killdozer, I'm sorry to hear that the new series isn't all you had wanted. I certainly don't speak on behalf of Cat, as I'm not affiliated with them, but I do know that the rationale behind their product strategy is to offer the best product with features that distinguish it from its competition. The logical step for motor graders would be to make them easier to operate; the industry seems to be changing toward younger operators who are by definition more familiar with "electronics." Certainly, many operators still move through the ranks from mechanic up to manager, but I'd bet this decision was not a snap-decision. It represents significant risk for Cat -- after all, Cat is betting on brand-new technology to replace technology that's been for decades -- and certainly Cat has a lot riding on it. The engineers who design it are as much people as you and I, and do, in fact, take pride in their work. Design decisions aren't always based on cost or making the machine only serviceable at the dealer. I've worked among Cat engineers, and let me tell you, the combined expertise and heritage and pride that they put in is one of the most incredible work environments I've even been in. Maybe the M-series isn't perfect for everyone, but I argue that it offers the first revolution in the segment in two decades. The change isn't even a performance change that makes the grader suddenly more productive: it's a human factors change that gives the young a chance to learn a machine. And it's this type of progress that makes me proud, excited, and above all, honored to have worked for Cat.