Wirtgen’s Tom Chastain has shared myriad tips and tricks for protecting the bottom line when it comes to the pavement maintenance treatment of cold planing. Whether working on a mill-and-fill or micro-milling project, the milling crew can make or break the profit for the contractor. One of the many aspects of a quality job for the crew to watch is the efficacy of the milling tools—or teeth—on the cutting drum.
Let’s focus on that item for this week’s toolbox tip.
You don’t necessarily have to send every tool to the recycle bin when you find your mechanic—or the operator serving as proxy mechanic—changing out the teeth on the drum.
Chastain gave the following suggestion: “Let’s say we cut a bunch of residential streets this week, but next week we’re going on the interstate. We might rerack that drum to start off fresh.” But, he said, do not throw away the removed teeth.
“If they’ve still got 60 to 70% life on them, put them in a box and keep them with the machine. When you go out on that interstate project and you break a tooth, use one of those teeth because it’s going to match your pattern much better than a new tooth.”
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