Asphalt pavers lay asphalt on roads and outdoor surfaces. Compact units are used for small jobs, while self-propelled units are used for larger projects. The screed shapes and levels the surface, and wheeled or tracked options are available.
Asphalt pavers are large pieces of construction machinery used to pave streets and other outdoor surfaces. After the new roads have been graded and a gravel base layer has been installed, a paver is used to lay the asphalt. This asphalt mix is made from a sticky byproduct of crude oil mixed with gravel and other aggregate materials. The paver distributes this mixture across the roadway and helps shape and shape it. A roller follows the paver to further smooth and compact the road surface.
There are two main types of asphalt pavers for buyers to choose from. The former is a compact unit, used for parking lots and other small paving jobs. These compact 3-20 horsepower units are not self-propelled and must be towed behind a dump truck or tractor. Smaller units work well for tight spots, but usually lack the power to pave large sections of roadway in one pass.
For larger projects, self-propelled asphalt pavers are used and can range from 100 to 250 horsepower. These units consist of a tractor and a screed. The tractor is used to steer and push the paver as well as distribute the asphalt. Dump trucks must fill the paver with aggregate before work begins, and the heating and mixing mechanisms within the paver help keep the asphalt mixed and at the correct temperature.
The screed on an asphalt paver helps shape and level the surface in preparation for the rolling machine. It contains vibration units and a series of complex sensors that allow it to self-regulate, keeping the road as smooth and compact as possible. Using the controls on the tractor, the operator can automatically widen or narrow the screed as needed for different stretches of road. On smaller asphalt pavers, the screed can be positioned at the front of the vehicle for better control and manoeuvrability. With most larger projects, however, the screed is towed behind the paver as this allows larger areas to be paved more easily.
When choosing an asphalt paver, another option to consider is whether to use a wheeled or tracked unit. Wheeled asphalt pavers offer excellent speed and mobility, but often lack the horsepower to pull a wider screed. Machines on conveyor tracks, on the other hand, won’t move as quickly or as easily, but they do offer superior traction, allowing them to make wider pulls.
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