If you've spent much time around construction sites or municipal yards, you've probably crossed paths with a Deere 570a at some point. It's one of those machines that just seems to hang around, refusing to head to the scrap heap because it simply keeps working. Even though it's been decades since these first rolled off the assembly line, they still hold a special place in the hearts of operators who value a machine that does exactly what it's told without a bunch of fancy sensors complaining every five minutes.
The Deere 570a wasn't just another grader when it hit the market; it was actually a bit of a pioneer. Before this series showed up, most motor graders were rigid-frame beasts that required a massive amount of space just to turn around. Deere changed the game by introducing the articulated frame, and the 570a was a refined version of that revolutionary design. It made the machine nimble, allowing it to work in tight cul-de-sacs and narrow roadways where the bigger rigs would struggle to even turn their wheels.
A Design That Changed the Game
The standout feature of the Deere 570a has always been its maneuverability. By combining frame articulation with front-wheel steering, Deere gave operators a level of control that was pretty much unheard of at the time. You could offset the frame to keep the drive wheels on solid ground while the blade reached into a soft ditch, or you could "crab steer" to counteract side-draft.
It sounds like standard stuff today, but back then, it was a revelation. If you're running a 570a today, you'll notice that it can turn in a circle with a radius of just 18 feet. That's tiny for a piece of heavy equipment. It's why you still see these machines being used by smaller paving contractors or for maintaining long gravel driveways. They can get into spots that a modern, massive grader wouldn't even dream of attempting.
The Power Under the Hood
Under that green and yellow hood, you'll usually find the John Deere 6-cylinder diesel engine. It's not going to win any drag races, but that's not what it's for. It's a workhorse engine designed for torque and longevity. The Deere 570a produces around 85 horsepower, which might sound low by modern standards, but you have to look at how that power is used.
The weight distribution and the transmission setup ensure that those horses get translated directly to the ground. The Power Shift transmission was another big selling point. It allowed operators to shift through the gears without clutching, which meant smoother passes and less fatigue at the end of a long ten-hour shift. If you've ever spent a day clutching a manual grader, you know exactly how much of a luxury that felt like.
Operating the 570a: A Raw Experience
Let's be honest: sitting in a Deere 570a is a world away from the climate-controlled, joystick-operated cabins of 2024. It's loud, it's shaky, and you're going to feel the engine vibration in your teeth. But for many old-school operators, that's actually a plus.
When you're pulling a grade with a 570a, you have a direct mechanical connection to the moldboard. There's no lag from a computer trying to decide what you meant to do. You move a lever, and the blade moves. You can feel the resistance of the soil through the controls. It takes a lot more skill to run one of these "by the seat of your pants," but once you master it, you can produce work that's just as clean as someone using GPS-guided hydraulics.
The visibility is also surprisingly good. Because the machine is relatively compact and the frame is narrow, you have a clear line of sight to the toe and heel of the blade. This is crucial when you're working up against a concrete curb or trying to avoid a hidden manhole cover.
Maintenance and the "Keep it Simple" Philosophy
One of the biggest reasons people still hunt for a used Deere 570a is that they are actually fixable. Modern machines are great until a proprietary motherboard fries or a sensor decides to put the whole thing into "limp mode." With the 570a, if it stops moving, it's usually something you can see, touch, and fix with a standard set of wrenches.
The hydraulic system is straightforward, and the engine bay is accessible enough that you don't need to be a contortionist to change the oil or swap out a filter. Of course, since these machines are older now, you have to keep an eye on things. Common issues usually involve the circle drive or the pins and bushings in the articulation joint. If those get too much play in them, your grading precision goes out the window. But as long as you keep them greased and replace the wear strips on the circle, these machines can easily clock 10,000 or 15,000 hours.
Why Buy a 570a Today?
You might be wondering why anyone would choose a Deere 570a over a newer model. The most obvious answer is the price. You can pick up a running 570a for a fraction of the cost of a new compact grader. For a farm owner who needs to maintain a two-mile lane or a small contractor just starting out, the ROI is hard to beat.
Another factor is the size. Modern graders have grown significantly over the years. Even the "small" ones are often too heavy for certain residential roads or sensitive jobsites. The 570a sits in that "Goldilocks" zone—heavy enough to cut through hard-packed clay, but light enough to be hauled on a standard trailer without needing a specialized heavy-haul permit in many jurisdictions.
- Versatility: It handles everything from snow removal to fine grading.
- Reliability: The mechanical components were over-engineered for the time.
- Simplicity: No DEF, no DPF, and no complex electronics to worry about.
- Resale Value: Because they are in high demand for private use, they hold their value remarkably well.
Common Quirks to Watch Out For
No machine is perfect, and the Deere 570a certainly has its share of "personality." If you're looking at buying one, check the hydraulic lines carefully. Older machines often have original hoses that are essentially ticking time bombs. Swapping them out before they burst can save you a huge mess and a lot of downtime.
Also, pay attention to the brakes. The braking system on these can be a bit finicky if they've been sitting in a damp field for three years. It's also worth checking the articulation lock. Some owners weld them shut when the bushings go bad because they don't want to deal with the repair, but doing that kills the best feature the machine has. You want that articulation working smoothly.
Lastly, make sure the moldboard isn't warped. It's a 12-foot blade, and if a previous operator hit a stump or a frozen rock at high speed, it could have a slight twist. It's hard to get a perfect finish with a bent blade, no matter how good you are with the levers.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, the Deere 570a is a testament to the idea that good engineering doesn't really go out of style. It was a forward-thinking machine in the 70s and 80s, and it remains a practical tool for many operators today. It doesn't have the bells and whistles of a new M-series, and it's certainly not the most comfortable place to spend a rainy Tuesday.
However, if you need a machine that is reliable, easy to transport, and capable of putting a perfect crown on a gravel road, it's hard to do better than this classic. It's a "get it done" kind of machine. If you find one that's been well-maintained and doesn't have too many leaks, grab it. They don't make them like this anymore, and that's probably why so many of them are still out there, moving dirt and earning their keep.