Asphalt Contractor May 2021

MAY 2021

Benefits of Using

LIVE-BOTTOM TRAILERS to Haul Asphalt

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TOP 30 EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARDS www.ForConstructionPros.com/Asphalt ACON0521_01_CoverFinal_JD.indd 1

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TABLE OF CONTENTS |

MAY 2021

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COVER STORY Benefits of Using Live-Bottom Trailers to Haul Asphalt These trailers can increase safety, decrease unloading times and improve operations for paving contractors. | 38 TECHNOLOGY MATTERS

PRODUCTION NOTES

10 Mobile Technology Improves Jobsite Productivity

PRESERVATION UPDATE

48 Louisiana Contractor Finds Flexibility in Preservation Treatments

As the industry evolves to do more work with fewer resources, technology is adapting to help achieve better results in less time.

With their previous equipment unable to meet their current needs, Material Resources purchased new equipment to improve their versatility.

32 Developing an OSHA-Compliant Respiratory Plan at Your Asphalt Plant

SPECIAL REPORT: TOP 30 EDITOR’S CHOICE PRODUCTS

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It’s more important now than ever before to have the best equipment in your fleet to stay competitive. These Top 30 Products represent both the tried and true and the new and improved.

In the midst of the COVID19 pandemic, companies must continue to ensure compliance with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection and Respirable Crystalline Silica standards, especially at the asphalt plant as obligations for engineering controls commences June 23.

W p p a t y

IN EVERY ISSUE 8

Editor’s Perspective

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58 The Last Exit

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BACK IN THE MIX

With over a century of innovation to its credit, Blaw-Knox pavers have earned a reputation for quality, durability and performance unmatched in the industry. Today, with its new and improved highway-class designs, Blaw-Knox continues to deliver on its promise with all the performance features you’ve come to expect from an industry leader.

BLAW-KNOX, THE LEGACY LIVES ON. Blaw-Knox Corporation 1280 Superior Avenue Chambersburg, PA 17201 Tel. 717-400-7900 www.blawknox.com

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DIGITAL CONNECTION www.ForConstructionPros.com/Asphalt

[VIDEO] Catch Up on Hops & Highways Hops & Highways is your weekly newscast dedicated to the road building industry.

Join us each week as we share the latest industry news, provide contractors with best practices and share your hard work for Build America Friday.

Industry Responds to Biden Infrastructure Plan

Search: ForConstructionPros.com/ Videos/Hops-Highways

The American Jobs Plan is a comprehensive infrastructure package that will create millions of good paying jobs and make America more competitive.

Here’s a breakdown of the proposed spending and potential issues with the plan.

Search: 21354718

Choosing the Right Soil Compaction Equipment Having the right equipment on hand will ensure you’re laying a solid base for your project.

Search: 21319523

Industry Groups Urge User-Based Fee to Pay for Infrastructure Past practices of highway trust fund bailouts and an overly broad federal gas tax won’t be a good match for what is already under-funded highway infrastructure the coalition says.

Search: 21366533

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CONTRACTOR WWW.FORCONSTRUCTIONPROS.COM/ASPHALT WWW.FORCONSTRUCTIONPROS.COM/ASPHALT

Get social with us! Share pictures of what you’re working with over 29,000 other asphalt contractors on our Facebook page: Facebook.com/ Asphalt.Contractor/

CONTRACTOR LATEST INNOVATIONS FOR ASPHALT PROFESSIONALS

LATEST INNOVATIONS INNOVATIONS FOR FOR ASPHALT ASPHALT PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS LATEST

ASPHALT ASPHALT

MAY 2021 Vol. 35, No. 4

CONTRACTOR CONTRACTOR LATEST INNOVATIONS FOR ASPHALT PROFESSIONALS

LATEST INNOVATIONS FOR ASPHALT PROFESSIONALS LATEST INNOVATIONS FOR ASPHALT PROFESSIONALS

Published by AC Business Media.

Asphalt

Asphalt CONTRACTOR

CONTRACTOR

201 N. Main Street, Fifth Floor Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 (800) 538-5544 • www.ACBusinessMedia.com LATEST INNOVATIONS FOR ASPHALT PROFESSIONALS www.ForConstructionPros.com/Asphalt LATEST INNOVATIONS INNOVATIONS FOR FOR ASPHALT ASPHALT PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS LATEST

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Published and copyrighted 2021 by AC Business Media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.

Asphalt Contractor (ISSN 1055-9205, USPS 0020-688): is published ten times per year: January, February, March/April, May, June/July, August, September, October, November, December, with an additional Buyer’s Guide issue published in August by AC Business Media, 201 N. Main Street, Fifth Floor, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin 53538.

Periodicals postage paid at Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin and additional entry offices.

POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to ASPHALT CONTRACTOR, PO Box 3605, Northbrook, Illinois 60065-3605.

Printed in the U.S.A. SUBSCRIPTION POLICY: Individual subscriptions are available without charge only in the USA. The Publisher reserves the right to reject nonqualifying subscribers. One-year subscription to nonqualifying individuals: U.S. $45.00, Canada & Mexico $65.00, and $95.00 all other countries (payable in U.S. funds, drawn on U.S. bank). Single copies available (prepaid only) $10.00 each (U.S., Canada & Mexico), $15.00 each (International).

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CONTRACTOR

EDITOR’S PERSPECTIVE

LATEST INNOVATIONS FOR ASPHALT PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS LATEST LATEST INNOVATIONS INNOVATIONS FOR ASPHALT PROFESSIONALS

MAY 2021 • Vol. 35, No. 4

ASPHALT

CONTRACTOR

Jessica Lombardo, Editor-In-Chief

LATEST PROFESSIONALS LATEST INNOVATIONS FOR ASPHALTPROFESSIONALS LATEST INNOVATIONS FOR ASPHALT

jLombardo@ACBusinessMedia.com 920.542.1247

Published by AC Business Media

Top 30 Products Help Ease Asphalt CONTRACTOR Contractor Pain Points

201 N. Main Street | Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 800.538-5544 • www.ACBusinessMedia.com LATEST INNOVATIONS INNOVATIONS FOR FOR ASPHALT ASPHALT PROFESSIONALS PROFESSIONALS LATEST PROFESSIONALS LATEST www.ForConstructionPros.com/Asphalt

It’s more important now than ever before to have the best equipment in your fleet to stay competitive

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ext to your employees, your equipment fleet is one of the most important aspects of your company that you manage every day. It's the lifeblood of your business and making the right equipment choices can mean the difference between a profit or a loss on any given project.

Every asphalt contractor has his or her favorite piece of equipment. Some pieces have proven their prowess for adding profits. Others are popular for their ease of use and high productivity. And then there are those exciting new introductions which offer the latest innovations.

To honor those products which achieve those ideals, we bring you Asphalt Contractor's Top 30 Editor's Choice Awards each year. On page 20 of this issue, you'll find a selection of equipment and tools chosen by our editorial staff for meeting a set of criteria, including longevity and consistency in the market, productivity and innovation.

As you browse the pages, you'll notice the emphasis this year on innovations and new technology. There were a lot of great product introductions in the last 12 months and you all took note by requesting additional information on those products and sharing our social media announcements.

And since it's more important now than ever before to make sure the equipment and technologies you use each day are dependable, you'll also see products listed that have been proven by contractors over the years chosen as well.

To gauge your preferences, we also factored in how much interest these products received on the Buyer's Guide at ForConstructionPros. com/Asphalt.

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We offer key points of interest on our website about the features and benefits of each of our winners. For more information, including videos, brochures and more, on any of our winners, visit ForConstructionPros.com/ Asphalt and simply search its numerical code.

Don't forget that thousands of other products of every type and category are available in our Buyer's Guide there as well.

BE READY TO COMPETE Innovation happens in the construction industry very quickly. Adoption of such innovation however is not something we’re very good at. Asphalt contractors are continually given options to improve their productivity and bottom line with new equipment and technology, but many times choose to continue to do things the old way.

One way asphalt contractors and producers can keep up with our ever-changing industry is by familiarizing themselves with the newest equipment upgrades and technology the industry has to offer. Manufacturers are working hard to make your job easier.

Still on the fence about new equipment and technology? Consider 2021 your wake up call. With a possible infrastructure bill coming this year, things are going to pick up quickly and if you don't have the right equipment and technology on hand, your company won't be able to compete.

Companies that invest in their people, technology and the equipment needed to get the job done will be poised for another successful year.

Keep in touch this season: jlombardo@ acbusinessmedia.com

Publication Staff Publisher

Amy Schwandt aschwandt@ACBusinessMedia.com

Editor In-Chief

Jessica Lombardo jlombardo@ACBusinessMedia.com

Associate Editor

Dormie Roberts droberts@ACBusinessMedia.com

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Cindy Rusch

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Advertising Sales (800) 538-5544 Kris Flitcroft

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ForConstructionPros.com Editor

Larry Stewart

Managing Editor

Kimberly Hegeman

Change of Address & Subscriptions PO Box 3605, Northbrook, IL 60065-3605, Phone: (877) 201-3915 • Fax: 847-291-4816 circ.AsphaltContractor@omeda.com

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TECHNOLOGY MATTERS |

JESSICA LOMBARDO, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

j-mel /AdobeStock

MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

Improves Jobsite Productivity As the industry evolves to do more work with fewer resources, technology is adapting to help achieve better results in less time

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he construction industry has always been slow to adopt technology. While this may have been acceptable in the past, the increasing amount of challenges infrastructure projects are facing these days requires the use of advanced technologies to ensure both project accuracy and jobsite efficiency.

