ForConstructionPros.com

Most pavement maintenance contractors know there are a number of ways to repair potholes. And with advancements in the industry, the use of equipment in pothole repair has become increasingly acceptable, if not the preferred method, because of safety and cost savings.

And the variety of pothole repair equipment available makes it possibole for any interested contractor to match the equipment to the amount of pothole repair work he expects to do.

Hotboxes are an option

For a contractor who prefers filling potholes with virgin hot mix asphalt, a hotbox can be a worthwhile investment. A hotbox helps in the storage and transportation of material, says Ron Jay, vice president and part owner of Process Heating Co. Hotboxes can be heated using an electric heating system or a propane burner. The Patch King from Process Heating is one example of an electric heated hotbox. The electrically heated box keeps mix heated all day, can be used to keep extra mix heated overnight, or even used to heat up cold mix, Jay says.

Spaulding Mfg. also manufactures pothole repair equipment with heated hoppers. Spaulding’s equipment is heated with propane- or diesel-fire burners. The units can be trailer or truck mounted or slid into the back of a truck, says Linda Kwapis, general manager. Spaulding’s units also work with hot or cold mix asphalt to keep the mix heated at a workable temperature. Spaulding also offers a unit that can reclaim asphalt, turning it back into a molten state to be used for another repair. The biggest advantage to using this equipment is the increased production a contractor can get from the material, Kwapis says.