SPECIAL REPORT: PAVING Jessica Lombardo, Editor-In-Chief
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Benefits of Using LIVE-BOTTOM TRAILERS to Haul Asphalt These trailers can increase safety, decrease unloading times and improve operations for paving contractors LIVE-BOTTOM TRAILERS are not new to the asphalt hauling industry. In fact, these V-shaped units have been used to transport asphalt and other materials for years. But their popularity is increasing in many areas due to the benefits they can offer. A typical live-bottom trailer has a conveyor belt on the bottom of the tub that pushes the material out of the back of the trailer at a controlled pace. Unlike the conventional dump trailer, 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 bottom of the trailer," Larry McGee, president of Pegasus Trailers, says. "Not
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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."
Productivity Enhancer When it comes to profitability of asphalt paving jobs, every minute saved matters. Live-bottom trailers can help the paving train be more productive by 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," notes Richard Minotti, district sales manager, Trail King. "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 more efficient removal of material from the truck.
August/September 2021 • Pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction • www.ForConstructionPros.com/Pavement
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7/27/21 4:29 PM
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