In the fast-paced world of earthmoving and construction, speed, accuracy, and cost-efficiency are everything. That’s where SharpGrade for machine control comes in. Offering next-generation precision grading attachments for compact track loaders, SharpGrade delivers high-performance results without the cost and complexity of traditional equipment. At GPS Alaska, we provide the cutting-edge technology and support contractors need to maximize every job site.
Ready to boost your grading efficiency? Contact us today to learn more about how SharpGrade can transform your workflow.
Why the Construction Industry Needs Smarter Grading Tools
Traditional grading tasks can be time-consuming, labor-intensive, and far from precise. As construction projects become more complex and timelines get tighter, the industry demands a smarter, faster way to grade.
CTLs equipped with SharpGrade attachments are changing the game, allowing contractors to eliminate guesswork and reduce the time it takes to hit grade. Contractors are now completing tasks in half the time it used to take with conventional designs, freeing up their schedule for more projects and expanding business opportunities.
SharpGrade also helps solve labor challenges. With a shrinking skilled labor pool, contractors need tools that simplify complex tasks. SharpGrade’s visual prompts, intuitive interface, and auto-tune function allow even less-experienced operators to deliver professional results.
What Makes SharpGrade Different
The SharpGrade grader blade is an innovative tool designed to deliver precise leveling within 1/8″ (3mm), completing tasks up to ten times faster than a standard skid steer with a bucket attachment.
The twin pivoting blades enable cutting, carrying, trimming, spreading, and finishing in a single pass, significantly speeding up the process and reducing manual labor. In short, the SharpGrade grader blade boosts grading efficiency, accuracy, and productivity on any construction site.
Key features that set SharpGrade apart:
- Reversible blades and hydraulic wings for enhanced performance and flexibility
- Forward and reverse operation, a first-of-its-kind design in grading attachments
- Twin pivoting blades allow all in a single pass:
- Cutting
- Carrying
- Trimming
- Spreading
- Finishing
- Boosts grading efficiency, accuracy, and productivity on any site
SharpGrade, designed for smaller grading tasks, has revolutionized grading efficiency. As Michael Williams, CEO of GPS Alaska, explains, “SharpGrade, as an attachment, is designed for the smaller grading application… We take a grading blade anywhere from 109 inches to 128 inches for the mold board size, and we install that grading attachment on different-sized skid steers.”
This flexibility allows contractors to tackle a variety of tasks efficiently, even in tight or hard-to-reach spaces.
When it comes to sidewalk grading, SharpGrade offers a major advantage. Traditional methods, such as using a box on a skid steer or a Gannon box, can be “incredibly inefficient.” Williams adds, “With a SharpGrade, it’s like having a small grader mounted on the front of your skid steer. You’re able to get into really tight locations, and especially when you automate them… you can build your grade on a sidewalk so much faster and more accurately than you could with a large grader or dragging around a box, a cannon box.”
SharpGrade grader blades are also built to last. Designed and engineered in New Zealand for tough environments, they feature:
- Heavy-duty components that stand up to demanding conditions
- Minimal wiring, reducing maintenance and downtime
- Reliability and long-term durability, even in extreme environments
For contractors working in Alaska’s rugged terrain, this kind of durability is essential.
ROI That Contractors Can See
Cost is always at the top of mind for contractors. SharpGrade offers a unique value proposition: better performance without the heavy investment of a full-size motor grader. It lets contractors use the equipment they already own—like a skid steer loader—to complete precision grading work typically reserved for far more expensive machines.
For smaller and medium-sized contractors, the initial investment in SharpGrade can be a concern. To address this, SharpGrade offers flexible financing options, making it more accessible. “We now offer, I believe it’s up to six years’ worth of financing, so we can take you and get you into these products that are going to make your company… 25, 35, 50% more efficient,” Williams says. This allows contractors to see a return on investment without breaking the bank upfront. From labor savings to faster job completion, contractors report a rapid return on investment after switching to SharpGrade.
SharpGrade also reduces equipment redundancy. Instead of investing in multiple machines for site prep, grading, and finish work, contractors can use one CTL with a SharpGrade grader blade for all three stages. This streamlining helps small- to mid-sized contractors scale their operations without a fleet overhaul.
Precision, Performance, and Productivity
Grading to a tight tolerance is essential in projects like concrete prep, paving, or site leveling. With SharpGrade, operators can achieve this level of precision using a skid steer—even in confined areas where larger equipment can’t go.
