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The integrated leveling system gives the paver more precision on the mat. “It makes contractors’ lives easier. With material management, they don’t have to do as many things feeding the machine. They kind of put the machine on autopilot because the augers and conveyors really monitor themselves, and the leveling allows the screed to do its own thing,” Hutchins says.

The Super 700’s hopper has been designed so it can do several different jobs, he adds. This helps the paver to accommodate different types of work such as tight places or shoulder work. With Vogele’s mid-sized pavers - the 2111W, 2116T, and 2116W - Hutchins says they will soon have more maintenance free features common on larger pavers.

Contractors doing larger jobs where precision is important are going to benefit from Vogele’s improvements to its equipment, Hutchins says. And although Vogele originally thought the Super 700 would be purchased mostly by commercial contractors, Hutchins says the customer base is actually split between commercial paving, highway paving, and utility contractors. The Super 700 allows these contractors to do jobs other than the main large job, he adds.

A focus on electronics is another noticeable trend in the small and mid-sized paver markets. VT LeeBoy, for example, offers electronic steering in its 8500, 8510, 8515, and 8816 conveyor fed paver models, according to Mike Lee, VT LeeBoy research and development. LeeBoy has also introduced the Legend Electric Screed heating system to these pavers.

This screed heating system uses an electric generator instead of propane to heat the screed. “The electric screed heat eliminates fumes, flame, and fuel and is safer and easier to use for the operator,” Lee says. “Electric heat is more evenly distributed across the length of the main screed plate and extension plates,” he adds.