Asphalt paving equipment

Types of asphalt paving equipment

Asphalt paving equipment is mainly used for building and constructing country roads, highways, urban roads, docks, and parking lots. It can lay hot-mix asphalt material smoothly and create a uniformly high-density road surface. The main types of asphalt paving machinery are as follows:

• Asphalt paver:

  The asphalt paver is a large road machine that can lay asphalt and concrete mixes in a homogenous way to provide an even base for roads and other infrastructure. A paver is further divided into two major types: tracked pavers and wheeled pavers. The tracked asphalt paver uses crawler tracks for driving and is more widely used in the industry. It is suitable for various road construction projects, provides stable traction and control, and can adapt to different working conditions. On the other hand, the wheeled paver uses rubber tires for movement. It is often used in rural and urban road projects with small traffic volume.

• Asphalt roller:

  After laying the asphalt, a roller compactor is used to compress the asphalt layer and bind the material firmly. The roller makes the pavement resilient and durable by eating into the asphalt mix. The asphalt roller comes in three main types: static, vibratory, and pneumatic. A static roller uses its weight to compact the asphalt and soil. Heavier static rollers may be used for asphalt. A vibratory roller has a built-in vibrator to provide more excitement and thus compact more on the soil and asphalt. Finally, a pneumatic roller has several tires that give a marching band effect to provide uneven compaction.

• Asphalt finisher:

  The asphalt finisher, or asphalt spreader, is a machine that effectively spreads and levels hot-mix asphalt in a controlled manner. The main function of the asphalt finisher is to lay the prime and binder courses in the correct elevation and tolerances before the final wearing course is laid. The spreader uses either a mechanical or a skid-steel blade to spread the asphalt material and achieve the desired grade.

• Asphalt distributor:

  The asphalt distributor is mainly used for spraying prime coat, tack coat, and asphalt emulsion on the road surface in a uniform and controlled manner. Modern distributors are truck-mounted and have computer-controlled spray bars to ensure precise and consistent application. Some models have the option of a rear or front spray bar. The spray may be adjusted to include or exclude areas, and the nozzle size may be changed to include different applications.

• Asphalt recycler:

  An asphalt recycler is used to heat up recycled asphalt material and mix it with new material to create eco-paving solutions. The equipment is crucial in reducing carbon emissions and conserving natural resources in road construction. It not only reduces waste sent to landfills but also lowers the overall expenditure on materials needed to construct roads. The recycler usually heats the asphalt at a specific temperature so that it does not lose any distinctive qualities required to build roads.

• Router:

  An asphalt router is a key element of a road maintenance program, as it can mill grooves into asphalt pavement. The router cuts a U-shaped groove into the asphalt, usually to improve drainage. The router is also used to cut linear grooves into asphalt or concrete to improve friction. The router uses high-speed bits and a computer-controlled axial system to accurately mill the grooves. When using the router, operators can pre-defined routes and select groove spacing and depths according to specific project requirements.

Specifications & maintenance of asphalt paving equipment

Asphalt paving machines have different specifications depending on the type and model. Here are some of the key specifications of asphalt paving equipment:

• Payloader: The average payload of asphalt paving equipment, such as a paver finisher, ranges between 3,000 to 8,000 kg. The larger the size of the paver finisher, the higher its payload capacity.
• Width: The average width of asphalt paving equipment ranges between 2.5 to 5 meters. Paver finishers are usually the widest, while curers are the narrowest.
• Pre-Consumption Cost: The average pre-consumption cost of asphalt paving equipment is between 200,000 to 1 million USD. The larger the size of the machine, the higher the pre-consumption cost.
• Built: Asphalt paving machines are built to last several years. The average lifespan of the machines ranges between 10 to 20 based on maintenance.
• Temperature Control: Asphalt paving machines can control temperatures between 100 to 700 degrees Celsius. The temperature control usually varies depending on the type of machine.

Maintaining asphalt paving equipment is crucial for its performance, efficiency, and longevity. Here are some asphalt paving maintenance tips:

• Transportation: Always use proper equipment and transportation methods to avoid damaging the paver.
• Regular Clean: The regular cleaning of asphalt paving equipment helps keep the machines in good condition for a long time. Cleaning the equipment regularly prevents the buildup of asphalt.
• Lubricate: Find and lubricate all moving parts of the paving machines to reduce wear and tear, prevent clogging and make the equipment easy to operate.
• Assess Damage: Regularly assessing damage on parts of the paving equipment helps to detect and fix damages before they escalate into bigger problems.
• Fasten Bolts: Bolts in paving equipment need to be frequently checked and fastened to avoid loosening due to constant vibrations during operation.
• Fuel: Always ensure the paving equipment is using the right fuel to avoid damaging the engine performance.

