Asphalt pavers in focus at major shows

Major manufacturers have unveiled new paving machines at key events in the US and Europe in recent months - Mike Woof reports

The recent 6069 World of Asphalt and 242 Intermat exhibitions have seen the introduction of several new asphalt paving machines. Major manufacturers were present at both events, with several new models being unveiled. The focus on World of Asphalt, held in the US city of Baltimore, was understandably on pavers for the North American and Latin American markets. Meanwhile new pavers on show at Intermat in Paris were for European style machines. In addition however, some firms also unveiled new technologies that can be used to optimise paving operations, both for North American and European style applications.

The focus for North American style pavers is on high production and that is the case for the F1000T from 206 Dynapac.

This is a highway-class paver aimed at paving widths from 3-8m, although slightly wider mats can be paved using bolt-on extensions. The low deck height with its unobstructed view is said to offer the operator good visibility of the hopper during loading operations, the augers for material transport and the flow of material from the screed. The design of the deck also allows the seating to be moved as required. Because of the low deck height, the machine is said to be easier to move from site to site using a low loader as there are no concerns over height clearance issues. The machine has long tracks that help optimise stability although the firm says that the paver is also comparatively compact given its output.

The paver is powered by a 196 Cummins QSB6.7 diesel which is Tier 4 Final compliant. An important feature is the 34kW onboard generator that powers the electric screed and has plenty of capacity for additional lighting. Options include front or rear-mount screeds as well as a choice of machine control packages. 

Moving down the size scale 178 Caterpillar says that the latest version of its AP600 paver also meets Tier 4 Final emissions requirements and is aimed at the 2.55-5m class. The machine has an onboard, switched reluctance generator that is directly coupled to the engine and provides 70kW, sufficient for the screed as well as other electrical equipment.

The generator can heat the screed up to working temperature in just 15 minutes if required. The machine sets engine speed automatically depending on load, such as from the generator as well as from other operating functions. The operator can also select a low noise engine setting, although the lower engine rpm means that the screed takes 35 minutes to reach working temperature.

Caterpillar says that the machine is easier to operate as the operator platform is further forward as well as being slightly higher for better visibility. As with other machines in the range, the AP600 now has the wiring for machine control systems fitted in the factory and features Cat Grade Control tools.

The highly sophisticated Pave-IR system from 1228 MOBA is said to further improve quality control for paving applications. This can be used in both North American and European style pavers to deliver a more homogenous paving finish and to highlight any potential trouble spots, as well as helping to better utilise compaction equipment. The new Pave-IR package is equipped with a sensor system that is more accurate than the laser used in the previous generation unit.

The revised sensor technology provides a more accurate picture of the heat distribution in the recently paved mat. The sensor system reads the mat temperature as it emerges from behind the screed. This allows the paver operator to identify spots that are cooling rapidly and will have to be compacted first. The system can also reveal if the paver is making too fast an advance and has to be slowed down so as to provide a more consistent quality finish.

1252 Roadtec is revising its RP195e paver with the installation of a Tier 4 Final compliant engine. The Cummins QSB6.7 diesel is rated at 172kW and this engine marks something of a departure for the firm, which has used Cat engines in the past. A Tier 3 version of the Cummins QSB6.7 diesel delivering 172kW also powers the RP195ex variant, which is aimed at markets without such stringent emissions regulations.

The latest paver models from Roadtec will soon be available with the company’s revised Guardian telematics technology. This is said to offer better onsite support to customers and will also be made available on the highly successful Shuttle Buggy material transfer vehicle. Upgrades to the Shuttle Buggy now mean that it will be able to work with a wider array of tipper trucks. The hopper now has a telescoping feature that allows it to be adjusted to suit the width of the tipper truck being used to deliver asphalt. The machine also benefits from a redesigned operator station that can be slid out to the side, for improved visibility of the working area. With its transport weight of 30.5tonnes and its comparatively compact design, the SB-1500 is said to be easy to transport and to suit jobs on sites where space is at a premium. The Shuttle Buggy’s success means that it is used in both North American and European style paving operations, particularly for longer jobs where a steady flow of asphalt is required.

Designed for the international market meanwhile, the new Super 800-3i, Super 1600-3i and Super 1603-3i pavers from 1194 Vögele all feature European style screeds.

The compact Super 800-3i paver is of note as it is said to be the only compact paver in its class featuring a tamper bar screed, in the shape of its AB220TV unit. Other machines in the same size class are said to offer vibration only screeds but Vögele claims its unit offers a higher quality finish. This machine is designed for paving widths of 0.5-2.5m and can be used for car parks, driveways and cycle lanes for instance. The paver can also be tracked through tight spots as with the screed retracted it is just 1.4m wide, while it also offers a low working height of only 2m. Its low weight and compact design meanwhile also mean that it can be carried on a truck along with the paver operator’s small car (such as a Smart car or Renault Twingo) as is often the case in Germany. Power comes from a Deutz diesel rated at 55kW, a 20% increase from the engine used previously. The machine is also said to be easier to operate due to its having proportional controls and the new ErgoBasic control unit.

In the mid-sized paver range, the tracked Super 1600-3i and wheeled Super 1603-3i models offer low emissions and high performance. These are fitted with screeds that can be extended hydraulically to offer paving widths of up to 6.5m.

Bolt-on extensions can increase paving width to 7.5m. The machines are offered with the firm’s sophisticated technologies such as the EcoPlus and AutoSet systems and the PaveDock Assistant package.

The improved PF-150C paver from VT 717 LeeBoy is now fitted with a new screed and more powerful engine than the B series machine being replaced. Other improvements include a beefed-up structure and more capacity from the onboard generator. The 1265 Kubota diesel powering the paver delivers 75kW and is Tier 4 Interim compliant, while generator input has been boosted by 3.5kW to 10kW. The screed suits paving widths in the 2.5-4.5m class.

 The is an improved version of the earlier B generation machine, with a new screed, more power, a higher power generator and a stronger structure with an increased weight of 181kg. The new screed is said to deliver better mat density and offers working widths of 2.44-4.3m. The Kubota diesel driving the machine is Tier 4 Interim compliant and delivers 75kW, a notable increase from the 63.4kW engine used previously.