Paving and Pavement Maintenance Equipment

As we begin a near calendar year, AsphaltPro begins a new way to examine the equipment, products and services available in the marketplace to asphalt professionals. Of course we will still focus on the items relevant to an asphalt business, but we have a new approach to make the focus more useful to you, reader and end user.

Notice this month that all equipment and services listed in the Product Gallery relate to the “paving” side of the industry. From the information we receive and solicit from OEMs and consultants, we’ve selected just the bits that pertain to laying and compacting a gorgeous asphalt mat, or maintaining and preserving any pavement surface, or profiling and testing the road for perfect quality assurance. When you see the Paving and Pavement Maintenance Equipment headline for our Product Gallery, you’ll know you have the latest and greatest in the paving/preservation/testing side of the asphalt game. Then wait until you see what we have for you next month.

HYDRAULIC DRIVE, LATERAL MOVEMENT FOR WIRTGEN’S MILL

A large cold mill with a hydraulically driven milling drum that’s movable from side-to-side is at the heart of the new Wirtgen W 200 Hi. The design solves a number of user problems, and is based on the proven W 200i/W 210i platform. The W 200 Hi milling drum offers a hydraulically driven milling drum assembly that can be displaced 16 inches to the right or the left, providing contractors maximum flexibility for operating in tight quarters. The movable milling drum assembly is the highlight of the W 200 Hi. With a hydraulically driven milling drum, the complete assembly can be displaced by up to 32 inches. This lets the W 200 Hi work around such obstacles as storm water inlets and street lamps. The new milling drum assembly can be moved while in operation, and gives the cold milling machine a zero edge on both sides.

As a result, a single machine can now be used to work right up to, and flush with, curbs or concrete barriers, both on the right and left side. This will allow trucks to move in and out of the traffic stream quickly in the direction of travel. The new W 200 Hi is powered by a Tier 4 interim-compliant 580-horsepower engine. The operational features of the larger Wirtgen mills will be found on the W 200 Hi, such as Level Pro automatic level control, the Parallel-to-Surface (PTS) system developed by Wirtgen, or the Intelligent Speed Control (ISC) system. An optional Vacuum Cutting System (VCS) to reduce particulate emissions at the cutter head is available. For more information, contact Bruce Monical at bmonical@wirtgenamerica.com.

CAT® 825K COMBINES STRENGTH, EFFICIENCY

The new four-drum Cat® 825K compactor incorporates Caterpillar’s Machine Drive Power (MDP) system. The system is an exclusive feature to Cat equipment designed to enable operators to attain compaction specs with minimal passes. Adding available technology for mapping and for storing and analyzing data creates an intelligent compaction system that provides comprehensive project management. With a maximum operating weight of 78,326 pounds, the 825K develops 405 net horsepower from its Cat C15 ACERT™ engine. The C15 ACERT is available with emissions-control technology to meet either US EPA Tier 4Final/EU Stage IV for higher regulated countries. An Engine-Idle-Shutdown system conserves fuel by stopping the engine after a pre-set interval of idling, and a Delayed Engine Shutdown feature protects the engine by stabilizing operating temperatures before shutdown. Caterpillar’s MDP system measures the soil’s load-bearing strength to assess compaction.

The system—which works efficiently with single- or four-drum configurations, smooth or padfoot—senses the rolling resistance of the material being compacted (the measure of its load-bearing strength) to determine the degree of compaction. Compaction data can be downloaded or wirelessly transmitted to the online VisionLink® user interface for analysis and reporting, using a computer or mobile device. The overall system provides a means to attain optimum productivity, job quality, and profitability. The 825K operator’s job-site awareness is enhanced with an available rear-vision camera or the Cat DETECT system, which monitors the work area and reports potential hazards in the machine’s path. Standard cab-mounted LED warning strobes keep nearby workers informed of the 825K’s presence. For more information, contact www.cat.com/requestCatinfo.

ECONOMIZE IC

BOMAG Americas of Kewanee, Ill., brings compaction measurement technology to mid-size tandem vibratory rollers with the Economizer as an optional feature on its BW138AD-5 roller. The Economizer system is designed to save time and money by providing operators with real-time mat data. The BW138AD-5 Economizer uses an acceleration sensor to measure the stiffness of the target material across the entire compacted area. Data from the sensor is instantly displayed via a series of 10 yellow LED lights on the roller’s instrument panel. The number of illuminated lights on the LED display increases in conjunction with increased compaction levels, allowing the operator to react to changing conditions. The Economizer signifies that maximum compaction has been achieved when the number of illuminated lights does not increase with subsequent roller passes. Additionally, a red LED light on the display warns of potential over-compaction, thereby preventing fractured aggregate. A sudden drop in the number of lit LED lights indicates a weak spot in the material, allowing operators to immediately analyze and remedy that particular area of the project.

Powered by a Tier 4i 45.3-horsepower, water-cooled Kubota diesel engine, the BW138AD-5 delivers a maximum centrifugal force of 10,800 pounds. Offering a working width of 54.3 inches, the roller includes larger 35.4-inch diameter drums and provides dual vibration frequencies of 3,480 or 2,820 vpm. Additionally, the roller’s bolt-on oscillating and articulating joint improves maneuverability by allowing the rear drum to follow the same path as the front drum while turning. A suspended and vibration-isolated operator’s platform includes a fully adjustable seat for added comfort, while allowing clear visibility of the drums. Operator efficiency is enhanced with multifunctional dual travel levers and Smart Drive steering wheel that provides more working room and a full view of all machine controls.

