An asphalt paver lays layers of hot mix asphalt (HMA) for roads, driveways, and parking lots. These machines can be wheeled, tracked, self-propelled, or towed by a dump truck. The tractor component handles the asphalt, including the receiving hopper, feeder conveyors, distribution augers, and more. It also tows the screed, which levels and shapes the pavement.
Fast Laydown
Professional tools can help paving contractors maximize their speed and precision when laying pavement surfaces. Asphalt pavers, for instance, can lay down hot mix asphalt much faster than hand-laid materials. The right tool can ensure a high-quality finish and smooth surface without aggregate segregation. Paving equipment such as rollers, rakes, and tampers can also compact and level asphalt. Getting the most out of an asphalt paver requires proper setup and maintenance. This includes ensuring the paver is appropriately inspected and ready to start work before beginning any paving operations. It is also critical that the paving process starts at an optimum time to prevent issues with temperature, material flow, and compaction. The hopper of an asphalt paver is where the dump truck pours the hot mixture to be laid down. It then moves to the screed to be spread. The hopper has different sizes that influence the type and size of jobs the paver can handle. It can be either a tilt-hopper paver or a conveyor-fed paver, the latter of which is typically used in highway construction.
Easy to Operate
Asphalt is a versatile material that can be laid in various styles and designs. It can be stained or colored to match any building’s color scheme or created to look like bricks or stones. It also offers excellent skid resistance, reducing the likelihood that vehicles will swerve out of control when driving on wet surfaces. Laying asphalt involves using various tools, such as pavers, rollers, rakes, and tampers. These specialized equipment work together to create a flawless paved surface. One of the most critical aspects of paving asphalt is ensuring compaction. At the same time, the mix has a low enough viscosity to allow aggregate particle rearrangement and eliminate voids in the pavement structure. This requires careful paver setup and attention to detail throughout the day. This means ensuring the right paver is set up, achieving optimum mat temperature, and conducting the roller pattern optimally. It also means applying a release agent to any components that come into contact with the asphalt throughout the day to prevent them from sticking.
Easy to Maintain
Asphalt is an excellent paving material for roads and parking lots. It’s sustainable, cost-effective, and provides a smooth ride for vehicles and pedestrians. It is also relatively easy to maintain and repair when necessary.
Whether you’re working on a road construction project or repairing an existing parking lot, proper maintenance is critical to the longevity of your pavement. You can protect your asphalt surfaces from damage by regularly sealing cracks and patching potholes. In addition, you should remove snow and ice promptly to prevent water penetration and ice damage. Before laying asphalt, workers must spray a liquid asphalt binder over the surface to help the pavement create a stronger bond with the base layer. They then use an asphalt paver to spread the material evenly over the surface and compact it using an asphalt roller. The quality of the final pavement depends on several factors, including the thickness of the layer, the mix’s gradation, and how well it is laid and compacted. A good asphalt paving contractor will follow a specific maintenance plan to ensure the highest-quality results.
Long-Lasting
Asphalt paving is one of the most durable surfacing materials available. It resists weather damage, maintains traction in wet conditions, and allows for rapid resurfacing of existing pavements. Asphalt paving is also relatively low-cost. In addition, it’s environmentally friendly. A proper mix design is vital to a successful asphalt paving project. Engineers analyze traffic projections and material gradations to establish a pavement structure’s layer thicknesses. These factors are used to create a mix with the desired performance characteristics. Paving equipment is essential to a smooth and professional-looking surface finish. From pavers to rollers, rakes, and tampers, these tools can be used in combination or separately for the best results. When choosing an asphalt paver, contractors can choose between wheeled and tracked machines depending on the work they’ll be doing. Typically, tracked pavers have more maintenance than wheeled machines because they require more attention to detail, including ensuring that the amount of ballast and air in each tire is the same. This ensures that the tires don’t spin out due to a lack of air pressure or a buildup of ballast from excessive weight.
Affordable
Asphalt is a highly cost-effective paving material for many commercial and residential projects. It is also easy to maintain and can provide better traction than other paving materials during rainstorms and snowfall events, which reduces skidding accidents. Hot mix asphalt is typically shipped from the asphalt plant to the construction site on a truck. Once the material reaches the construction site, it must be used immediately before it cools down or loses its flexibility and ease of use. To help reduce transportation costs, choose a production plant close to the worksite. An asphalt paver requires regular maintenance to ensure it runs smoothly and efficiently. Regularly inspecting and cleaning the equipment helps prevent problems and extends the machine’s life. Contractors should also clean the hoppers, screeds, and augers to remove asphalt buildup that can interfere with paving. Finally, contractors should always use appropriate safety equipment on the job site and follow their asphalt paver’s operations and service manual to avoid injuries. This will ultimately save money and improve paving project performance.
