ForConstructionPros.com

Article

For Construction Pros

A Cygnus Business Media Website

eNewsletters

Features

Home » Asphalt Contractor » October 2006

Bookmark Page Most Read Stories Today

Milling Machine Used in County Road Reclamation

Multifunctional capabilities of Roadtec RX-900 cold planer allows Texas contractor to take on rural county road reclamation project and generate additional return on investment

Roadtec RX-900

RX-900 cold planer pulverizes a 1.5-inch layer of chip seal and works it into the flex base.

Lindsey Contractors used their RX-900 cold planer to pulverize a 1.5-inch layer of chip seal and work it into the flex base all in one operation. Two simple changes from the regular milling mode were made: the front-loading conveyors were turned off and the rear cutter housing door was opened to leave the processed road material on the ground.

During the project, the RX-900 traveled in the forward direction exactly as if they were cold milling with the conveyors turned off. Cutter teeth looked nearly new when the job was completed.

The gradation of milled material will be different, depending on whether the drum is up-cutting or down-cutting. The up-cut material (left) graded evenly from dust on top to two inches on the bottom. The down-cut method placed the larger material on top. The contractor for this project preferred the fine up-cut material.

Read More Features

Technology Products for the Asphalt Industry

Crushing/Screening Equipment Pays the Way

Cutting Through the Infrastructure Investment Fog

By Asphalt Contractor Staff

The crew can mill the first cut in the traditional up-cut mode, crab sideways and mill in the reverse direction in the down-cut mode, rather than turn around or deadhead back to the start. To make the machine even more versatile, an asphalt emulsion package consisting of pumps and meters can be added for cold-in-place recycling work.

Seek manufacturer's help

It's important to note that no tools or machines should ever be used for a purpose they were not intended. You should never modify equipment without the help of the manufacturer. You'll likely void any warranties or service contracts you may have, and an unsafe situation may be created which can jeopardize the crew.

The manufacturer will be able to design modifications in a safe and effective way, and can deliver your machine with them in place.

Roadtec's Vice President of Engineering Dave Swearingen says, "We work with customers on special applications. If there is a way, we'll make it work."

Swearingen's staff has provided solutions from outrigger wheels on mills that work on sloped surfaces such as racetracks to special systems on pavers to keep material and fuel flowing while working on slopes. Another modification Roadtec has successfully provided in the United States and internationally is outfitting the RX-900 cold planer with a reverse gearbox, allowing the milling machine to pull as well as push other equipment as part of recycling train.

previous 1 2 3 4 next