SharpGrade stands out in several key ways:
- Ideal for parking lots:
- Operators can grade tight spaces with ease
- Cuts project time significantly—“in and out there in half the time”
- Versatile for culvert replacements and tight spaces:
- Great for grading in areas where larger machines can’t reach
- Enables quick, clean prep for paving post-culvert install
- Faster grading with no center pivot:
- Allows grading up to 3x faster than traditional graders
- Blade responds quickly to commands, giving operators better control and precision
- Consistent, high-performance results:
- Maintains top-tier grading accuracy on large-scale projects
- Delivers repeatable results on:
- Athletic fields
- Parking lots
- Interior warehouse floors
- Performs in all conditions:
- Built to handle rain, rugged terrain, and finished pads
- Real-time feedback gives operators confidence to keep working regardless of the environment
Whether it’s a small pad or a large site, SharpGrade empowers teams to deliver high-precision grading with speed, efficiency, and control.
The Competitive Edge of Using SharpGrade with CTLs
CTLs are compact, maneuverable, and already on most job sites. When you pair them with a SharpGrade attachment, you unlock a whole new level of capability. It transforms your loader into a high-precision grader capable of finishing lots, foundations, driveways, and more.
The twin pivoting blades can cut in both directions, and the adjustable grade height and hydraulic side wings ensure you maintain equal height across the surface. The blade remains parallel at all times, whether operating from a fixed height or following site contours.
SharpGrade also complements the way contractors already work. This ability to do more with less is what separates SharpGrade users from the competition. Whether it’s closing more bids, finishing projects ahead of schedule, or impressing clients with a flawless finish, the benefits stack up quickly—especially in the rental market.
Parking lot grading is another area where SharpGrade shines. Williams highlights the challenges of using full-size graders for such projects: “Once you get the concrete in there, you’ve got curb all over the place, you’ve got to grade material, you’ve got to add two inches everywhere… You spend an awful lot of time just reworking material, and then you’ve got multiple laborers out there just raking… Whereas with a SharpGrade, because you can fit in all these tight little areas, you can go directly in there and you can be in and out there in half the time.”
Types of SharpGrade Products at GPS Alaska
At GPS Alaska, we understand the unique challenges that come with working on large-scale construction projects in Alaska’s extreme environment. That’s why we offer a complete line of SharpGrade products designed to enhance your grading and leveling operations with unmatched precision, efficiency, and durability.
A few of our top-rated SharpGrade products include:
SharpGrade Grader Blades Series
- G128 Grader – A 3.25m reversible grader blade with hydraulic side wings, designed for large-frame skid loaders. This product provides operators with precision control and versatility for a wide range of grading tasks.
- G116 Grader – A 2.95m grader blade custom-designed for skid loaders in the 75-90 horsepower range. Features include reversible functionality, hydraulic side wings, and parabolic mirrors for an unobstructed view of the work area.
Box Blade Retracting Series
- B87 Heavy Duty – The 87″ (2.2m) SharpGrade box blade with advanced features like patented QuadRod linkage and adjustable hitch plate, making it perfect for tough, high-demand grading tasks.
- B79 Medium – The 79″ (2.0m) series box blade designed for mid-frame skid steers (65-85 HP range). Ideal for residential pad grading, curb preparation, and equestrian surface maintenance, it features the same patented QuadRod linkage for durability.
- B72 Compact – The 72″ (1.8m) series box blade tailored for mini skid steers and compact wheel loaders. This model excels in tight spaces, offering zero-clearance QuadRod linkage and adjustable functionality for precise grading in confined areas.
- B60 or B48 Junior – Available in 60″ (1.5m) and 48″ (1.2m) models, these box blades are designed for mini skid steers and compact wheel loaders. They feature a zero-clearance design and sealed QuadRod linkage, making them perfect for landscaping and small-scale paving tasks.
TurfGrader Power Rake
- TurfGrader Power Rake – A versatile attachment for SharpGrade box blades, designed for turf and aggregate applications. It can be mounted on models such as the B87 Heavy Duty and B72 Compact, providing adjustable raking depth from 2.5″ to 6″ above the grading height.
Fixed Box Blade Series
- BF87 or BF48 Non-Retracting – The BF87 SharpGrade series (87″ / 2.2m) features a fixed, non-retracting design, ideal for mid-frame skid steers. Equipped with sealed QuadRod linkage, this blade offers low ground pressure and excellent visibility, making it a great solution for flat surfaces, equestrian arenas, and curbs.
QuadGrade Machine Control Systems
- QuadGrade Control Systems – A reliable 2D control system designed for SharpGrade products. It offers intuitive visual prompts, making it easy for operators to achieve precise grading. Features include compatibility with sonic trackers and slope sensors, as well as a user-friendly plug-and-play setup.
Time to Level Up Your Grading Operation
If you’re ready to turn setbacks into success on the job site, SharpGrade is the tool that can get you there. Whether you’re tackling tight deadlines, complex sites, or looking to get more from your existing equipment, SharpGrade attachments deliver the precision grading and performance contractors need, without the bulk and cost of traditional grading gear.
At GPS Alaska, we don’t just sell you the tools—we partner with you to make sure they work for your team. From hands-on demos to on-site support, our mission is to help you get real results fast.
Want to see SharpGrade in action? Get in touch with us for a demo and experience the future of grading.