Cat Paver Anniversary with SDX Screed Opens This Month’s Paving Gallery
BY AsphaltPro Staff
In first quarter 2026, Caterpillar announced updates to the Cat® AP1000 wheel paver and the AP1055 track asphalt paver celebrating its 30-year anniversary, and introduced two extended-life plate designs for the Cat SDX Screed Plate System and collision mitigation.
Jon Anderson, senior sales support consultant for Caterpillar, spoke about the impetus for the paver and screed system updates. Citing hot, dusty environments and sticky asphalt, he said, “Paving applications pose some of the most challenging environments for the equipment. We’ve improved our cooling system filtration, moved our hydraulic charge pump and added a remote oil filter to improve reliability and simplify maintenance. The construction of textured and smooth Cat SDX screed plates offers more abrasion resistance to asphalt material to help improve plate life and machine uptime availability.”
The updated AP1000 and AP1055 paver models move the engine oil filter and drain to the left side compartment near the DEF tank to simplify service. When fine asphalt particles accumulate in the cooling fins over time, engine temperatures can rise. To help mitigate this, a new optional prefiltration system is available for the AP1000 and AP1055 pavers. Located in the center housing on the top deck for easy access, the four interchangeable filters help prevent fines build-up and simplify routine maintenance. Additionally, the fan drive motors are now located beneath the fan blades to further assist with easier cleaning from above.
Customers now have a choice between two SDX Screed Plate System designs from Cat, original textured SDX plates and new smooth SDX plates that perform like conventional screed plates with the added benefits of long life and quick-change capability.
In 2026, Caterpillar celebrates 30 years of paving innovation with the AP1055. Caterpillar first introduced the AP1055B asphalt paver with Mobil-Trac™ Undercarriage in 1996. Providing travel speeds like wheel pavers with the flotation benefits of track pavers, the exclusive Mobil-Trac system was designed to increase job site mobility. Since that time, there have been a number of design innovations, such as the introduction of a smooth belt in 2007, oscillating bogie design, electronic control modules (ECMs) enabling proportional control for the material feed system and eliminating flow gates for material flow, and dual operating stations with settings that transfer from side to side with a flip of a switch to provide enhanced control and visibility.
The Cat SDX Screed Plate System now offers two plate designs for contractors. Textured SDX plates feature angular grooves that promote increased density and smoothness behind the paver. Performing like traditional screed plates, smooth SDX plates offer modular, quick-change capability. Built with chromium alloy materials, Cat SDX plates deliver more abrasion resistance than Cat standard and cladded extended-life screed plates.
Customers now have a choice between two SDX Screed Plate System designs from Cat, original textured SDX plates and new smooth SDX plates that perform like conventional screed plates with the added benefits of long life and quick-change capability.
“We used ASTM G65 Dry Sand Rubber Wheel test procedures to evaluate the longevity of our SDX plates,” Anderson said. “Based on testing performed by Caterpillar utilizing ASTM G65 Dry Sand Rubber Wheel Test Procedures, the chromium alloy materials in our SDX plates deliver 4.2 times more abrasion resistance compared to our standard-wear screed plates and 1.2 times more resistance when compared to the cladded material used in our extended-life screed plates.”
Test results do not guarantee similar abrasion resistance improvements in paving application performance. Results may vary due to individual plate variation, paving techniques and paving conditions.
Caterpillar’s unique SDX screed plates are designed with integrated tapered blocks that fit over the front and rear of the adaptor plates. High-temperature silicone locking bans apply tension to hold the screed plates in place. Reducing standard hardware needed, the design shortens replacement time to as little as four hours, according to the manufacturer.
For more information, reach out to your Cat dealer or visit www.caterpillar.com.
View the June 2026 Product Gallery
https://theasphaltpro.com/hamm-introduces-smart-compact-pro-for-asphalt-density/
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