Si Katara, president and co-founder of HeadLight, started his company recognizing the challenges our industry faces to get work done and the old school mindset of how we go about doing it.

"This is an industry that my team is passionate about," Katara said. "We've gone through different pivots, different research with public institutions, like state DOTs, to try and figure out one of the most impactful places that we could actually create product-based tools to help construction companies move the bar."

Katara and his team spent months meeting with construction business owners, DOTs and municipalities to look at what their existing processes were and what they needed to do to deliver projects. The team found that many existing processes were still predominantly paper-based.

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Project inspector at a State DOT HeadLight Technologies

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Introducing The All-New 2021 LeeBoy 8520 Raised on Blacktop® Special Edition Paver.

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TECHNOLOGY MATTERS

StreetsLA is using online technology to speed up the inspection process on street projects.

Edwin Folven

"We really wanted to understand what the business challenges were so we spent six months in the field," Katara said. "Before we wrote a line of code or designed a single interface, we really wanted to learn what was the process and the communications up the stack from inspectors to chiefs, project engineers to management, to complete the project delivery. And we saw just an incredible opportunity to apply technology to help solve that problem."

From their research, the team developed HeadLight, a photo-based inspection technology that can be used on projects to quickly and efficiently capture project data. This encourages greater collaboration between stakeholders, quickly resolves problem areas, minimizes disputes – and ultimately ensures successful, on-time project completion.

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HOW IT WORKS The majority of project information collection today is done using a notebook to store information about a project. These notes are then handentered into a computer at the end of the day in a time-consuming and inefficient process.

"Paper-based operations are not only inefficient, but it's almost impossible to integrate and share all that information in a timely manner," Katara said.

"HeadLight flips this form-based mentality on it's head allowing field staff to capture events as they occur naturally, not as the paper-based form is laid out."

Katara said what comes from this method of data entry is close to a Facebook feed for your project with photos being a core pillar of the technology. These photos are used to help project stakeholders communicate and communicate quickly.

"All of this information is also wrapped in the context of the project," he said. "You get automatic location information, automatic timestamping and you can tie all that information directly to contract relevant items.

This also allows the information that's collected in real-time on a project to be used for many different purposes.

That information is now available for state DOTs or public owners so they can share it directly with contractors for real-time issue resolution and things can get fixed much more quickly."

These time-savings can add up fairly quickly and in monetizable ways.

"With HeadLight, they can literally push a button and be done and go home after they've been collecting information throughout the day, which saves them almost an hour and a half of extra time each day as opposed to hand-entering the information. So there’s a big administrative savings

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TECHNOLOGY MATTERS

“Inspectors at the Louisiana Department of Transportation experienced a 28% increase in productivity when using HeadLight for daily work reports.” there," Katara said. "On the flip side, with the owners using it, they can share the information the state is collecting and allow contractors to see it in realtime as well. As a result, there's no extra work for the contractor, they get access to a whole rich set of information and they know what the state is seeing and what they are noting as items that need to be addressed. And what it does is it basically creates a second set of eyes for the contractor through the state's eyes."

IMMEDIATE IMPACT This technology was recently put to the test by the Louisiana Department

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of Transportation and Development (DOTD). The state's research department found that inspectors using the HeadLight photo-based inspection technology experienced a 28% increase in productivity when creating and submitting daily work reports that provide an overview of project progress.

The increase in productivity for department-wide adoption is estimated to produce 117,000 hours per year that can be leveraged to accelerate additional projects for the taxpayers of Louisiana.

“It is critical that our employees are equipped with tools that enable them to do their jobs more effectively,” said

Shawn Wilson, department secretary at the DOTD. “Not only do we need to ensure all infrastructure projects are safe, but we want to execute them efficiently, so we minimize disruptions to residents and spend taxpayer dollars responsibly.

Leveraging innovative technology enabled our agency to be more productive. Further, we can continue to leverage and analyze information for future projects to ensure we’re applying past learnings to the management of new projects.”

In addition to supporting infrastructure projects across the state, the partnership between DOTD and HeadLight also played a critical role in addressing the devastation caused

by Hurricane Laura and a historic

Leveraging paperless technology helps workers to be more productive each day.

HeadLight Technologies

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BOMAP

JOBLINK

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TECHNOLOGY MATTERS hurricane season in 2020.

According to Entergy, the DOTD faced thousands of miles of impacted roadways and more than 360,000 people in Louisiana were without power after Hurricane Laura hit. The power outages across the state disrupted legacy systems, making it impossible to access them. However, HeadLight is a cloud-

Se ven tyfo ur/A dobe Stock

based solution, so the dedicated DOTD employees were able to access the system and view real-time updates from their colleagues across the region. DOTD’s strategic use of advanced cloud-based technology and HeadLight’s ability to customize its platform enabled the agency to complete 1.1 million cu. yds. of debris cleanup following Hurricane Laura even with Hurricane Delta bearing down on the state.

The study also revealed that inspectors using HeadLight collected and shared 1.9 times more jobsite

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information while increasing the number of photos and other media observations, which contributes to a more complete record of the project.

With more details about projects, employees and contractors can collaborate more effectively and readily address challenges as well as easily prevent issues, disputes and claims made in relation to a project. Since adopting the technology, DOTD has reduced claims by more than 75%, ensuring the agency’s funds are spent on the development of projects and issues are addressed quickly and in partnership with contractors.

CHANGE IS GOOD Change in the asphalt industry has been slow and difficult, but as technology like HeadLight is proving, processes can and should be completed more efficiently with the technology available.

"We've been doing things in a certain way for so long, that just changing whatever it is, whether it's a technology-based or process-based change, that change is just a difficult thing to make happen, especially at the organization level," Katara said. "No matter what change you make, you have to communicate those changes in a way that creates a very clear understanding to contractors, or to whoever the stakeholder is, on what is the benefit and the practical impact of the change that you want to make.

On the DOT side, if we can say this change is going to save you an hour and a half a day and you get to go home and see your kids softball game, that resonates. And that helps with getting through change."

Katara notes that any technologybased change being made in this industry needs to be accompanied by proper training. HeadLight first works to identify problems a specific organization wants to solve, maps out how to use the product to do it and then takes the technology out in the field where they validate it with the end user.

"This isn't an industry where you can just throw technology at people and then walk the other way," he said.

"We take a very hand in glove approach to be in the field with them, to help them make that connection of what's the practical business problem that they are dealing with every day and how does HeadLight technology rise to the occasion to help them meet that and do it better. And it's that environment on the jobsite that really makes those connections occur. When you do it that way, it really helps to ease that burden of change, because you're going all the way to the ground level."

HeadLight also created a Best Practices Guide that they use to help train and create consistency across the organization for everyone that uses it.

While change can be hard, it's going to be essential for our industry to find success using technology since the environment we are in changes every day.

"Fingers crossed, we may actually have alignment for a long term infrastructure package for the first time in a long time," Katara said.

"If we are able to secure a long term investment in infrastructure, there's going to be a flood of work and activity that will come with a long term plan.

With that raised level of activity, it's going to be really hard to deliver what we're going to be required to deliver as an industry without innovation, without technology and without really thinking about creative solutions to be much more effective and much more efficient."

For more information on mobile technology, visit ForConstructionPros. com/21366442

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SPECIAL REPORT

Top 30 Editor’s Choice Awards

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or seven years now, Asphalt Contractor Magazine has chosen the Top 30 Editor’s Choice Awards. These products represent the equipment and innovations contractors have put to the test and say they can’t work without. We consider what products they’re searching for most on our website, ForConstructionPros.com, what equipment they’re sharing photos of on our social media pages and those recent equipment innovations that are gaining attention and traction on the jobsite.

The result is a breadth of products that represent the new and improved as well as the tried and true. We hope these products help you get some ideas on what equipment might be a good addition to your fleet this year.

HAMM HP Series Pneumatic Rollers The HP 180 and HP 180i pneumatic tire rollers offer operating weights of 8t to a maximum of 18t and the HP 280 and HP 280i feature operating weights between 10t and a maximum of 28t.

• Modern, spacious operator's platform or panoramic cabin with maximum visibility • Operating weight quickly adjustable to suit the asphalt type, layer thickness and application with flexible ballasting • User guidance assisted by the unambiguous color-coded grouping • Drive control via a joystick ergonomically positioned on the armrest ForConstructionPros.com/21064550

Etnyre Era Live-Bottom Belt Trailer The redesigned Live-Bottom Belt Trailer includes an aluminum huckbolted bogie to reduce weight, fatigue and corrosion.