The BW138AD-5 is equipped with a pressure water sprinkler system that includes a high-capacity 81.9-gallon water tank for extended operation intervals between refills. Filtered spray nozzles and automatic interval sprinkler control contribute to water savings, while solid windscreens ensure that the drums receive sufficient coverage even in windy conditions. Flexible, spring-actuated scrapers further contribute to optimum water distribution. Standard safety features on the BW138AD-5 include foldable ROPS with seat belt, back-up alarm, emergency stop button, and front and rear working lights for night operation. The roller’s engine hood and instrument panel are also lockable to protect against vandalism. For more information, contact BOMAG at (309) 853-3571 or info.bomag@bomag.com.

D+C HAS A FIELD APP FOR THAT

Dexter + Chaney has debuted the latest in its new line of mobile applications for the construction industry: Spectrum Equipment Field Entry. The Equipment Field Entry app is a simple tool for gathering and analyzing equipment data in the field. With the app, users can select a job and view all equipment assigned to it, or view the location of equipment in the field. The app can be used to enter data such as usage hours and odometer readings and track fuel transaction or amounts of fuel dispensed. Equipment Field Entry can also track scheduled maintenance tasks, informing users of when maintenance is due and recording when maintenance tasks are completed.

The Equipment Field Entry app connects directly to Dexter + Chaney’s Spectrum Construction Software suite, allowing for data to flow seamlessly into the system to keep financial and project information up to date. The app can also work offline and sync with Spectrum when connected to the Internet. The app includes Bluetooth capability that enables it to automatically connect and communicate with fuel tank flow meters. The Equipment Field Entry app works with tablet devices and iPhone and Android smart phones, and is available at both the Google Play and iTunes app stores.

PAVEXPRESS EASES PAVEMENT DESIGN

Designing the right pavement for the job got easier in late 2014 thanks to PaveXpress, a free Web-based pavement design scoping tool for roadway and parking lot pavements. PaveXpress can be downloaded for free at www.pavexpressdesign.com. It creates technically sound pavement structural designs for flexible and rigid pavements based on widely accepted industry standards from the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO). PaveXpress is designed for use by local agencies, engineers, architects, consultants and engineering students who need a reliable way to quickly determine the necessary pavement thickness for a given section of roadway or project. The software only asks users for inputs required to create technically sound pavement designs, and it suggests industry-accepted defaults where appropriate.

Context-sensitive help and guidance are available at every step of the scoping process to aid users. The simplified pavement design tool is based upon design equations from the 1993 AASHTO Guide for the Design of Pavement Structures and the 1998 Supplement to the AASHTO Guide for the Design of Pavement Structures. PaveXpress was developed by Pavia Systems, a leader in the development of software and technology for the transportation infrastructure sector, with funding from the National Asphalt Pavement Association and the State Asphalt Pavement Associations. Planned future updates to PaveXpress will add modules for the design of overlays, as well as tools for mechanistic-empirical pavement designs. For more information, visit http://asphaltpavement.org.

ACE TORWEL PREPS FOR WINTER SPREADING

The snow and ice management division of ACE Torwel, Inc., Bellingham, Mass., has released its Economizer dual-motor 12V electric pick-up truck spreaders and announced improvements to its Economizer gas-over-hydraulic pick-up truck spreaders. If you supplement your commercial business with winter pavement clearing, here’s the information.
12V electric pick-up spreaders: With spreader wireless control, you can operate two motors independently with variable speed conveyor and spinner disk for precise rate and pattern control, according to the manufacturer. A new, optional swing-up spinner chute makes unloading material faster, along with making the cleaning process more efficient and complete.

Tipping the spinner chute up also allows for easy trailer hitch access. Performance advancements target more efficient, reliable snow and ice control in 1.3, 1.5, 1.7, 2.5 and 3.0 cubic yard models. ACE Torwel’s improved Economizer dual-motor electric V-box spreaders are lightweight and feature stainless steel or painted 14-gauge steel construction. Operators can control the flow of material with an in-the-cab wireless control panel that features stop, start, variable conveyor speed and variable spinner disk speed.
For more information on either product, visit www.acetorwel.com or call (800) 225-9415.

TRIMBLE STORES YOUR ASSETS

Trimble Navigation Ltd, Sunnyvale, Calif., announced three new asset inspection software solutions for heavy civil contractors—Trimble® Inspector, Trimble Inspector Pro and Trimble Asset Manager. Trimble Inspector is a free mobile app that allows equipment managers to easily inspect assets in real-time using their smartphone or tablet. Trimble Inspector Pro, the premium, subscription version of Trimble Inspector, is used to wirelessly aggregate and share asset condition across multiple sites using Trimble Asset Manager office software. Trimble Asset Manager software gives contractors the ability to store the inspection data of all assets in a centralized, Web-based database for accurate reporting and documentation. Trimble Inspector Pro requires a subscription to Trimble

Asset Manager office software to access the additional functionality. Trimble Asset Manager is a software as a service (SaaS) application used in the office to integrate, store and report asset condition data collected in the field by Trimble Inspector Pro. Asset information is kept in a secure, centralized online database accessible by authorized users in the company. Users can create asset records, document inspections and customize reports so managers get the data they need quickly and easily. Trimble Inspector and Trimble Inspector Pro are available now worldwide from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Trimble Asset Manager is available now globally through Trimble’s SITECH® Technology Dealer Channel.
For more information, visit construction.trimble.com.