Scenarios of asphalt paving equipment

• Road construction and maintenance:

  Major infrastructure projects, such as highway and urban road reconstruction, require a large amount of asphalt paving equipment. In addition, the amount of equipment needed for small urban road repairs, pothole filling, and other maintenance work is also substantial but at the low end of the spectrum.

• Industrial and civil construction:

  Asphalt paving equipment is widely used in the construction of various infrastructures such as factories, airports, docks, parking lots, and other facilities. These places often have high requirements for pavement quality and bearing capacity, which necessitates the use of high-quality and efficient asphalt paving equipment.

• Special project construction:

  Special projects such as urban beautification and the construction of scenic spots require personalized and refined asphalt paving equipment, as well as some equipment that meets environmental protection requirements.

• Northern regions and cold weather conditions:

  In northern regions or areas with cold weather, the demand for asphalt paving equipment is high, and the equipment used is often suitable for winter construction.

How to Choose Asphalt Paving Equipment

When shopping for asphalt paving machines for sale, buyers can start by looking for the most popular sizes of pavement among their target customers. The smallest sizes, which are the wheel pavers, are mainly used for repaving or touch-up jobs. Therefore, they might not attract many customers. Buyers might, however, find many interested customers if they stock up on dump truck/augured pavers and their latest models. This is because many contractors use them for average-sized jobs such as city streets and highways.

Explore different features that many modern asphalt pavers have and decide whether to stock up on high-tech or entry-level pavers. For example, some have automatic grade control and electronic feed controls to ensure steady material placement and smooth roadbed consistency. Many contractors prefer them because they are easier to use and enhance the quality of the work done. Additionally, buyers should choose modern models if they have to decide on one type. It's clear that many customers prefer modern machines because they are more efficient and have higher levels of productivity.

Consider the asphalt paver sizes that the contractors around the buyers' stores commonly use. Buyers should look for pavers that use the most commonly used paving material among local contractors. If most local contractors use the dump truck/augured type of paving machine and the paving material is hot mix asphalt, buyers should look for those types. Buyers should also consider the level of customer support offered by the suppliers. Do the suppliers offer spare parts and quick repair services? If the suppliers offer good customer support, buyers can confidently buy their equipment to sell to contractors.

Since a good number of contractors are looking to improve their productivity and efficiency, buyers should focus on machines with advanced technology, such as GPS control systems, automatic feeder systems, and electronic control systems. Asphalt pavers with such tech enhancements streamline the paving process, reduce manual labor, and improve accuracy and consistency, features many contractors prefer. Additionally, consider purchasing versatile machines that can easily be adjusted to handle different types of paving materials. Such machines are attractive to most business customers.

FAQ

Q1: What are the key safety features of asphalt paving machines?

A1: Modern asphalt paving machines come with several safety features to prevent workplace accidents. They have a visibility enhancing features such as work lights, controlled dust output and a low-lying heating system to prevent burns. In addition, vehicles or equipment with the potential to collide are enhanced with communication systems. This prompts the machines to issue alerts.

Q2: Does the temperature of asphalt affect paving strength?

A2: The temperature of asphalt paving directly impacts its strength and stability. When the temperature of asphalt paving is too high, it tends to become too stiff, making it difficult to achieve an effective pavement compression. At lower temperatures, the paving may remain too loose and soft, resulting in long-term deformation and weakness.

Q3: Who are the main users of asphalt pavers?

A3: The main users of asphalt paver machines are construction and contracting companies. This is because they are mostly used in road construction. However, some civil engineering companies also use them for their private and public infrastructure projects. The machines are ideal for paving roads, parking lots, sidewalks and air strips.

Q4: What payment methods do suppliers of asphalt pavers accept?

A4: Suppliers of asphalt pavers offer various payment methods. These include wire transfers, credit cards, PayPal, escrow services and bank drafts. Some suppliers also accept payment in cryptocurrency digital currencies such as Bitcoin.