• Polymer belt flashing is easy to adjust and replace • Smooth exterior bin sides for a clean and aerodynamic look • Hardox interior bin walls resist wear and extend the life of the trailer • Optional stainless-steel bin walls available • Eight-chain drive system with a one-piece asphalt-rated high-temp belt ForConstructionPros.com/21259916

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Systems Equipment ADP-100 Drum Mix Process System Designed to proportion aggregates and additives according to prescribed mix design formulas, and to measure and control the liquid asphalt mass flow rate, so blends are accurately interlocked to the measured aggregate flow.

• Available with text-based format or with a Windows-Based Graphics enhanced User Interface • Integral belt scale totalizers • Direct interface to all brands of asphalt pump skids and metering devices • Asphalt tank inventory and selection monitor ForConstructionPros. com/20864799

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BOMAG BM 2500/75 Milling Machine Big on production, the BM 2500/75 is a flexible half-lane mill that offers a range of standard, fine, micro and power drum designs to meet a variety of milling needs.

• Powered by a 771-hp diesel engine with efficient mechanical drum drive for the 98.4-in wide cutter to deliver cutting depths of 13.8 in • Three milling speeds – ECO (100 rpm); Universal (112 rpm); and Speed (131 rpm) – providing optimum balance between productivity and efficiency

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Earthwave Fleetwatcher Materials Management Solution

CMI E3 RAP-STAR Series Drum Mixer

This wireless telematics system for paving contractors uses load cycle analysis to allow users to see where problems are occurring and correct them in real time.

• Electronic ticketing helps eliminate points of contact and ticket transfers inherent with paper ticketing programs • Creates individual scale tickets and provides material haul summaries for statefunded roadway projects • Provides accurate and timely reporting and scale ticket integration • Tickets and summary reports are available via cell phone • Integrates with popular accounting and payroll applications and scale systems ForConstructionPros.com/12294134

Carlson Paving EZIV Front Mount Screed The Carlson EZIV Screed provides contractors a reliable, heavy duty screed platform for commercial, municipal and highway-class applications.

• Available in 8-ft. and 10-ft. models, the EZIV can be mounted to all current North American models offered by the major paver manufacturers • The screed can also be retrofitted on to nearly any previous North American highway-class paver, combining the leading performance of the EZIV with your fleet’s dependable workhorse ForConstructionPros. com/21342414

Tarmac Tri-Mix Warm Mix System Tarmac's Tri-Mix is a simple yet effective warm mix injection system.

• Injects water at up to 2000 psi • Delivers consistent, lower viscosity AC giving you better coating at lower temperatures • Lower mix temperatures can save 20% on burner fuel costs • Simple design and non-corroding components make the Tri-Mix virtually maintenance free • Fast installation and integration • Continuous compressed air purge when not in use • Standard controls with optional PLC controls ForConstructionPros. com/21342410

Gencor EQUINOX Burner The EQUINOX™ combustion system can significantly reduce or totally eliminate the use of Flue Gas Re-circulation (FGR), by a primary stage pre-mix accumulator and a second stage patented injection system.

• The result is a more stable combustion flame with little to no effect on the exhaust system of the process • This equates to more productivity with the same exhaust system • Like all Genco burners, the EQUINOX™ is completely pre-assembled on a steel unitized frame for ease of installation

The CMI E3 RAP-Star range of portable and stationary counter-flow drum mixers, with capacities from 200 to 600 tons per hour, combines high productivity and high percentage RAP capabilities due to its unique early entry RAP design.

• The E3 RAP-Star’s combination of early heating and blending of RAP with pre-heated virgin aggregate in the outer shell and introduction of super-heated aggregate into the final mixing section provides the ultimate in counter-flow drying technology resulting in unrivalled fuel efficiency, positioning the E3 as the industry leader in low emissions

• The early entry RAP design and unique material flow through the industry’s longest mixing and blending zone enables the drum to produce premium mix quality with high RAP percentages and substantial fuel savings • Reduced fuel usage due to efficient heat transfer • Reduced cost per ton through increased RAP usage • Fully bolted flighting for ease of maintenance • Easy access to the enhanced RAP mixing zone from inside or outside of drum • Abrasion resistant materials throughout to increase working life • Easy retro-fit to existing CMI, Cedarapids and Standard Havens drum frames ForConstructionPros. com/12320479

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MAY 2021 ASPHALT CONTRACTOR

21 4/19/21 10:13 AM

SPECIAL REPORT ALmix Insignia Control System

ADM RAP Recycle System Improve the cost efficiency of your plant and boost RAP utilization with the ADM Recycle System.

• Available in various portable and relocatable configurations, designed to tackle the many mix specifications you handle • System allows your operation to produce hotmix asphalt with as much as 50 percent recycled material • Multiple capacities available to suit almost any operation • All-welded recycle bin can be reinforced with optional grizzly bars for superior durability • Steeply sloped sidewalls prevent material plugging and bridging • Standard 45- to 65-ft. long, heavy-duty weigh conveyor with channel frame provides extra stability • Optional lump breaker with replaceable tungsten-tipped teeth break down large pieces of RAP into usable size • Available options include, air cannons, bin vibrators, bin extensions, bin liners, bulkheads and more

The ALmix Insignia Control System (ICS) is where powerful tools meet a simple user-experience. ICS features the very latest in asphalt plant automation technology within the framework of an easy-to-navigate, point-and-click design.

A comprehensive main screen is paired with a series of information-infused, operator-focused screens available at the click of a mouse. The optional ALmix mobile application allows management real-time remote viewing of plant data and critical plant information.

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GSSI PaveScan 2.0 Asphalt Density Assessment Tool PaveScan 2.0 incorporates a new sensor design built specifically for the extremes of the asphalt paving environment, foldable deployment arms with high-visibility for work site safety and has a warm-up time of under one minute when ambient temperature is over 70° F. • PaveScan RDM is ideal for uncovering problems that occur during the paving process, including poor uniformity and significant variations in density • By avoiding these problems, PaveScan RDM helps avoid premature failures ForConstructionPros. com/21119999

Ammann Dynamic RAP Addition Module

• Automatic plant start-up and shutdown with sequence interlock • Multi-point capability for all calibrations • Burner ignition sequence and fault display • Automatic burner control with start-up and firing percentage • VFD exhauster control with speed percentage and drum negative pressure status • Automatic baghouse cleaning control with baghouse differential pressure status • Automatic batcher and silo selection control • Interlocks, warnings, settable limits and logs for added safety • No flow switches to alert for an empty or blocked bin

A unique product for effectively handling RAP content in various proportions and in varying conditions is the Ammann Dynamic RAP Addition.

• This module is part of Ammann’s proprietary as1 Control System • Dynamic RAP Addition allows modification of the RAP ratio – even during production runs • The system helps plant operation and quality assurance staff compensate for the qualitative and quantitative attributes of the RAP being used ForConstructionPros. com/21259495

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Roadtec RX-505 Cold Planer The 610-hp RX-505e/ex half-lane cold planer is a lightweight, maneuverable machine suited for a range of milling applications.

• Capable of cutting 79 or 86 in. wide and up to 13 in. deep • Comfortable operator seats are height adjustable and easily stowed for more standing room • Rear object detection is designed to stop the mill if a person or object is detected behind the machine while it is in reverse and includes additional sensors and ground level buttons allowing crew members to disable reverse if needed.

Pl M

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Times have changed Give your asphalt plants the brainpower they deserve. The MindsTronicTM family of automation systems optimizes production, collects key performance indicators, standardizes workflows, simplifies maintenance, allows the standardization of operator training, and improves workplace collaboration.  Drums, Batches, Combos, Emulsion & Liquid terminals  Loadout, (e)Ticketing, Cloud-based Desktop & Mobile Apps  Proven industrial PC, Fieldbus & sub-concepts technology  Professional hotline & remote support

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4/19/21 10:14 AM

SPECIAL REPORT Bergkamp M310E Truck-Mounted Slurry Seal and Micro Surfacing Paver

Astec Voyager 140 Portable Asphalt Plant

Bergkamp's M310E Tier 4 truckmounted slurry seal and micro surfacing paver with EMCAD (Electronic Mix Control And Diagnostic) is developed from the original M210 paver but features PTO-driven hydraulic pumps, eliminating the side engine.

• Direct-drive hydraulics • EMCAD System manages power inputs and electronically controls material outputs • Displays current and average material ratios, total material used and material application rates • Electronically self-diagnoses and displays indication lights and diagnostics and produces on-demand and end-of-day reports ForConstructionPros.com/21106523

Wirtgen Group W 240 CR / W 240 CRi Cold Recycler

Caterpillar COMMAND for Soil Compaction Cat COMMAND for Compaction is an operator-assisted technology that automates the soil compaction process, maintaining constant speed and correct pass count with consistent and precise overlap for enhanced compaction quality.

• Available as a dealer-installed kit on new and existing B-Series vibratory soil compactors • In-cab display with intuitive touchscreen interface allows easy setup as the system connects to common base stations with no back office or design needed • Controls propulsion, steering and vibration of the machine based on predetermined compaction parameters • Integrated object detection system alerts operator if an object is in the pathway ForConstructionPros. com/21086839

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ASPHALT CONTRACTOR MAY 2021

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The helical design of the Wirtgen W 240 CRi milling and mixing rotor transports the mix to the center and then to the paving unit via the primary conveyor.

