Paver Information

What is Paver

A paver (or paving machine) is heavy construction equipment used to lay and distribute asphalt, concrete, or other road surfaces uniformly. It ensures precise thickness and compaction for roads, parking lots, and other flat surfaces.

History of Paver

Pavers evolved from manual labor to advanced machinery:

• Early 1900s: Horse-drawn asphalt spreaders for basic road construction.
• 1930s: Barber-Greene Company developed the first self-propelled asphalt paver.
• 1960s: Introduction of hydrostatic drives and automatic grade controls.
• 2000s: GPS-guided pavers with millimeter-level accuracy.

Purpose of Paver

Key applications include:

• Road Construction: Highways, urban roads, and airport runways.
• Surface Rehabilitation: Repairing potholes and damaged pavement.
• Specialized Paving: Bike lanes, pedestrian walkways, and industrial flooring.

Principle of Paver

Operation involves three stages:

• Material Feeding: Hot mix asphalt/concrete is loaded into the hopper.
• Spreading: Augers distribute material evenly across the screed's width.
• Compaction: Vibrating screed pre-compacts the surface before roller finalization.

Features of Paver

Modern pavers incorporate:

• Auto Grade/Slope Control: Laser or sonic sensors maintain surface accuracy.
• Eco-Mode Engines: Reduce fuel consumption by 15-20% during idle times.
• Heated Screeds: Prevent material sticking in cold conditions.
• Telematics: Remote monitoring of machine performance and location.

Types of Paver

Common classifications:

• Asphalt Pavers: Track-type (for soft ground) vs wheel-type (for paved surfaces).
• Concrete Slipform Pavers: For continuous concrete pours (airports, highways).
• Specialty Pavers:
  • Curve pavers with articulating screeds
  • Mini-pavers for narrow spaces

Precautions for using Paver

Critical safety measures:

• Temperature Control: Asphalt must be ≥140°C during laying.
• Screed Maintenance: Regular cleaning to prevent material buildup.
• Ground Checks: Verify subbase stability to prevent machine sinking.
• PPE: Heat-resistant gloves and ear protection for operators.

Things to consider when purchasing Paver

Selection factors:

• Project Scale: Pavers range from 2.5m (mini) to 16m (highway) widths.
• Material Type: Asphalt vs concrete paver compatibility.
• Technology Package: 3D control systems vs basic manual controls.
• Dealer Support: Availability of spare parts and service teams.

Terms of Paver

Key technical terms:

• Screed: The floating plate that shapes and compacts the material.
• Mat: The layer of material deposited by the paver.
• Head of Material: Optimal material volume in front of the screed.
• Segregation: Uneven aggregate distribution – critical quality metric.