators to cut through washboard surfaces and restore a smooth, crowned profile that sheds water effectively.
- Loose surface gravel and sand. Loose material accumulates on shoulders and travel lanes, reducing traction and creating hazards. The grader’s wide blade reach pulls material back into the road formation, restoring a stable driving surface.
- Pavement damage and potholing. Deteriorated sealed and unsealed surfaces require careful grading to prepare for resurfacing or patching. The GD555-5 delivers the fine control needed for accurate preparation work.
- Roadworks and construction zones. From initial formation through to final trim, the grader is indispensable on construction sites. Its 14 foot blade covers significant width per pass, improving productivity on large-scale earthworks and road building projects.
- Resurfacing and maintenance preparation. Before new gravel or seal is laid, the existing surface must be graded to specification. The GD555-5’s automatic cross-slope capability ensures consistent fall across the road profile.
- Verge damage restoration. Damaged road shoulders and verges are a common issue after heavy rain or overloading. The grader restores verge profiles quickly and efficiently.
- Detour and temporary road construction. When main routes are closed for construction, flooding, or other reasons, temporary detour roads need to be established quickly. The GD555-5 is agile enough to create usable temporary surfaces in tight timeframes.
- Drainage and table drain maintenance. Proper drainage is critical to road longevity. The grader’s blade articulation and reach allow operators to clean and reshape table drains without repositioning the machine.
- Post-flood and storm damage response. After water over road events, debris accumulation, and washouts, graders are among the first machines deployed to restore access and rebuild road surfaces.
- Site levelling for construction and laydown areas. Beyond road work, the GD555-5 is equally capable of levelling building pads, laydown areas, and car parks to specification.
For contractors working alongside heavy-duty tippers on WA job sites, the GD555-5 is a natural partner, spreading and finishing material delivered by truck with precision and speed.
Dry Hire Through Western Truck Sales
Western Truck Sales offers the Komatsu GD555-5 Grader with 14 foot blade on a dry hire basis. Dry hire means you supply the operator and fuel; the machine is delivered to your site ready to work. This arrangement gives contractors and project managers maximum flexibility without the capital outlay of purchasing a grader outright.
Dry hire is ideal for:
- Project-based work where the grader is needed for a defined period
- Supplementing your existing fleet during peak demand
- Testing the machine before committing to a purchase
- Council and government maintenance programs with seasonal grading requirements
- Remote site deployment where mobilising your own equipment may not be practical
The GD555-5 pairs effectively with other heavy equipment solutions built for power available through Western Truck Sales. Whether you need a grader alongside a compactor such as the Cat CS66B 12-tonne compactor for road construction, or you need heavy-duty dropdeck trailers to mobilise equipment between sites, Western Truck Sales can put together a package that covers your full project requirements.
For operators transporting the GD555-5 across Perth or to regional WA sites, the Freightwest next-generation dropdeck trailer provides a capable and compliant transport solution. And if you are managing crews and equipment across the metro area, practical guidance on navigating city traffic and parking logistics can save you time and headaches.
Who Benefits Most From Dry Hiring the GD555-5
The versatility of this grader means it serves a broad range of industries and applications across Western Australia:
- Civil construction contractors building roads, subdivisions, and infrastructure
- Local government road crews maintaining unsealed road networks
- Mining and resource companies managing haul roads and site access
- Agricultural operations maintaining property access roads and firebreaks
- Land developers preparing sites for residential and commercial construction
- Emergency response teams restoring road access after storms, floods, and bushfires
Frequently Asked Questions
What does dry hire mean for the Komatsu GD555-5 Grader?
Dry hire means you hire the machine without an operator. Western Truck Sales delivers the Komatsu GD555-5 Grader to your site, and you provide a qualified operator and fuel. This gives you full control over scheduling and operations while avoiding the capital cost of purchasing the machine. The grader arrives serviced, inspected, and ready to work.
What size blade does this Komatsu grader come with?
The GD555-5 available through Western Truck Sales is fitted with a 14 foot (4.3 metre) mouldboard. This blade width provides excellent coverage per pass, making it productive on both road grading and site levelling tasks. The blade offers full 360-degree rotation and can be angled, tilted, and shifted to suit a wide range of grading applications.
What types of road conditions can the GD555-5 handle?
The GD555-5 is designed to tackle virtually every road condition found across Western Australia. This includes corrugated gravel roads, loose surface gravel and sand, potholed and damaged pavements, road construction and formation work, drainage maintenance, verge restoration, and post-storm or flood damage repair. Its precise blade control makes it equally capable of rough formation work and fine trim grading.
Can the GD555-5 be transported to regional and remote WA sites?
Yes. At approximately 17 tonnes operating weight, the GD555-5 can be transported on a standard heavy-duty dropdeck or float trailer. Western Truck Sales can advise on transport logistics and, where required, provide trailer solutions to mobilise the grader to your site anywhere in Western Australia.
What qualifications does an operator need to run the GD555-5?
In Western Australia, operators of motor graders on construction and civil sites typically require a relevant high-risk work licence or a statement of attainment for grader operation. Some sites may require additional competencies such as a current white card, site-specific inductions, and evidence of recent operating experience. Requirements can vary by site and project, so check with your principal contractor or site manager before deploying your operator.
