Road Widener, a global manufacturer of road construction equipment, offers the patented FH-R material placement attachment. The remote-controlled design of the attachment allows the operator of the host machine to control the attachment via remote control — enhancing safety by eliminating the danger of additional workers standing along the jobsite. The FH-R is a solution for material placement, dispensing topsoil, gravel, asphalt, limestone and more — all with an attachment compatible with common machines.
“With the current Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal there is a renewed focus on repairing and reconstructing our nation’s roadways,” said Lynn Marsh, Road Widener president. “Now is the time to modernize our infrastructure, making it safer and more resilient. The FH-R allows contractors to get the job done more quickly and efficiently. Our two-step process eliminates the need for grading and sweeping by placing the material right where it needs to go the first time.”
The remote-controlled attachment connects to most skid steers, compact track loaders, road graders and wheel loaders, operating off the host machine’s engine and hydraulics. It is available in left, right or dual dispensing configurations to take on roadways. The attachment is designed for a variety of tasks including backfilling, road widening, road shoulder repairs, remediation and aggregate placement. The material is poured into the hopper at the top of the FH-R and then dispensed via remote control in adjustable lay-down widths from 1-ft. to 6-ft. (.3 to 1.8 m). The attachment dispenses up to 20 tons of material in under 10 minutes.
“Our customers often tell us the swift capabilities of the FH-R have a tremendous effect on their business,” Marsh said. “With labor shortages spiking, contractors are often running with a lean crew. However, the demand for infrastructure remediation is only rising. The FH-R helps to solve this challenge by efficiently and precisely laying material with only one operator. Some of our customers can lay up to five linear miles a day with our machine, making it truly a game-changer for any business, no matter the size.”
The FH-R works with standard and high-flow hydraulics and has five grease fittings to maintain. The compact size of the FH-R attachment supports transport with a common trailer that is towable by a standard pickup truck. Additionally, the FH-R’s small footprint decreases traffic disturbance and danger on busy highways and narrow backroads.
