Graders appeal to me because of the integrity of their design. First, their chassis is also their body, an impressive convergence in function that few but the most expensive road cars can achieve. Second, they are designed to do one job well, and the form factor completely supports the purpose of the vehicle. Third, I would expect that, ergonomically, a grader scores highly: for the simplicity and physical feedback of its hydraulic controls and for the high visibility afforded by a cabin which is set high off the ground and is mostly window. The driver even has a view downward past his own feet so that he can visually check the operation of the grading blade. Stability is assured by the wide, low stance and the heavy, rugged materials.
I thought more about the cleverness and efficiency of building a monocoque, combination chassis/body for a wheeled vehicle out of what is, effectively, a bent I-beam, with minimal body panelling and no wheel-arches. I then realised that automotive designers have used this highly efficient layout for purposes widely divergent from road construction.
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