The spreading auger distributes it evenly in front of the variable paving screed, which ensures that the mix is paved true to line and level.

• The heavyduty milling and mixing unit is ideally suited for both the down-cut process (recycling) and up-cut process (milling) • The extremely hard-wearing HT22 quick-change toolholder system increases productivity. In addition, the Multiple Cutting System MCS EXTEND for different working widths maximizes machine utilization • State-of-the-art injection systems with adjustable injection pressure, innovative process water monitoring for the different injection systems, and an automatic self-cleaning and flushing feature can be relied on to produce high-quality base layers ForConstructionPros. com/21122219

The Voyager 140 can produce up to 140 tph with up to 50% RAP. • Portable plant can be transported and set up and tested in about a weeks time due to fixed duct work

• Double Barrel Drum with standard V-Flights provide uniformity of aggregate veil for effective and efficient heat transfer ForConstructionPros. com/21064763

MINDS, Inc. DrumTronic Asphalt Plant Automation & Controls The Minds Drumtronic asphalt plant automation system is suitable for all makes, models and mechanical configurations.

• Drumtronic optimizes production, collects key performance indicators, standardizes workflows, simplifies maintenance, uniformizes operator training and improves workplace communication • The software is engineered to bring the best practices in all production phases but is never opaque or too overriding

• Drums, batches, combos, emulsion plants and liquid terminals • Loadout, e-ticketing, cloud-based desktop and mobile apps • Proven industrial PC, Fieldbus and sub-concept technologies

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we

Engineered Innovation.

From innovative designs to Caterpillar dealer service and support, Weiler is paving the way to success for contractors across North America. Weiler’s material transfer vehicles, commercial pavers, road wideners, windrow elevators, static split-drum compactors, soil stabilizers, rock drills, tack distributors and front mount screeds are engineered with innovative features to increase productivity while reducing operating costs.

Weiler equipment is sold and serviced exclusively at Caterpillar dealers throughout North America.

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4/19/21 10:15 AM

SPECIAL REPORT Sentinel GPS Truck/Asset Management Solution

Dynapac CO5200 VI Oscillation Roller The CO5200 Generation VI doubledrum roller with oscillation allows the operator to select the system that is most suitable for the application.

• 25,798 lbs oscillation roller • Drum shell fabricated from Hardox 450 abrasion-resistant steel • Cummins QSF3.8 IV/T4f engine • Balanced operating mass for the front and rear modules helps reduce roller marks and deliver a consistently compacted surface with every pass • Can reach ground speeds of up to 7.5 mph ForConstructionPros. com/21120765

Stansteel Hotmix Parts & Service AccuTrack Advantage Control Accu-Track Advantage Control is a comprehensive system for controlling your entire plant, from proportioning the cold feed bins to selecting the storage silos and everything in between.

• With today’s high production rates

With nearly 100 years combined expertise, Command Alkon and Libra Systems have joined forces to make it simple for materials suppliers to improve efficiency, maximize production and delivery operations and benefit from supply chain visibility. The Sentinel GPS Truck/Asset Management Solution allows users to gain more visibility into high-value trucking and hauling assets through one integrated, cloud-based solution.

• Streamline your asset management tasks—saving time and money while improving asset utilization • Visual displays of truck status across all orders so that you’re always in the know • Choose what works for you or mix and match based on internal/ external fleet • Options for simplistic vehicle mounted hardware or driver app • Asset tracking available via smart device, including mobile tickets with signature capture • Exchange eTickets that meet DOT specifications ForConstructionPros.com/21108646

Invigorate Asphalt Rejuvenator Invigorate Asphalt Rejuvenator from Colorbiotics is a new soybean oil-derived additive that triggers chemical reactions inside recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) and stiff binders to break down asphaltene aggregation and reverse the effects of oxidation in the final mix.

• Improves the chemical properties of lower-quality binders, addressing aged elements within RAP • This technology, developed at Iowa State University, improves recyclability of asphalt while still meeting PG and performance-testing specifications • When using high percentages of RAP, Invigorate rejuvenator makes the asphalt more flexible while maintaining its durability and rut resistance ForConstructionPros.com/21201105

WEM Analytics

and stringent state specifications, it is essential that all possible control be provided to insure maximum plant operation with minimum downtime and superior mix quality • Designed, programmed, manufactured and supported in USA ForConstructionPros. com/21205088

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ASPHALT CONTRACTOR MAY 2021

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WEM Analytics is a manager’s go-to tool to help identify the operational opportunities that have the greatest impact to production.

• Web-based software that can be accessed by a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphones’ web browser • Easy drag n’ drop interface lets you create additional dashboards for monitoring various functional areas of your plant, across any time span • Data is accessed from your automation control system, both PLC and transactional data, stored on the WEM SQL database.

• Most dashboards have multi-tiered data – high level data that can be viewed with the option to dive deeper into additional details • Tabular data reports for the dashboard images can be created, viewed, or exported as PDF or CSV files ForConstructionPros.com/21135693

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Asphalt

4/19/21 10:16 AM

W! NE and ne iPho oid App r And ovides Pr ote Rem ss to e Acc ater He us Stat

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Hot Oil Heater Features: • PLC Touchscreen Technology • “SABER” Stack Cuts Down Stack Temperatures and Saves $$$ • All Heaters Are Test Fired at Factory Before Shipping • Personal Service with Strong Commitment to Customer Satisfaction

Your Preferred Asphalt Equipment Resource

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4/19/21 10:16 AM

SPECIAL REPORT LeeBoy Raised on Blacktop 8520B Asphalt Paver

Weiler E1650A Remixing Transfer Vehicle

The Raised on Blacktop Special Edition 8520B heavy commercial asphalt paver was created as a way to pay homage to the pride and passion of those in the asphalt industry.

• Includes an exclusive gray paint scheme and red operators’ seats embroidered with the Raised on Blacktop logo • Stylized Raised on Blacktop decal, carbon fiber-embellished wing decal and larger American flag decal • Weatherproof ticket/phone box • Engraved serialized badge

The Weiler E1650A Remixing Transfer Vehicle builds upon the success of previous Weiler MTVs with innovative new features engineered to maximize productivity while providing low operating costs.

• E1650A has 18 tons of onboard storage, enhanced elevator motors and triple-pitch remix augers to provide 600 tons per hour discharge capacity for non-stop, non-contact paving with reduced particulate and thermal segregation

ForConstructionPros.com/21259413

HeadLight PhotoBased Inspection Technology

Trimble Roadworks 3D Paving Control for Asphalt Pavers

Designed for infrastructure construction professionals, HeadLight is a photo-based inspection technology that allows construction teams to capture, share and act on data from the job site in real-time, offering the visual source of truth needed to confidently deliver a total and accurate picture of progress from day one.

• HeadLight allows information to be shared from a job site in real-time, saving time, money and reducing communication issues.

Trimble Roadworks is a highly accurate, automatic 3D screed control system that can significantly improve paving productivity and rideability by directly referencing the design rather than a surface or stringline to minimize asphalt usage, reduce waste and overruns and finish projects on time and under budget.

• Androidbased application runs on the 10-in. touch-screen Trimble TD520 Display and colorful graphics, natural interactions and gestures, and self-discovery features make the software intuitive and easy to learn

ForConstructionPros. com/21319313

ForConstructionPros. com/21259603

Meeker Equipment Rejuvenator Pump Skid The Meeker Equipment Rejuvenator Pump Skid has progressive cavity pumps which are positive displacement pumps. These style of pumps are very linear on the pump curve and have repeatable flow rates regardless of viscosity changes in the rejuvenator.

• Mass flow meters provide accurate and repeatable flow rates. Density of liquid is automatically compensated so you get accurate data • Variable frequency drive allows operators to control VFD locally or remotely • Electric control valve is pre-plumbed into pump skid. Operators can run rejuvenator to drum, divert it back to a tank or for calibration • Relief valve will allow the liquid to circulate through the pump if there is ever a “plug” downstream of the pump ForConstructionPros.com/21342399

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• Front-mounted control station layout features increased visibility with a 10-in. color, touch screen display with integrated camera along with proportional conveyor swing joystick control ForConstructionPros. com/21259585

Maxam ConVector Liquid Asphalt Heater / Agitator The ConVector™ Liquid Asphalt Heater / Agitator has a lower initial investment and significantly lower maintenance costs compared to conventional liquid asphalt tank heating/agitating systems.

• Siphon jet pump induces a high speed, high volume recirculating flow, continuously and uniformly blending the tank, while improving heat transfer through the coils by 500%. This means only 1/5 the feet of coils are required compared to conventional systems • The ConVector comes as a complete unit and is easily installed from outside the tank ForConstructionPros. com/21330853

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Asphalt

4/19/21 10:16 AM

DOESN’T MIND THE COLD JUST LIKE YOU With Evotherm®, your paving season doesn’t have to stop when temperatures drop. Using our WMA additive means you can get the job done in even the harshest of weather.

