Feb 26, 2024
Crossing the Language Barrier
Speak the language of paving with quality, safety, training in mind
Feb 26, 2024
Speak the language of paving with quality, safety, training in mind
Dec 26, 2023
Running the plate compactor correctly can make or break the final product and affect your final pay. Select your plate compactor MVP wisely!
Nov 20, 2023
Using a complex manufacturing facility lot project, T&K Asphalt provides an example of training the whole crew for overall successes
Oct 23, 2023
Train the crew to line out the job for back-to-basics asphalt paving best practices
Dec 26, 2022
New type of attachment makes quick work of older pavements with chunky subgrades for New England contractor
Nov 28, 2022
Training tips for growing workers alongside the paving company
Oct 25, 2022
It’s all hands on deck to pave around multiple features in a gas station parking lot
Sep 26, 2022
You want to teach all members of the compaction train the best practices of rolling for a bonus-worthy mat. Reversing is a skill to spend some time on.
Aug 29, 2022
Clean equipment is safer, easier to maintain, better for your image
Jun 27, 2022
The savvy paving crew has at least one smart level on the job for double-checking the screed plate, tunnels and extensions, grade and slope, and any number of quality control points while working toward a top quality pavement. You must take care of the smart level as you would any QC/QA tool.
Mar 01, 2022
Best practices during QC/QA protect pavement structure
Mar 01, 2022
Build your own guide bars for paver operators
Jan 25, 2022
APC illustrates how to use mirrors to monitor end-of-load segregation in the hopper
Dec 27, 2021
Teach crew members how to compensate for poor truck dumping practices to protect the mat
Oct 25, 2021
Paving Consultant John Ball shares how SECON paved asphalt course on a concrete aggregates barge deck
Aug 24, 2021
One of the reasons a contractor might be called back to repair a job for the county or other agency is that the new pavement surface is slipping or shoving. John Ball outlines some best practices to prevent pavement slippage.
May 24, 2021
Time and space between the distributor truck and the paver can result in the wheels of the paver picking up tack and leave you with gaps in coverage. Here’s how to resolve the issue.
Apr 26, 2021
John Ball shares straight edge and paving tips for back to basics top quality control
Mar 01, 2021
Consultant John Ball shares the proper way to manage the pile in the hopper.
Jan 25, 2021
Consultant John Ball shares the proper way to dump the truck to avoid a mess.
Dec 28, 2020
Consultant John Ball shares a better way than scraping endlessly with a putty knife to clean the paver.
Nov 24, 2020
Asphalt paving training is easier when crewmembers communicates calmly and clearly through headsets
Oct 26, 2020
From parking garages to carports, confined spaces take best practices for quality paving.
Apr 21, 2020
Train drivers to deliver vital equipment correctly, safely with this primer from asphalt consultant John Ball.
Feb 25, 2020
Asphalt contractors learn theory and best practices at formal schools, workshops and online, before we expect them to apply knowledge in the field.
Jan 25, 2020
A specialty project such as a tennis court can make or break a contractor with the enormity of its details. Here’s how to pave a tennis court.
Dec 27, 2019
Teach new members of your paving crew how to use the paver console properly.
Nov 25, 2019
One of the most important components for building a good joint is the endgate. The endgate and shoe have to be clean, of course, but they also have to be maintained properly.
Nov 24, 2019
If the paver doesn’t have a truck lock to grab and hold the truck’s back wheels, you run the risk of spilled asphalt. And wasting the material is a best-case scenario.
Oct 27, 2019
John Ball shares his top tips on how to train new operators how to pave.
Sep 25, 2019
You want the paver to move smoothly, towing the screed smoothly in a gentle, flowing, gliding motion down the lane. Let’s look at a couple of problem areas that are easy to keep clean with proper upkeep and best practices.
Aug 23, 2019
Here’s an idea for safety, ease of communication and training. Invest in quality headsets that block the noise that damages hearing, but allow your workers to communicate easily and hands-free with each other.
Apr 25, 2019
Paving contractors can’t afford to assume everything will go right on every job. Here are a few common tasks that slip through the cracks.
Dec 27, 2018
Paving consultant John Ball shares why it’s important to offset the material transfer vehicle (MTV) while paving.
Jun 26, 2018
If you’re wondering why the mat has drag marks in it, turn to the screed for a possible answer.
May 25, 2018
Here’s how to protect the bogies of a tracked paver, thus protect mat quality and your bottom line.
Apr 29, 2018
Do yourself a favor and make sliding out the extensions a quick-and-easy measurement to check during paving. Clean the extensions thoroughly, and then use a tape measure to mark each inch along the length of the extension.
