For an asphalt paving undertaking to be successful, you not only require paving knowledge and years of background but also the tools of the trade. Maybe you're interested in what is needed for asphalt paving and whether it's a project you can do yourself. But, truth be told, you need more than some broad knowledge and materials to complete the job well. Our experts on installation, sealcoating, and asphalt repairs in Orlando look at the different kinds of machines that professional paving companies use to produce the perfect blacktop surface:
Before new asphalt can be applied, a significant portion of old asphalt may need to be extracted and recycled—mainly if it is in poor condition. For this job, an asphalt contractor will normally use a reclaimer or stabilizer—a unit that is able to bust down the existing pavement into small, reusable pieces. Then, as the old materials are crushed, the reclaimer can apply them to the sub-base blend and stabilize any inferior soil beneath.
For jobs where most of the existent base materials stay in reasonably good condition, contractors can use a milling machine to grind down the deteriorating top layer of the existing asphalt. Milling machines are able to deliver a smooth and uniform surface that is appropriate for paving, but with sufficient slip-resistance so that traffic can still utilize the surface temporarily.
Once a surface is milled, a sweeper is employed to remove any dust and debris from the surface. Not only does this permit the new asphalt mixture to adequately bond but it also stops small stones from being booted about and potentially harming other vehicles in the process.
Dump trucks are required in order to transport enormous amounts of new asphalt materials from the plant to the job location. There are different trucks for various scenarios and applications. An end dump truck, for instance, is emptied when the bed's front end is raised. On the other hand, a live bottom truck utilizes a conveyor belt for unloading. There are also Material Transfer Vehicles (MTVs), which are frequently used to decrease truck waiting times and to move mixtures quickly.
When asphalt materials reach the site, they are generally transferred from a dump truck or MTV to a paver. This is the apparatus that lays the new asphalt blend and delivers minor compaction. After materials are unloaded from the truck into the paver's hopper, a conveyor belt moves the materials to a set of augers. As the materials are spread and laid out, a floating screed guarantees that they are leveled.
While pavers are able to condense the asphalt mixture to a certain degree, compactors, steel-wheeled rollers, and pneumatic tire rollers are often needed for further compaction. These heavy, low-speed devices apply a massive amount of weight and pressure to the new asphalt to make it robust and durable.
