As parts of North America begin to cool down this month, paving foremen will keep a closer eye on mix delivery temperatures. Depending on what state you operate in, the haul truck bringing mix to your site is already required to use a tarp to cover the load. Now consider a way to close that tarp down.
When the haul truck driver exits the loadout area at the asphalt plant, he will immediately cover the new load of material to hold heat in. Some tarp systems are on rails that hold the tarp close to the truck body. When the canopy is closed, it almost seals the truck bed closed, forming a sort of “container” that holds the perishable mix and its heat inside.
By using a canopy that’s on rails, the driver has eliminated the flapping and tearing of tarps that hang above the mix, and has eliminated the passage of cool autumn air that gets in under the tarp. That wind cools the top of the mound(s) of material, creating a shell of hardened mix. A shell of cooler material represents temperature segregation for the paving crew to deal with; it can also represent chunks of material segregation.
You may want a material transfer device in front of the paver or remixing system in the paver hopper to help with minimal crusting. Or you may want to give your foreman the authority to send a poor-quality load back to the RAP pile.
QUICK SAFETY TIP:
While several tarping systems now feature remote functions that let the driver move the tarp to cover and uncover the load from inside the cab, there are still systems that require the driver to get out and move the tarp by hand. Keep in mind, if you do exit the cab to manipulate a tarp, you must wear your PPE. Please wear a hard hat to protect yourself in the event of an emergency. Always stay aware of your surroundings and don’t dilly-dally. You’re not on a break. You’re getting the tarp in place, or out of the way for dumping, and then getting yourself back to the safety of the cab.
Get tips like this delivered to your inbox each day when you sign up for our Toolbox Tips newsletter.