Astec Industries Debuts RX-405 Cold Planer

Astec Industries, Chattanooga, debuted its RX-405 cold planer at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023 in the spring. The asphalt mill is designed for contractors who need a smaller cold planer.

Kyle Neisen, product director for Astec, said, “We’re excited to offer the RX-405 so that all contractors can benefit from the Astec lineup. Contractors of all sizes now have a machine that they can take to size-restrictive job sites like trenches, utility work and parking lots.”

The RX-405 features all new control stations that focus on user comfort and intuitive use. “The button layout and joysticks offer all-day comfort for long jobs,” Neisen said. With the new control station design, operators can protect the controls from tree limbs and other obstacles by adjusting the tilt on-the-fly. The same tilt mechanism can turn the controls all the way over for safe storage and protection when the machine is not in use.

The compact mill is designed to make changing drums fast and easy. “The RX-405 has a hinged door on the side of the cutter housing that provides quick access to all the necessary parts,” Neisen said. “The side-door is part of a single cutter housing that can transition from 2 feet to 5 feet wide so that no matter what job site you’re headed to, the base machine is ready to go.”

The RX-405 is designed to make drum maintenance better as well. The machine features a belt lifter that takes the belt off of the main engine sheave, disabling the engine’s ability to turn the drum during tool changes. The mill also includes a drum indexer, which remotely turns the drum, making it easy to get the drum to a good spot. Neisen added, “You’re no longer pulling hard on the drum, nor are you worried about the engine engaging it.”

The new cold planer can also be equipped with a rear object detection system, which uses a camera system to spot objects that might end up behind the mill. The system includes buttons at the back to temporarily lock-out the machine from reversing. Neisen said, “If you plan to walk behind the machine, you can simply press the button on one side and stop the machine—tap either side button again when no longer behind the machine. When any of those buttons are engaged, the machine will not allow the operator to go in reverse.”

For more information, visit www.astecindustries.com.