ForConstructionPros.com

No matter what industry you work in, change is inevitable. The paving industry is no exception. One area where change seems to be a constant is in equipment. Manufacturers are constantly producing new equipment or updating features on older machines. Pavement decided to take a look at the small and mid-sized paver markets to see what changes and trends are occurring with these pavers.

The consensus seems to be that trends in these markets are filtering down from the larger highway-class pavers. Improved features from larger pavers are starting to be seen on smaller equipment and, in some instances, are even becoming standard for the small and mid-sized pavers.

Brodie Hutchins, general manager for Vogele America, says the reason for this trend is that contractors are starting to stretch the intended use of smaller pavers. Although this may save a contractor in costs, it also causes a paver to work harder resulting in quicker wear. However, manufacturers are taking notice of how contractors are stretching these smaller pavers, and new features are being added to increase the pavers’ usability.

For example, Hutchins says Vogele’s small pavers are now being made with more advanced automation and electric heat in screeds. In the mid-sized market, increased horsepower and more comfortable features and amenities are being added.

Vogele has adopted some of these trends for its Super 700 utility paver, according to Hutchins. The Super 700 is a small paver with a 4-foot paving width, but it also has features found on larger pavers. “It’s got the robust features of a big machine. With those demands we have to make the machines tougher and last longer,” he says. The Super 700 has a generator for electric heat and an integrated leveling system with the controls so that it just plugs right into the machine.