Asphalt Pavers Explained So You Know What You Are Leasing

You cannot deny the beauty that comes with having well-laid paving on your premises. It brings out a sense of organisation and attention to detail about your property. When somebody drives or walks into the place, they can tell the places you want them to manoeuvre without interfering with the vegetation. On that note, one of the materials commonly used for making paved surfaces is asphalt. It boasts immense practicality and durability, staying in place for many years before you can resurface it. Asphalt's dark hue also makes it easy for road users to see markings on the road.

The focus is on asphalt pavers in this piece, which come in handy when you are laying an asphalt road. Read on to learn more:

The Tractor Unit

Essentially, an asphalt paver is a machine used to lay asphalt materials on driveways, roads and parking lots. You can also use them for other construction projects, such as building bridges. One of the primary components of an asphalt paver is the tractor unit. It comprises a receiving hopper, flow regulators, feed conveyors, transmissions and distributing augers. Most importantly, the tractor unit also comes with the engine or power plant that provides the mechanical energy needed by all the other components.

The Working Mechanism

When the asphalt paver is running, the power plant generates enough power to propel the paver. The power is enough to drag the levelling unit, often referred to as the screed. Simultaneously, the transmissions transfer power to other components, allowing them to deposit hot mix into the hopper. A feed conveyor then carries this hot mix via the flow gates towards the augers for distribution on the road.

The Screed Types Available

The screeds are a critical component of asphalt pavers because they are the last point of contact before the materials hit the ground. They are available in different types to suit your paving needs. First, you can opt for a tamping bar type screed. They start by compacting the asphalt mix, striking off unwanted thickness before shoving the material below the screed's plate. Levelling then follows through bevelled and horizontal faces. Secondly, you also have the option of a vibratory type screed. It has the same working mechanism as that of tamping bar screed, only that its compacting forces come from robust electric vibrators. Most models allow the operator to adjust the vibrations per minute (frequency) and the amplitude (range) of vibration. To learn more, contact an asphalt company


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