High production paving

In Germany a high production paving operation has been achieved using the largest machine available on the market.

This project is all the more notable as the operation has been carried out in a continuous process, without joints.

The 1194 Vögele SUPER 3000-2 paver was able to advance continuously at a rate of almost 4m/min. The machine was preceded by a bustle of activity, for no fewer than 24 feed lorries were needed to ensure an uninterrupted supply of mix to the paver, which placed an even asphalt surfacing without joints, up to 12m wide, 75% of its maximum pave width of 16m. Contractor A 3336 Frauenrath Bauunternehmen from Heinsberg had won the contract for construction of this 4.4km long new stretch of the B 56 federal highway in a consortium with Lambert Schlun from nearby Gangelt. Base and binder courses were paved by a SUPER 1600-2 and SUPER 1603-2. Tandem paving was originally specified for the wearing course, but Frauenrath's site planning engineers decided to try the SUPER 3000-2 instead. The idea convinced the highway authority engineers, Lower Rhine Regional Office, and they agreed to the change.

The paver was complemented by a MT1000 Mobile Feeder, an arrangement strongly recommended by the manufacturer when working with the SUPER 3000-2 due to the quanities of feed required Since the feeder stocks a sufficient quantity of mix, paving can continue for several hours without a break even when feed lorries only deliver fresh material intermittently. In Selfkant, the paver remained in operation for many hours before stopping for the first time. The feeder has added benefits as the mechanical separation between paver and feeder ensures that the mix is transferred smoothly, as well as providing a more homogenous thermal gradient for the mat.

Frauenrath had to achieve efficient logistics with regard to material supply. The job site was served by 24 feed lorries with a turnaround time of one hour and the firm signed a contractual agreement with the asphalt mixing plant ensuring that the asphalt could be delivered without a break.

Two service technicians from the 364 Wirtgen Group were on hand when Frauenrath began work with the paver and feeder set-up. A key part of the process was to ensure that the screed operators kept a close watch on the mix supply, while the speed of the augers and conveyors had to be matched to optimise the paving process and achieve the best possible surface accuracy.

The SUPER 3000-2 was in action in Selfkant for two days.  During this time, colleagues from Frauenrath, members of staff from nearby construction firms and specialists from the highways authority all took the chance to see the paver, the largest on the market at present, in action.