Road repairs fuel demand for milling machines

A need for road repairs is fuelling demand for new milling machines, Mike Woof reports

With many roads in Europe and North America needing repairs, manufacturers continue to meet demand by offering improved compact milling machines, as well as full-sized planers. The versatile and manoeuvrable compact machines can play a useful role in on-site recycling jobs for urban road improvements while the larger mills can be vital for in-situ recycling work.

172 Bomag is introducing a compact milling machine, the BM 500/15, which it intends to market in the small planer segment. In addition, the firm is also offering 500mm milling drums. The new BM 500/15 compact planer has been seen before, having been shown as a prototype at 688 Bauma 2010. The new model is said to offer durability, a long service life, high milling quality and new roller technology.

A key development is the wide range of quick-change milling drums for the BM 500/15. These drums feature an innovative geometry with teeth arranged to ensure homogeneous, low vibration cutting. The shell thickness also provides a high moment of inertia and effectively performs like a flywheel, transferring fewer vibrations to the machine than a conventional drum. The geometry of the edge cutter generates a smooth edge with minimum damage. New diagonal cutters protect the shell tube when working around bends and prevent abrasion to the bracket at the edges. The cutter supports are fitted in milled pockets which transfer power better, and give longer service life than standard units. The cutters can be removed quickly and easily. In addition BOMAG is offering these new milling drums for compact milling machines from other manufacturers in the 500mm class. There are two variants available, the 500mm LA15 and POWERDRUM 500mm LA 20 milling drum.

The BM 500/15 is said to be comfortable to operate for long working shifts as the seat and operating controls are insulated from vibration. All functions can be accessed from a sitting position and the machine has a 45° swivel seat providing a good view of the loading truck and the milled edge.

206 Dynapac is offering two new compact wheeled planers, the PL1000T and PL600T, which have milling widths of 1m and 600mm respectively. These two machines are built along modular lines and use many components also seen in the proven PL500T and TD models as well as the PL350TD, which Dynapac launched earlier.

Both the PL1000T and PL600T compete in the 13tonne class and according to Dynapac, the machines are more productive than similarly sized machines from other manufacturers. Dynapac says that these new mills have more power available at their 300mm maximum cutting depths than rival machines.

In this class manoeuvrability is crucial and Dynapac says its has designed the machines with tight turning circles. The two machines also have the ability to work close to walls and raised edges, which ensures they can cope with working in compact sites in urban areas. Meanwhile innovative single-sided drums allow fast changes, permitting the machine user to set up the equipment quickly to suit varying job needs. Dynapac has also developed a novel parallelogram front axle design that allows more accurate tracking, increases traction and reduces the risk of uneven tyre wear. Both of the machines are available in four wheeled form only, as the firm believes the market for compact mills is for wheeled machines.

2395 Wirtgen meanwhile is adding to its compact milling machine range with the addition of the W50DC Rumbler variant. This is developed from the existing W50DC milling machine and is offered with an optional rumbler attachment. This device allows high-production milling of rumble strips in the standard, preferred 406mm width at speeds of up to 54.9m/minute. The new rumble strip attachment is said to further boost the versatility of the W50DC. This package offers customers a durable, reliable cold milling machine for general milling use, combined with a proven milling technology for cutting milled rumble strips in shoulders or down centrelines of two-way pavements.

Big mills Moving up the size class for milling machines, Wirtgen is offering customers machines with two large mills, the W200 and twin-engined W210. The W200 and W210 are built along modular lines and share a great number of components, including the chassis. The W200 can be equipped with milling drum assemblies of 1.5m, 2m, or 2.2m and has three selectable engine speeds, which allow it to be used in a wide range of applications, such as large-scale surface course rehabilitation, complete pavement removal at full depth and fine milling. The W200 has a milling depth of 330mm and is powered by a single engine generating 410kW. Its operating weight is 27.2tonnes, with half-full water tank, half-full fuel tank, a driver, and tools.

The W210 is an innovative concept as it is a twin engine model and can also be equipped with milling drum assemblies of 1.5m, 2m, or 2.2m. The twin engines deliver a total of 500kW, with three selectable engine speeds and weighs 28.2tonnes. This twin power system is said to reduce fuel consumption as the machine can be run on one of the engines only when being moved on site, to and from a low loader for delivery or for light duty cutting. The second engine is only engaged when harder cutting is being carried out and full power is required.

In addition, Wirtgen is continuing with its cold recycling product range and has developed the 3800CR specifically for the US market. This machine is a development of the milling machine-based 2200CR and features a Vögele screed but comes with a 3.8m wide cutter drum that offers full lane width milling potential. The cold-in-place recycling allows stabilising with either foamed asphalt, as well as asphalt emulsion, lime or cement slurry. When fitted with a conveyor, it will also serve as a full-lane cold milling machine. With its down-cutting feature, the milling drum of the 3800CR rotates in the direction of travel, which is said to allow precise control of the size of the milled asphalt. By changing the drum gearbox, the 3800CR can be converted to work in up-cutting mode when required.

Stable ground Soil stabilisers also offer important capabilities in road recycling applications, with both 1252 Roadtec and Wirtgen keen to market their machines. Roadtec is now introducing its SX-5, a mid-size stabiliser that features power from a 403kW 178 Caterpillar C15 engine which meets the latest emissions requirements. The SX-5 comes with a 2.44m wide drum and weighs in at less than 27.2tonnes and is said to be capable of a true cutting depth of 460mm. Water and emulsion systems, enclosed operator cab, and many other options are available. This machine can be used in a wide array of applications and duties and can be configured to suit the working environment and the customer request. The machine comes with sophisticated monitoring/diagnostic software, which is said to boost uptime, reduce downtime and maximise utilisation.

Wirtgen is also offering its WR2400 mid-sized stabiliser and cold recycler. This 426kW machine is said to offer high-performance and versatility and can be used to cut up to 508mm deep at a 2.4m cutting width. It can be used to stabilise with both emulsion and foamed asphalt, and can be equipped with a high capacity water pump for dry soil conditions and cement or lime stabilisation work.