An asphalt paver has done wonders for not only speeding up the construction of roadways, but it also has allowed for a nice, smooth drive as well, which makes a difference to drivers. The concept is really rather simple: a machine that lays asphalt on roadways and shapes and smooths it to the desired look and feel.
Wagner Used Equipment offers the best used heavy equipment for sale, including used asphalt pavers. Since 1976, we've been serving homeowners and business owners in Colorado, New Mexico, and far west Texas with the best heavy equipment to meet their needs. Driven by our values in action, which include teamwork, excellence, accountability, safety, integrity, and communication, we offer the best customer service. We aim to be your all-inclusive Caterpillar heavy equipment dealer, offering exceptional Cat parts and service to keep your machines in tip-top shape. Below, we'll take a look at the parts of an asphalt paver. Contact our team to learn more today!
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Brief History of Asphalt Pavers
Asphalt as we know it today took about 100 years to develop and fine tune. The first versions of asphalt appeared in 1815 when a Scottish road engineer named John McAdam used small stones, sand, and water smooshed together for road work. The salt in the stones was dissolved by the water, which naturally helped to bind the material together. Later, coal was used instead of water, which is known as tarmac today. However, with the need for a more durable road-building material, modern asphalt was formulated. Here, the aggregate material in asphalt is coated in the binding material before being laid, rather than afterward. This material was dumped and smoothed out with rakes — not exactly yielding a great driving surface.
Mechanical asphalt pavers were introduced in the 1930s with the express purpose of having a smooth surface of asphalt. It consisted of a loader and a mixer on rails that moved across the road's surface. Tracks were added, as well as hydraulic drives for an even smoother surface. Today, 98% of the roads in the United States are made with asphalt, making the asphalt paver a valuable piece of heavy equipment indeed.
PARTS OF AN ASPHALT PAVER
Self-propelled pavers, which is the more popular paver, consists of two major parts: a tractor and a screed.
The Tractor
The job of the tractor is to move the asphalt paver forward and lay the asphalt. It provides all of the power for the asphalt paving job. The tractor consists of many major components itself, including the engine, the hydraulics, the wheels or the tracks, receiving hopper, feeder conveyors, transmissions, operator's seat, and distribution augers (or spreading screws).
The Screed
The sole job of the screed is to ensure an even distribution of the asphalt and to ensure it is level and smooth. The screed is towed by the tractor and includes leveling arms, slope controls, end plates, burners, vibrators, and the moldboard. It is sloped, which allows you to control the depth of the asphalt material laid as well as the amount.
The Hopper
The hopper is where the truck pours the asphalt in preparation to be laid. There are different sizes of hoppers, which ultimately affect the type and the size of the job the asphalt paver can handle, or the speed with which you can perform asphalt paving jobs. There is a hopper apron that helps to prevent the new hot mix being poured in from hitting the pavement right away. From the hopper, the asphalt moves to the screed to be laid. It is important that there is no delay here so the asphalt does not cool off considerably, which could affect its consistency as it’s laid.
The Conveyor
This hot asphalt material then travels to the feed conveyor. The asphalt material must be moved in bulk so that it does not separate. The conveyors take the asphalt material from the bottom of the hopper where sensors are installed to ensure that material is steadily moved to the screed where the auger assembly lives.
The Auger Assembly
The distribution auger or spreading screws take the asphalt and then distribute it out two openings onto the ground evenly. The paver operator controls the entire paver laying process from their chair and the controls. The speed at which the asphalt is laid most often can be controlled via the hydrostatic drive system. This allows the operator to go slow or fast, depending on the need. Caterpillar offers spare Cat parts for all of your heavy equipment needs, including pavers. Visit online to order today!
The Screed
The screed is the part of the asphalt paver that is pulled along behind the paver and smooths out the asphalt as it is being laid. A screed must be well maintained in order to achieve the optimal outcome in uniformity and quality. If a screed is not well maintained, the asphalt can crack prematurely, which will necessitate a repair. There are many components that go into your screed, which include the controls, end or screed plates, leveling arms, burners, vibrators, and a moldboard.
The Levelling Arms
On modern asphalt pavers, there is an automatic leveling system that helps to ensure that the same amount of asphalt is laid so the road is level. The leveling arms help in this process help to ensure the road will indeed be level.
The Vibrators
The job of the vibrators of the screed is to help remove air pockets within the asphalt itself so that you can have a stronger, denser material. This also helps keep out the elements, such as rain, which can cause asphalt to crack prematurely.
The Burners
The job of the burners on a screed is to ensure the asphalt stays hot so that it won't stick to the screed when being poured and to prevent mat tearing. This can not only lead to inconsistencies in the pour, but it can have you re-doing your previous work if there are holes from the asphalt sticking.
The Moldboard
The moldboard's job is to control the flow of the asphalt. If the asphalt cools prematurely, it may not be as pliable when it is laid and will be harder to shape and level.
The Screed Plate
This is the long, flat part of an asphalt paver that flattens and then compresses the asphalt. There are many different types of screed plates available on the market today, each of which has different features for your use. Some are longer and shorter; others mount on the front or the back of the tractor of the asphalt paver.
The Controls
The operator of the asphalt paver is in control of the entire asphalt paving process. In sum, they are responsible for how the paving project turns out. They have to ensure consistency in the screed and material, the speed of the operation, and the amount of material laid. They have to make sure the hopper is staying full so that you don't run out of material while laying asphalt. In the end, they have to ensure the surface is consistent and smooth.
CHOOSE WAGNER USED EQUIPMENT CO FOR YOUR PAVERS TODAY
Wagner Used Equipment offers the best used equipment for sale, including asphalt pavers. We have a wide selection of used pavers for you to choose from. As a licensed Caterpillar dealer, we ensure the reliability and functionality of all of our used equipment for sale. We offer financing on used equipment, as well as warranties, so you have peace of mind that your pavers can get the job done. Our selection is vast, and shopping our used machinery online is easy. You can browse our pavers, get the details and the location of the equipment, and use our live chat feature or call one of our Cat dealers in Colorado, New Mexico, or far west Texas for details. We also offer rental heavy equipment for your short-term needs as well.
When looking for the best used heavy equipment, Wagner Used Equipment has got your solution. We also offer Caterpillar parts online or at each of our Cat dealer locations. We have over 230 field service technicians that can come to your heavy equipment, perform diagnostics, and offer a repair on the spot so you can get your equipment moving again. From fluid analysis to machine control systems, we offer everything you need to serve your customers. If you are interested in our pavers or any of our other used equipment for sale, contact one of our Cat dealers near you today!