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NO ONE OFFERS MORE THAN ASTEC Our commitment to serving our customers in the asphalt pavement industry drives us to be our best, from our full-service engineering department eager work with you to configure a plant to meet your needs, to our logistics and construction crews ready to get your plant delivered and operational. Astec plants are all backed by after the sale parts and service support. You can count on us as your single source for complete plants, component equipment, parts and service.

SALES: 423.867.4210

All specifications subject to change with or without notice. | Products shown are representative, details may vary. | Equipment shown with options at additional cost.

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4/19/21 10:17 AM

ENGINEERING

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4/19/21 10:17 AM

PRODUCTION NOTES |

JESSICA LOMBARDO, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Developing an OSHA-Compliant

RESPIRATORY P

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www.ForConstructionPros.com/Asphalt

4/19/21 10:18 AM

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, companies must continue to ensure compliance with OSHA’s Respiratory Protection and Respirable Crystalline Silica standards, especially at the asphalt plant as obligations for engineering controls commences June 23

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Asphalt Drum Mixers Inc.

nder the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. As of June 2018, all asphalt plants should have identified and/or documented respirable crystalline silica exposure levels for workers engaged in dust-generating activities or dusty environments. Compliance at your production facility, including the asphalt plant and quality control labs, fall under the general industry standard which is different than construction-related compliance.

Starting June 23, 2021, OSHA will begin enforcing requirements for engineering controls for asphalt plants.

Make sure you are meeting requirements before the enforcement date and put OSHA-compliant programs in place.

Y PLAN www.ForConstructionPros.com/Asphalt

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Easy to Learn

A WIRTGEN GROUP COMPANY

Learn more about the VÖGELE ErgoPlus 3 at pavingmadeeasy.com MAY 2021 ASPHALT CONTRACTOR

33 4/19/21 10:18 AM

PRODUCTION NOTES Most silica exposure is going to be during your maintenance time frame. Working within the drums, baghouses, etc. is when you’re going to have potential exposure.

IDENTIFY THE HAZARD & CREATE A PLAN The first thing you need to do to ensure compliance is identify where the respiratory hazards are at your asphalt plant and identify the ways in which you can engineer them out (see sidebar for potential exposure areas). All of these potential tasks being done at the asphalt plant need to be looked at for potential exposure to silica dust.

Hazard assessments should include a review of work processes to determine where potential exposures may occur with employees and the results should be communicated back to employees.

The two most common ways to determine exposure are through objective data – that is, exposure data available or published for similar activities – or through direct exposure

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assessment of worker activities. The latter can include surrogate exposures of, for example, respirable dust.

For objective data, as employer must make and maintain records to include: • The crystalline silica-containing material in question (data can be obtained from MSDS sheets) • The source of the objective data • The testing protocol and results of testing • A description of the process, task, activity, material or exposures on which the objective data were based • Other data relevant to the process, task, activity, material or exposure When you're running material through the asphalt plant, it's very difficult to know how much of that silica is getting fractionated so you may end up opting for the assessment exposure

testing instead. Through an exposure assessment, asphalt plants can determine what their exposure is and take steps to comply from there.

If during initial air monitoring, the plant finds levels below the action level of < 25 ug/m3 as an 8-hour TWA then no additional monitoring is required.

If you find that levels are between 25 ug/m3 and 50 ug/m3 as an 8-hour TWA, then: • A retest is required within 6 months of the most recent test • Minimum three tests required If monitoring is above > 50 ug/m3 as an 8-hour TWA: • Retest required within 3 months of the most recent test to make sure controls are effective • Minimum three test required During air quality monitoring, the

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4/19/21 10:19 AM

e r •

• •

•

•

• •

c c i •

Easy to Operate employer must make and maintain records to include: • The date of measurement for each sample taken • The task monitored • Sampling and analytical methods used • Number, duration and results of samples taken • Identity of the laboratory that performed the analysis • Type of PPE worn • Name, SSN and job classification of all employees represented by the monitoring and actually monitored The general industry rule indicates companies must have a written exposure control plan once it is determined there is exposure. The plan should contain: • Description of the task that involve exposure to respirable silica

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• Description of the engineering controls, work practices and respiratory protection required to limit exposure per task • Description of housekeeping measures used to limit exposure ENSURE COMPLIANCE During his session at the virtual People, Plants & Paving conference, Brad Hammock, shareholder, co-chair of the Workplace Safety and Health practice group at Littler Mendelson, PC, relayed the information attendees needed to know for their written respiratory protection program to be considered OSHA-complaint. This information is especially important for asphalt plant owners and operators.

"Three categories of people need to be highlighted in your written

A WIRTGEN GROUP COMPANY

Learn more about the VÖGELE ErgoPlus 3 at pavingmadeeasy.com MAY 2021 ASPHALT CONTRACTOR

35 4/19/21 10:19 AM

PRODUCTION NOTES

Areas that May Contribute to Silica Exposure: ➊ Virgin Aggregates: The dust could be a potential silica hazard

• How is your aggregate delivered or moved?

• Do you have an open cab loader?

• What weather conditions do you have outside?

➋ RAP Piles: Materials on the roadways that are

trucked back and moved could be a potential silica hazard • Do you crush recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) on site?

• Do you utilize open cab equipment to move RAP?

program," Hammock said. "Supervisors, employees and program administrator (one person to administer the protection program who will make sure the things you are committing to do are actually done). Add their names in your documents to hold everyone accountable."

Engineering and administrative controls should be used to protect employees whenever possible, however, these controls are not always feasible. If your company has determined you cannot engineer a way around the exposure, you need to put a written respiratory protection plan in place.

"If you come to the conclusion that you cannot eliminate the hazard, you have to put your folks in respirators and put a separate written respiratory protection program in place," Hammock said.

➌ Plant Roadways: Sweeping and brooming along the plant roadway could be a potential silica hazard

• Placing water on the roadway before performing these actions can reduce exposure

➍ Daily Operations: • Do you have employees on the ground?

• Where do you have potential aggregate dust?

• What are the responsibilities of the ground personnel?

• Test different tasks and see where there might be exposure based on daily tasks

➎ Baghouse & Dust System: • What is your task?

• What is your potential respirable silica exposure?

• Maintenance personnel are at a risk based on the tasks they are doing

➏ Drum Systems: • What type of drum system do you have?

• When and where is your potential exposure?

➐ RAP Systems: • What type of RAP system do you have?

• Do you have an inline crusher?

➑ Drags & Silos: • Are you in production or maintenance?

• Most of silica exposure is going to happen during the maintenance time frame. Working within the drums, baghouses, etc. is where you’re going to see potential exposure and that’s where to test air quality

➒ Quality Control Labs: • What tests are being performed?

• Do you have a silica exposure?

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Recycled asphalt materials from the roadway that are trucked back and moved around the plant could be a potential silica hazard.

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PLAN When putting a respiratory protection plan in place, you need to have a purpose statement that will help ensure all employees are protected from exposure to airborne hazards through appropriate use of respiratory protection.

You also need to have an application statement which lays out where the program applies: the Program applies to all employees who are required to wear respirators when performing their job duties. It also applies to employees who wish to voluntarily wear a respirator, except for those employees who voluntarily choose to wear a filtering facepiece respirator.

However, you can't just put your people in respirators and call it a day. There are steps that need to be taken in order to ensure OSHA-compliance.

"Employers mainly get cited by OSHA because they have not completed and documented medical evaluations or fit testing for respirator-use," Hammock said.

Employees who are either required to wear respirators or choose to do so and are covered by the program, must pass a medical evaluation before being permitted

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4/19/21 10:19 AM

"

to wear a respirator on the job. The evaluation must be conducted using the questionnaire provided in Appendix C of OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard.

Employees who are required to wear tight-fitting respirators will also need to be fit-tested prior to being allowed to wear any tight-fitting respirator. This must be done annually and also when there are changes in the employee’s physical condition that could affect respirator fit (e.g., obvious change in body weight, facial scarring, etc).

Employees will be fit-tested with the make, model and size of respirator that they will actually wear.

Training is also an important part of your respiratory protection plan.

This training must be comprehensive and understandable, and must recur annually or more often if necessary.

Supervisors will ensure that each employee using a respirator can demonstrate knowledge of at least the following: • Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator.

• What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are.

• How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions.

• How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of the respirator.

• What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator.

• How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the effective use of respirators.

• The general requirements of the Respiratory Protection standard.

Once employees have cleared their medical evaluations, have been fittested and properly trained, it is their responsibility to know the program requirements and follow them.

Employees have the responsibility to: • Wear their respirators when and

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ACON0521_32-37_Production_JD.indd 37

where required and in the manner in which they were trained.

• Maintain respirators as instructed and store them in a clean location when reuse protocols are in effect.

• Inform supervisor if the respirator no longer fits and request a new one.

• Inform their supervisor or the Program Administrator of any respiratory hazards they feel are not adequately addressed.

• Employees must also follow allow maintenance and storage procedures for their respirators as outline by the manufacturer. All non-functioning respirators need to be taken out of service immediately.

"We see a ton of inspections where compliance operators walk around and see broken respirators," Hammock said.

