Archive for the 'paving machinary' Category

Concrete and Masonry Cut-Off Saw

Posted by admin on Jul 24 2008 | paving machinary

This beastly baby is a driveway and paving contractor’s best friend.  Powered by a gasoline and oil mix, it has the portability and the power to cut through any asphalt surface from asphalt to dense concrete in any form, poured or pavers.  It utilizes either a diamond blade or a relatively disposable asbestos or composite one, “disposable” because they lose the cutting edge in a faster time than the diamond blades. But they are also cheaper, so there is a trade off.
These little workhorses can run wet or dry.  By “wet”, I mean they most always have a connection device to attach a garden hose or some water supply.  Failing that, one can literally carry a hose in hand and water while cutting or have someone else handle the hose.  The reason this is a good idea is owing to the tremendous amount of pulverized dust these machines create.  It can be pretty amazing.  You look over and there is Kenny, lost in some uber-dusty fog, ripping and snorting on his bad machine, lol.  This machine can prove the adage of “The bigger the boy, the bigger the toy!”  While they require some getting used to, plus involve the back in a huge way by the posture required, they are a fast an totally efficient and versatile machine.
Inasmuch as this workhorse has a virtual open blade, needless to say safety concerns are huge.  Gloves, masks and eye protection are not optional, and I would also suggest protecting the ears from the noise level as well. Nasty little suckers, all in all, but a real indispensable buddy out in the field.
Click for full details at Amazon.com

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The Drum Roller

Posted by admin on Jun 11 2008 | paving machinary

drum roller

Here is a compaction item that handles some pretty big jobs. On the scale of size and delivery of compacting force, this machine can handle a pretty large scale of work. Naturally, its big brother is the steam roller (as many call them) which we see during the construction of our streets and roads but this little unit handles large driveways and open areas incredibly well. Vibratory and heavy, the gas powered unit is able to be worked by hand at a very close, hands-on level, giving a real feel for the base itself in terms of micro problems in structure.
While homeowners typically will never need something as beastly and one dimensional as the compacting machines we show in this blog, it is a fabulous idea for them to acquaint themselves with what they do. An informed client saves money and insures himself a far better product, in the end. Just as no homeowners will install their own driveways, outside of a brave and hardy few at any rate, the patios and sidewalks he may plan can gain from familiarity, if not the use, of some of these machines. Likewise, a rudimentary understanding of compaction issues and their vital role in successful flat structures can be an enlightening and potentially money-saving education.
This machine is definitely for professionals. It even requires its own trailer. However, if someone were to opt for doing his own large driveway expanse, either this machine or a plate compactor, both of which are imminently rent able and available would be a necessary and pretty efficient thing to use. Nor are either the least bit hard to operate. There is a small learning curve for each and then let ‘er rip.

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plate compactor

Posted by admin on May 30 2008 | paving machinary

A plate compactor is a vibratory machine whose heavy build and rapid shaking serve to compact soils and materials beneath where it runs. I can think of zero paver and paving contractors who do not own one, it is literally that necessary. For heavier projects requiring thickness of base material over 6-8″, these relatively little units might not be called for. Larger projects require the services of the “big brothers” of compaction equipment: rollers, jumping jacks and the like. But plate compactors are excellent for 6 inch and under compactions such as your typical driveway or patio.

plate compactor

Indeed, compacting the material underneath smaller areas like patios and sidewalks literally insures perfection for a much longer period of time. Taking out soils subject to heaving and sinking like clays or those containing a lot of organic material and replacing that with a compactable inorganic gravel mix is the height of wisdom. As proven over time, the “base materials” form the bottom of all hard surfaces we know of, from houses to roads and are considered necessary and professional to the max. Compacted, then covered with whatever surface, the surface applied to this compacted base stands the best chance of enduring even decades of usage.

Plate compactors are just the thing for all this. On our paver installations, we use it as well to compact the finished brick-laying, operating over a skim of sand and shaking the sand into the grout cracks between the pavers. As well, it embeds the pavers into the base and further compacts things to a finished gradient. A perfect machine, frankly.

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