Feb 26, 2018
The screed is supposed to float along, smoothing out the mix in an even, beautiful black lane. When the screed tilts sharply to the front or back, it will affect […]
Jan 25, 2018
One of the best ways to ensure you make money on your next project is to give your foreman time to execute the project properly from start to finish. The […]
Dec 27, 2017
In 2017, AsphaltPro magazine launched an online course that I consulted on to give paving crews training and education. It’s packed with the “paving do’s” for each member of the […]
Nov 25, 2017
This could easily fit in the That’s a Good Idea column, but let’s draw some extra attention to the ring of light affixed to hard hats as a safety device. […]
Nov 25, 2017
Make life easier for the laborers by making the heavy plate compactor easier to move around the job site. You don’t want to encourage the laborer to run the plate […]
Oct 24, 2017
One way to increase visibility on any piece of heavy equipment is with mirrors. These are absolutely vital for equipment that will be backing or that has blind spots where […]
Apr 27, 2017
Haul truck drivers have as much need of a biodegradable release agent as any other member of the paving crew for keeping their equipment clean. A clever way to keep […]
Feb 27, 2017
Getting your best compaction on a project only happens when the equipment is in good repair and you use it properly. Let’s take a look at this universal roller for […]
Jan 22, 2017
Getting a clean asphalt mat behind the paver is more likely to happen when the screed is in good repair. Let’s take a look at this screed in particular for […]
Dec 20, 2016
When the feed sensor costs between $1,500 and $2,000 to replace and you have one on each side of the screed, you want them to last throughout the paving season. […]
Oct 25, 2016
One way to save your company thousands of dollars, whether you sub out hauling or have your own fleet, is to keep the tailgate of the haul truck from dribbling […]
Sep 27, 2016
The dump man controls the flow of material on the job, and that means he can be in a dangerous spot most of the time. To increase his safety, and […]
Aug 23, 2016
If the haul truck driver doesn’t know exactly what he’s doing, he might back the truck toward the paver on a dusky or dark paving job, but end up off-center. […]
Aug 05, 2016
Whether you’re constructing a new route for the state or building a new parking lot for a private customer, the direction the water flows off the pavement matters. An engineer […]
Jul 26, 2016
Whether you’re constructing a new route for the state or building a new parking lot for a private customer, the direction the water flows off the pavement matters. An engineer […]
Jul 26, 2016
The last thing you want to find at your job site is a messy work truck with tools scattered among cords and tanks and whathaveyou. Instead, create a safer scenario […]
Jun 28, 2016
We’ve talked before about the importance of lining out the job—whether that’s with string or paint—so you pull all the passes correctly. You want to know which lane to pave […]
Jun 28, 2016
When training the workers on your crew, watch the way they learn. The laborer who soaks up knowledge and is eager to master his craft will turn into the screed […]
Apr 27, 2016
At the end of the paving shift, when you lift up the screed and pull away, think about what you leave for tomorrow’s take-off. Let’s prepare for a successful start […]
Mar 07, 2016
Put the mechanic on the job of upgrading work zone safety with light, tape The team at The Earl Companies, Jackson, New Jersey, takes safety seriously. Its entire fleet of […]
Mar 07, 2016
In last month’s issue, we discussed how to use a little extra mix to hold heat on the transverse joint and stretch the extensions for the last pull off of […]
Feb 07, 2016
How much material you place on a commercial job usually depends on what the owner can afford for the project. That means you may be limited to one lift to […]
Feb 01, 2016
When performing residential paving or paving on city streets, you’re guaranteed to find sewer caps, utility covers, water main shutoffs and/or manhole covers in your path. A number of companies […]
Dec 07, 2015
Whether paving or milling, your straight edge is a vital tool for double-checking grade, slope, mat height and more. You can carry your folding ruler in the pocket of your […]
Dec 07, 2015
The key to proper joint construction is in the compaction. You know you’ll get good compaction of the joint if you perform your quality control through best production and best […]
Nov 07, 2015
When the paving crew discovers divots in the mat immediately behind the paver, the first place to look for problems is under the screed. While the best time to prevent […]
Oct 07, 2015
To get the head of material right, the paver operator will set the paver speed and auger rotation so that mix reaches the center of the augers as it feeds […]
Sep 05, 2015
Strategically placing signs makes for easier material moves, less chance for mistakes Even new truck drivers who have been subcontracted to work your milling or paving job for one shift […]
Aug 07, 2015
We can’t spritz release agent on everything. While the push rollers can get a wipe-down with a rag full of release agent before paving begins, other parts of the paver […]
Jun 07, 2015
It’s not just more tons, it’s more efficiency that enhances the project manager’s milling operation When using one set of trucks to haul millings from the job to the plant […]