"You have to have a system laid out to deal with these respirators properly."

Finally, you need to regularly review your plans to be in compliance as OSHA expects the program to be periodically evaluated.

"The best practice is to engage employees in what’s working and what’s not," Hammock said. "Are there hazards not addressed? Are there other respirators we should be using? These are the type of conversations OSHA wants you to have."

Hammock said the best practice is to have a binder of all respirator protection documentation on hand. This binder should include a copy of the program, a copy of the standard, copies of fit tests and medical evaluations, and copies of training records. If you're ever inspected, everything is in one place.

"Having a program in place doesn't mean you're in compliance," Hammock concludes. "You have to have a written program, documentation that the proper procedures were followed and you need to regularly review the program for effectiveness for OSHA to consider your company in compliance."

For more information on silica exposure, visit ForConstructionPros. com/20990919

Easy to Control

A WIRTGEN GROUP COMPANY

Learn more about the VÖGELE ErgoPlus 3 at pavingmadeeasy.com MAY 2021 ASPHALT CONTRACTOR

37 4/19/21 10:19 AM

JOBSITE INNOVATIONS |

JESSICA LOMBARDO, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Benefits of Using

LIVE-BOTTOM TRAILERS to Haul Asphalt

These trailers can increase safety, decrease unloading times and improve operations for paving contractors

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L

ive-bottom trailers are not new to the asphalt hauling industry.

In fact, the use of these type of v-shaped trucks to transport asphalt and other materials has been happening for years. Popularity of these trailers is increasing in many areas however due to the benefits this type of equipment can offer. A typical live-bottom trailer

has a conveyor belt on the bottom of the trailer tub that pushes the material out of the back of the trailer at a controlled pace. Unlike the conventional dump truck, the tub does not have to be raised to deposit the materials.

"Live-bottom trailers are different than a dump trailer in that they unload through a conveyor system in the

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JOBSITE INNOVATIONS

bottom of the trailer," Larry McGee, president of Pegasus Trailers says. "Not raising the bed to unload material has many advantages for both trailer drivers and paving contractors including increased productivity, a better quality mat and the biggest advantage is safety."

IF Live-bottom trailers help improve productivity, increase mat quality and make operation safer for drivers and paver operators.

PRODUCTIVITY When it comes to profitability of asphalt paving jobs, every minute saved matters. Live-bottom trailers can help the paving train be more productive, allowing crews to lay more material faster, get the job done quicker and move on to another project.

"Conventional end and side dump trailers require that the load bin/box be hydraulically hoisted upwards or sideways at an angle so the material can slide out, the unloading speed is somewhat unpredictable and is typically uncontrollable," Richard Minotti,

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district sales manager at Trail King says.

"Live-bottom trailers remain horizontal during the unloading process, the flow of material is always predictable and controllable."

This allows for steady loading which results in a more efficient removal of material from the truck.

"That's a big advantage of these trucks, being able to unload faster," Brian Horner with Etnyre Trailers says.

"Let's say you have a paving crew and

you've got 15 dump trucks that are running to that paver. You could get by with probably 12 belt trailers instead of 15 trucks and get the same capacity in a day."

For this reason, many drivers of livebottom trailers also get better hourly rates for their trucks than typical dump drivers.

Having predictable control over the materials also means that the paver can plan better for putting material down

Since live-bottom trailers remain horizontal during unloading, material flow is always predicable and controlable which helps contractors put material down faster.

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and potentially have less stoppages to wait for a dump trailer to raise and unload.

"With a live-bottom, you can turn the conveyor on at the same speed that the paver is feeding and you can unload your load without a stop," McGee says.

"That makes the whole paving train cover more ground in a day because you're not waiting for a body to go up and down."

The other side of that is being able to maneuver the machine in tighter areas since there is no dump to get in the way.

"You never have to body up and down to go under bridges or wires," McGee adds. "As soon as the truck backs into the paver, he can go under anything without stopping. So if you're working in town, that makes a big

Maintenance Matters These type of trailers do require a bit of additional maintenance than traditional dump beds, but not nearly enough to deter use.

“You need to make sure you’re checking that the flashing is where it needs to be and always make sure your belt and your chains are tensioned correctly,” Horner with Etnyre says.

“Make sure you keep them tight.”

Also, loading unreliable mixes or damaging materials could damage the conveyor so be aware of that as well.

“These trailers also do not typically lend themselves to excavation and extraction of product; sticky clay could cause problematic unloading, and a rough unpredictable product mix could damage the conveyor belt (i.e. tree stumps, concrete with re-bar, etc.),” Minotti says.

difference. Your productivity is so much higher with a live-bottom."

These trailers also are great for windup work or smaller jobs as you can meter out just a little bit of mix at a time and move the trailer to another location

to unload more mix.

"A lot of guys will have to use a skid loader to fill in some corners or something on smaller jobs. With a livebottom, you can meter out just a little bit below a skid loader bucket, close the

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w

Live-bottoms are great for residential areas since there is no risk of the dump body accidentally being raised into an overhead obstruction like a wire.

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doors, let him do his thing and come back, you're not dumping a big pile somewhere and making a mess that you have to clean up. So it makes it very good for that windup work," Horner says.

BETTER RESULTS Not stopping to wait for a dump to unload also helps improve mat quality. Because the load of hot mix is continually moving through the trailer via a conveyor belt and not being unloaded in lumps, aggregate and heat segregation are dramatically reduced.

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"The whole load moves back, and then dumps out of the bottom. It's never tumbling in there, so there's less segregation of your asphalt," Horner says. "Really, that whole load, in a half a revolution of that belt, empties the trailer. The belt is not just sitting in there spinning, it's just moving slow and just moves that whole big mass out to the back of the trailer and dumps it into your paver."

Stopping the paver to wait for mix inevitably creates a small bump in the mat. This can usually be avoided with live-bottom trailers.

"With live-bottoms, you don't get the surge in the paver when the trailer backs into the paver which bumps the screed," McGee says. "You can trickle mix into the paver at the same rate that the paver is trickling it back to get in front of the screed. So that helps with mat quality too."

These trailers are also better insulated, keeping the mix hotter for longer.

"Another added benefit that is inherent to live-bottom trailers is that they have better thermal retention properties than conventional end dumps," Minotti says. "They keep hot mix product (asphalt) hotter longer."

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trailers is due to the increased safety these trucks bring to a jobsite. As mentioned above, these trailers do not lift to empty the material. Not only does that make these trailers ideal for tight situations like under bridges and in residential neighborhoods, it also means there is no risk of the truck rolling over when the dump is raised.

"Conventional dump trailers are very unstable during the unloading process and are extremely susceptible to rolling over," Minotti says. "Livebottom trailers are ultra-stable as their center of gravity is never shifted during the unloading process; they are by far the safest choice for worksites."

As the number of trucks on site increases, so do the chances of something terrible happening. Many insurance companies are realizing the risk of dump trailers and either refusing to ensure them or charging higher rates.

"I've had some customers tell me that their insurance companies didn't want to cover their dump trucks anymore because of roll overs that he had so he ended up purchasing some live-bottom trailers," McGee says. "We have also seen some dump trucks go into wires and had electricity jump from wires to the box and electrocuted the truck. We could have had a really bad accident

and luckily no one died in this instance, but I know other companies have had fatalities from electrocution from the dump trucks being up in the wires. So live-bottoms are a lot safer. No roll overs and no wires."

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MAY 2021 ASPHALT CONTRACTOR

47 4/19/21 10:24 AM

PRESERVATION UPDATE

Louisiana Contractor Finds Flexibility in

PRESERVATION TREATMENTS

With their previous equipment unable to meet their current needs, Material Resources purchased new equipment to improve their versatility

T 48

here is no one-size-fitsall solution when it comes to pavement preservation

ASPHALT CONTRACTOR MAY 2021

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treatments. Traffic, weather, maintenance and a hundred other factors contribute to a road’s longevity.

So in an area where contractors have historically offered a blanket approach to pavement maintenance, Material Resources Inc. chose to take a different path. Instead, the Louisiana-based asphalt maintenance contractor considers the individual variables of each project before making a preservation recommendation. In this way, the family-owned business ensures their customers receive the highest-quality,

longest-lasting preservation services.

However, the ability to provide the right solution for the right road requires flexibility — a key element Material Resources found itself lacking when trying to introduce a new mastic sealer to their lineup.

A NEW DIRECTION Material Resources started in 1996 as a family business focused on manufacturing patching products and filling potholes on local city and county roads. Within two years, the company

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4/19/21 10:25 AM

With the High-Volume Road Maintenance Vehicle’s Generation IV pump, Material Resources has the flexibility to apply a variety of sealcoat products, including Onyx, without worrying about clogs.

recognized that simply reacting to the problem was not in the best interests of its customers. Instead, the team wanted to provide services that preemptively addressed wear and tear. Before they could be successful though, Material Resources knew they’d have to convince local officials of the benefits of effective preservation — correcting misconceptions left behind by previous practices.

Education would be key in bringing change to their area so team members began researching pavement preservation options that best served their customers.

