Gulf Construction Online - New Cat paver is a powerful all-rounder

Roads & Bridges

The AP555E ... latest addition.

New Cat paver is a powerful all-rounder

01 February 2010

Caterpillar says its new AP555E has everything that an all-rounder asphalt paver should have – good mobility, superb visibility, powerful engine, quick set-up, and a comfortable operating environment.

This latest model by the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment is the latest addition to its paving products machine family.

“The AP555E is capable of working at a maximum paving width of 8 m, making it an optimum choice for contractors for operation in a wide range of medium to large applications. Its compact, lighter weight design allows easy transport to the job site, minimising costs,” says a company spokesman.

The paver’s powerful Cat C4.4 engine with Acert Technology is European EU Stage IIIA engine emission compliant. The four-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine provides 106 kW (144 hp) of power, while a deck-mounted high-capacity cooling system provides cool intake air in order to maximise fuel efficiency and minimise emissions. The exhaust air exits toward the hopper, providing a cool engine compartment and cleaner working environment for the crew.

“In addition, the AP555E features dual operating stations with the adviser monitoring system (AMS), tilting consoles, exclusive Mobil-trac undercarriage, belt-driven generator, and Caterpillar’s unique material handling system with independent auger and conveyor controls,” says the spokesman.

The dual swing-out stations, tilting consoles and low profile design of the cooling system provide good forward visibility that enables the operator to communicate effectively with the truck driver while monitoring mix in the hopper.

An AMS located on the left operating station includes project planning calculators, start-up checklists, engine operating conditions, and many other features, providing an interactive interface to assist the operator. The system also lists fault codes for machine functions, making troubleshooting quick and easy, according to the spokesman.

He continues: “The highly reliable Mobil-trac undercarriage provides excellent flotation and limits disturbance on soft base materials, ensuring uniform mat thickness. Large oscillating bogies and hydraulic accumulators progressively overcome surface irregularities with minimal tow point movement, limiting the effects of curbs, mix piles, and manholes.

The Mobil-trac undercarriage can be equipped with one of two belt designs. The tread-bar design provides better traction when grade conditions are soft, while the smooth belt provides more contact surface for good performance when pushing trucks and less base disruption when turning.

Mobility and consistent speeds are keys to efficient paving operations. The Cat system is equipped with automatic speed control and three propel/steering modes: pave, travel and manoeuvre. The pave mode enables the automatics for mix delivery, while the travel mode maximises speed. The manoeuvre mode permits the tracks to counter-rotate, enabling the machine to turn within its own footprint for superb turning capability in tight quarters, he says.

“Caterpillar’s material handling system is the most advanced in the paving industry,” says the spokesman, adding that automated controls and well-designed components reduce segregation potential and maximise efficiency for higher mat quality.

The system utilises four individual pumps that enable each conveyor and each auger to deliver the exact amount of mix to the screed. The left and right conveyors, in addition to the left and right augers, are controlled independently, ensuring mix demand is met when increasing or decreasing paving widths.

Ratio control dials and sensors (mechanical or sonic) signal the augers and conveyors to run faster or slower when changing paving widths, thus keeping the head of material at the set level. When paving around obstacles, the system automatically makes the necessary adjustments for uniform mix delivery and quality mats, the spokesman says.

The 25-kW, belt-driven generator provides quiet power for the electric screed heat, auxiliary lights and job-site tools. The 4-kW auxiliary power panel is equipped with two, 220-volt receptacles, providing power for job-site lighting and other work tools.

“Rigid supports, reliable heating systems and easily adjustable screed plates make Cat screeds the choice of many contractors. The screeds available for the AP555E feature the industry-leading electric heating system that provides fast warm-up, simple operation and unmatched reliability.

“The double-width hydraulic power extendible asphalt screeds have a standard paving range from 2.55 m to 5 m and a maximum paving width of 8 m with mechanical extensions. The screeds are available with variable frequency tamper and vibrators and electric heating system. The double extendible screeds promote stability and mat quality,” the spokesman adds.