“Pavement preservation isn’t new,” Ryan Casto, operations manager for Material Resources said. “Louisiana, like many states, is starting to see the benefit of implementing a well-thought-out preservation strategy. But we’ve had to overcome a lot of negative perception to get to this point – contractors selling preservation

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MAY 2021 ASPHALT CONTRACTOR

49 4/19/21 10:26 AM

PRESERVATION UPDATE

PRESERVATION UPDATE

treatments that don’t make sense for a particular stretch of road and products that didn’t live up to their claims. We knew that for things to change, we needed to help set the record straight on the benefits of the right kind of preservation.”

With each project they bid on, Material Resources began educating clients. They provided science-backed data on the benefits of properly applied preservation materials and made pavement preservation part of the conversation in towns and parishes within 100 miles of their headquarters in Port Allen. And as understanding grew, so did Material Resources, selectively adding products and services to its portfolio to maximize flexibility for meeting customer needs.

“There’s an ideal application out there for every preservation job,” Casto said. “What sets us apart is we don’t push customers to use an application just because it’s the one we have.

We outline the best option for their situation, even if it means sending them to another contractor, because making sure they get the right service is more important than providing the wrong one. Still, we’d like to be the ones doing the job, so we strive for the flexibility to tackle almost anything.”

A STICKY SITUATION Constantly updating their products and services to meet customer needs has helped Material Resources provide quality, long-lasting results and grow into a respected pavement preservation specialist. But it has also led to some growing pains when old equipment doesn’t work for new applications.

Most recently, this equipment mismatch occurred when the company began working with Onyx — a frictional surface treatment capable of loading a large amount of aggregate for superior durability and surface friction.

Before Ingevity introduced Onyx to the market in 2012, Material Resources relied on its own process for restoring frictional characteristics to roads. The PM+ Texture Seal application used

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“Material Resources works hard to update their equipment to provide the right preservation treatment to their customers.” a truck with a spray bar and hopper system to simultaneously spray liquid seal coat and disperse fine aggregate overtop. The process replaced lost surface fines and extended road longevity by three to five years. With PM+ Texture Seal, Material Resources could cover long stretches of road quickly and efficiently, providing a frictional result similar to chip seal and slurry coatings but at a fraction of the cost and time necessary for these applications.

PM+ Texture Seal allowed Material Resources to provide a vital service to their customers. However, the team was always looking to add products and services to their offerings that could streamline the process, increasing productivity without sacrificing quality.

Onyx, supplied by licensed producer, Ergon, was one such product. Aggregate was already incorporated into the mixture, so there was no need for a hopper system to disperse it. This simplified the process significantly while providing superior results. For weathered asphalt pavement with minor distresses, Material Resources could improve road conditions and safety with a fast-drying application of Onyx rather than resorting to heavier treatments that were more costly and intrusive to motorists. The only problem was how to deliver it. Material Resources’ current spray equipment couldn’t handle the mixture, leading to frequent clogs.

“When we tried running Onyx on our existing equipment, we were

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Be recognized as a BEST contractor Apply for a chance to be acknowledged as an exceptional employer that prioritizes its workforce. Completing the application process online is FREE and winning companies will be invited to attend an exclusive event in Las Vegas to honor their accomplishment.

Apply today at BestContractorsToWorkFor.com To be considered, eligible contractors are required to have a minimum of 15 full-time or part-time employees in the U.S. and a primary business of: General Building Construction, Earthmoving, Paving, Concrete or Specialty and trades (Underground, Utility, Electrical, HVAC, Demolition, etc.)

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PRESERVATION UPDATE

plagued with numerous clogs,” Casto said, “Clogs don’t just increase downtime — they build up pressure and pose a danger to our crew when we have to remove them. Correctly depressurizing a spray system takes time. When you’re on a deadline, every second counts. So, we needed a system that could handle Onyx — or any of our other products— without clogging.”

As always, Material Resources relied on data and the numbers to point them in the right direction. Buying new equipment to apply a single product was costly and inefficient, but they were confident they could find a custom solution that allowed them to apply Onyx efficiently but also had the flexibility to tackle any of the other products and processes their customers required.

HIGH-VOLUME VERSATILITY Material Resources approached Neal Manufacturing with a detailed list of specs. In addition to versatility, they were looking for high-volume capacity to get the job done quickly. They were also looking for a solution that was easy to operate and maintain.

“County and rural roads make up a large portion of our business,” Casto said. “We’re not always close to home, so we needed a reliable machine that could put down a lot of material in one go and didn’t need a certified mechanic if something went wrong.

The team at Blastcrete Equipment and Neal Manufacturing have a reputation for engineering equipment that is easy to operate, efficient and durable. We were hoping they’d have a solution to fit our situation, and they did.”

The Alabama-based OEM worked with Material Resources to customize a High-Volume Road Maintenance Vehicle.

The unit is equipped with a 1,500-gallon tank that allows Material Resources to spray approximately 10,000 to 12,000 square yards of road with a single application of material before refilling — half that for double applications.

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“The standard Neal Manufacturing High-Volume Road Maintenance Vehicle comes with a 3,000-gallon tank, but we felt the 1,500 size would be better suited for the types of roads we predominantly work with,” Casto said. “We needed something with lots of productivity but a smaller footprint that could easily get around neighborhoods and tight areas. The Neal team worked closely with us on a custom solution that works with our smaller truck.”

With the Generation IV pump, Material Resources has the flexibility to apply a variety of sealcoat products, including Onyx, without worrying about clogs. In-cab controls also make

Sergii/AdobeStock

application easier for crews, allowing them to adjust the spray bar and individual nozzles on the go.

CONTINUED SUPPORT Material Resources saw positive results with the High-Volume Road Maintenance Vehicle right away.

As part of their ongoing education initiative, they demonstrated the benefits of Onyx on a mile-long section of road for the city of Port Allen. With the efficiency of the High-Volume Vehicle, they were able to complete the project 30% faster than alternative applications. In situations that don’t

call for Onyx, the High-Volume Vehicle still provides impressive productivity, allowing them to complete jobs up to 40% faster.

However, there is still room for improvement.

“Whenever we had an idea or something wasn’t going quite right, we didn’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call,” Casto said. “They are willing to listen and make adjustments based on what we need. There aren’t a lot of companies that will do that. For example, we had some early issues with spray patterns and they helped us reconfigure the nozzles to solve it. We thought that was the end of it until we got a call to say they’ve come up with a better solution. Even though the issue was resolved, they continue to innovate.”

THE RIGHT PARTNER With their first High-Volume Vehicle already providing ROI, Material Resources partnered with Neal Manufacturing for a second unit — which incorporates many of their suggestions as new standard features.

“Our goal has always been providing the right product, at the right time on the right road,” Casto said. “Asphalt preservation continues to evolve and what’s right today might change for tomorrow. Working with partners that understand means we will always be able to supply an ideal solution.”

As the understanding of preservation benefits grows in Louisiana and across the country, Material Resources looks forward to helping more cities, counties and entities develop high-quality, longlasting preservation plans that match the right process to the right road.

For more information on pavement preservation, visit ForConstructionPros. com/21034462

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Asphalt

4/19/21 10:27 AM

NOVEMBER 3-5 | LAS VEGAS

IGNITE GROWTH AND TRANSFORMATION WITHIN YOUR BUSINESS Ignite Construction Summit is the industry’s only management-focused education and networking event specifically designed for construction business owners and high-level managers who are dedicated to igniting growth and transformation within their company. The construction industry’s immediate and long-term critical issues will be the focus during two days of expert-led sessions that will spark new ideas and new approaches while spurring action to help companies move their business forward.

Register Now and Save $300 with Early Bird Rates!

IgniteConstructionSummit.com FROM THE PRODUCERS OF:

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CLASSIFIEDS Contact Tadashi Soma Print and Digital Advertising

920-542-1267

tsoma@ACBusinessMedia.com GAC® T

O

S

ST

O

S

GAC® In Full Production 1 Year After The Fire

Geosynthetic Installation Machines & Roll Pullers™

The CA Wildfire Totally Destroyed My 40 Year Old Factory.

In starting over it gave me the opportunity to make many performance design improvements I have thought about for years. “The World’s Best Installers” Are Even Better.

D

PUMP PACKING Stop your pumps from leaking!

Pre-cut packing sets proven within the Asphalt Industry.

Viking®, Roper, Rotan, etc.

Call Scott at 1-800-231-4209 www.rainsflo.com

MOUNQUE BARAZONE, Inventor & Consultant Inducted into the PAVEMENT HALL OF FAME - 2019 All of Mounque's 6 Patents & Numerous Patent Pendings Reduces Installation Time & Speeds Overall Job Production a ing a rics ri s an y ri Mats nstall lmost rinkle ree Mounting for Endloaders • Clamp On Buckets • Oil Truck Mounting System • Pick Up Trucks • ROLL PULLERS™ for Unloading Trucks and Containers Models RP3XL and RP4XL for 3" & 4" Cardboard Roll Cores

Geotextile Apparatus Company www.gacco.com gacco@outlook.com • 619-222-5111

Your One Stop Source For…

RAPWRANGLER 3 Models Available

SHAKER DECK

Several Models Available

PAVER WEAR PARTS PLANT EQUIPMENT & PARTS LIVE BOTTOM TRAILER PARTS WINDROW ELEVATOR CHAINS PICK UP MACHINE PARTS ® SHUTTLEBUGGY MTV PARTS MATERIAL TRANSFER DEVICE PARTS

www.asphaltace.com 54

ASPHALT CONTRACTOR MAY 2021

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1-888-878-0898 1-0898

A portable crushing machine that renders football-sized chunks of asphalt to 1-inch diameter or less at a rate of up to 250 tons per hour

An economical solution for screening oversize aggregate or reclaimed asphalt product (RAP). **Designed for durability and reliability

michael@asphaltace.com www.ForConstructionPros.com/Asphalt

4/19/21 10:28 AM

t

CLASSIFIEDS

DRYER/DRUM SPECIALISTS “Serving the rock and asphalt industries since 1985” WE ARE SECOND TO NONE IN SERVICE AND SATISFACTION

ALIGNMENT

Just as your vehicles need proper alignment, so does your dryer. Nearly all external dryer problems are caused by trunnion and frame misalignment. Long-term mis-alignment causes damage resulting in downtime and costly repairs. Even units that seemingly float properly can in reality be drastically out of alignment.

✔ Tire pad and keeper wear ✔ Lack of proper floatation Evans & Daniels uses precision laser and sighting techniques to restore your unit to proper alignment settings.

RESURFACING

SIGNS OF MIS-ALIGNMENT

Evans & Daniels uses highly specialized grinding equipment that can fit into the tightest of spaces. We resurface tires, trunnions, thrust rollers and tire thrust faces. We don’t require cranes, lifting assistance, or steel framework.

In most cases, we can grind during regular production conditions.

✔ Trunnion mis-location and trunnion bearing failure

COMMON WEAR PATTERNS

✔ Metal flakes from tires or trunnions ✔ Poor wear/contact on tires and trunnions

✔ Tapers

✔ High drive motor amperage

✔ Washboard

✔ Excessive vibration

✔ Concave / Convex

✔ Thrust roller and bearing damage

✔ Shoulders

✔ Tire pad and keeper wear

✔ Lumps / Divots / Cracks

✔ Lack of proper floatation

✔ Rollover

TIRE & TRUNNION RESURFACING — TRUNNION ALIGNMENT — PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

www.evansanddaniels.com — 570-779-1982 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Asphalt

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CLASSIFIEDS

56

ASPHALT CONTRACTOR MAY 2021

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www.ForConstructionPros.com/Asphalt

4/19/21 10:29 AM

ASPHALT PLANTS · Gencor 300 TPH counterflow drum mix plant · CMI 400 tph portable drum mix plant · CMI 350 tph portable drum mix plant · Astec 350 tph Relo Double Barrel plant w/4 silos · Barber Greene 350 tph portable drum mix plant · 350 tph counterflow drum mix plant · Gencor 7’X40’ counterflow plant · CMI 200 tph portable drum mix plant · Adm 100 tph stationary plant with silo & RAP · ADM 110 tph portable drum plant · Cedarapids 350 tph counterflow drum and baghouse · 150 TPH Stationary drum mix plant · Barber Greene 10,000# Asphalt Batch Plant

· Astec control house with Astec PM ll controls · 80,000 CFM Stationary Baghouse · Astec 6’X33’ Double Barrel drum only · Astec 36” x 96’ slat conveyor · Astec 400 tph Double Barrel only · Astec 75 ton self-erect silo · ADM 42,000 CFM portable baghouse · Terex 95 ton self-erect silo & slat conveyor · Astec pugmill coater · Dillman mixing drum · 15,000 gallon asphalt tank with hot oil heater · 35,000 gallon skid mounted coiled asphalt tank

Please Call For Complete Inventory

Plant for sale? Call Clancy!

Serving the Asphalt Industry for 50 years

E.T. CLANCY COMPANY 219-879-8231 • 800-348-8553 Email: sales@etclancy.com • www.etclancy.com

             

       







          

t

CLASSIFIEDS

Checkout outthe theFastMeasure FastMeasureOBDII. OBDII. Check Plug and and Play Play Distance Distance Measuring Measuring Device.

Device.  Plug



          

 





       

Index Advertiser Index

PAGE

Advertiser Index

PAGE

ACE Group USA

54

IGNITE Construction Summit

53

Ahern Industries Inc.

54

Ingevity

29

ALMix

9

KTP Enterprise. Fast Measure

57

Asphalt Drum Mixers Inc. (ADM)

18-19

LeeBoy, Inc.

11

Astec Inc.

30-31

Meeker Equipment Co. Inc.

27

Best Contractors To Work For

51

Minds, Inc.

23

BITCO Insurance Companies

42

Pegasus Vans & Trailers, Inc.

41

Bomag Americas

15

Rains-Flo Manufacturing

54

Cargill Inc.

2

Reliable Asphalt Products

56

Carlson Paving Products Inc.

59

Roadtec

60

Dynapac North America

7

Sapphire Gas Solutions

43

E.T. Clancy Co. Inc.

57

SealMaster

17

Eager Beaver Trailers

45

Site-Safe

46

Etnyre International

47

Systems Equipment

50

Evans & Daniels Inc.

55

Tarmac International, Inc.

49

Gencor Industries Inc.

3, 5

Weiler Products

25

Geotextile Apparatus Co.

54

WEM Automation, Inc.

13

Homestead Valve

40

Wirtgen America Inc.

33, 35, 37, 39

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Asphalt

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THE LAST EXIT |

JESSICA LOMBARDO, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

10 Things to do Before the Paving Season Starts Make sure your construction business is ready for the busy season with these tips

E

very year it feels like Winter gets longer and longer in the north as we anxiously await the start of another paving season.

As the temperatures start to rise, we want to help you prepare for the busy construction season so you can get ahead of the work to come and make the most of these productive months. Here are some season start up tips to help:

➊ Go On a Hiring Spree Before you know how much work your company can take on this season, you need to know you're going to have a reliable crew with you. The key to having the best possible crew is to hire early which will give your employees time to be trained and to acclimate to the company culture before you and your team get caught up in projects.

Conduct Employee Training After hiring new team members and before your old team starts a new season, it's important to have scheduled training.

If you haven’t already, create an employee handbook. Go over safety precautions, guidelines you expect employees to follow and procedures in place for each project you work on. Have employees together for training sessions before putting them out on the jobsite this year.

Ready PPE In addition to training, it’s important that every member of the crew, including the new guy, knows how to operate safely within the job site. This includes providing them with the proper personal

protective equipment (PPE) and letting them know about the proper attire for the jobsite. Long pants and sturdy work boots will protect your workers from hot asphalt and other risks.

Maintain Old Machines During the winter months, your company should be optimizing downtime by completing a myriad of preventative maintenance tasks.

A winter repair regimen for asphalt companies consists of checking on those 'trouble spots' on your machines that have accumulated over the course of the paving season that you know need to be addressed while business is slower. Refer to your product manuals and equipment dealers for a list of maintenance needs.

Purchase New Equipment If you know some of your equipment won't make it through the year, consider buying new. Equipment has come a long way in a short time and your employees will get the most out of every job with the right tools.

➏ Take a Look at Your Work Throughout the winter, you’ve likely lined up your projects to start when the weather breaks. This is when you’ll want to reach out to those clients and get the details of each job ironed out. Also get in touch with your suppliers. Let them know your plans and needs so they aren’t surprised (and you aren’t disappointed) midway through the season.

➐ Educate Yourself A lot has changed during the off-season and it's your responsibility to know about how any new rules and regulations will impact your business. Attending industry events or webinars will help you stay up to date with these changes.

➑ Boost Online Presence There’s no denying that social media is a fundamental part of any marketing strategy. Consumers are heavily engaged with brands and businesses via their webpages and social networks. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Yelp continue to be the modern word-of-mouth that consumers rely on to recommend brands and businesses.

Consider adding a social media platform to your business and let your employees know they should share photos of their work with you to add to your profiles.

➒ Work Smart & Hard If new equipment isn't in the budget this year, it's still important to find ways to cut costs. Staying on top of economic trends will help you with budget planning and management during leaner times. Invest in learning exactly where and how your money is being spent. Utilize budgeting and project management software to analyze expenditures, and keep track of tools, equipment and billable time.

➓ Set Expectations & Celebrate Success Finally, let your employees know what you expect this season. They can’t meet (or surpass!) expectations if they don’t know them. By letting employees know your expectations and the benefits to them of meeting those expectations throughout the year, you can develop a cohesive, team-oriented atmosphere that will help you get more work done quicker and at a higher quality—and your employees will be happier.

For more information on employee retention, visit ForConstructionPros. com/21080472

Photo Credit: Zachary Walters/Facebook

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www.ForConstructionPros.com/Asphalt

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4/19/21 10:31 AM

A NEW KIND OF POWER TOOL

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1.800.272.7100

Dedicated to Your SuccessSM 1.423.265.0600

4/19/21 10:31 AM