Machinery News, Road Building

Astec launches new paver, grinder and planer

Astec used ConExpo to launch a suite of new road building and land clearing machinery

Astec Industries launched the RP-175 and RP-195 F series track pavers, 5710E horizontal grinder and RX-405 cold planer at ConExpo recently.

RP-175 and RP-195 F series track pavers

Astec Industries’ newest highway class asphalt pavers, the RP-175 and RP-195 F have upgraded styling, simpler maintenance and enhanced operator experience. 
 
New lightweight hoods make accessing daily maintenance areas quick and easy, with no need for hydraulics.
 
Additionally, the upgraded models feature a new cooling system, which makes the paver run quieter and more efficiently.

“We’ve gone from a single fan cooling system to a dual system, moved to the top of the machine, blowing away from the operator and away from the ground crew,” Astec product manager – paving Keith Hagy says.

“Noise reduction is important. A quieter machine improves communication among the screed person, the operator and the ground crew, which is critical on a work site.” 

The new pavers also feature repositioned and redesigned handrails for enhanced safety and comfort and new touchscreen controls.

The new F-model series has a State V engine and a redesigned track system for improved durability and ease of maintenance. When it comes to hydraulics, the new track pavers have fewer connection points, easing maintenance tasks.

5710E horizontal grinder

The 5710E is particularly suited for land clearing operations or other applications where mobility is needed. The horizontal grinder is equipped with several features designed to improve efficiency and help operators reduce material handling costs.  

“We are excited to reveal the 5710E at ConExpo and have the opportunity to demonstrate the innovations we’ve made to an already strong design,” Astec product manager Michael Spreadbury.  

The 5710E features a larger rotor that can accommodate a greater number of grinding bits.

“The new rotor is 8 per cent larger and 19 per cent heavier than the previous model,” states Spreadbury. 

“More mass means more grinding power.”

To keep up with this improved power, the screening area has also been increased, to allow for greater throughput. Additionally, the grate change process has been simplified.  
 
While weight and size have been increased, the machine is lighter overall.

“In our redesign process, we’ve examined how to maximise efficiency and simplicity at each stage of the grinding process,” Spreadbury explains. 

“You see that from the rotor to the screens, and even in the new compression roll cylinders, which offer better downforce to help process material as it is fed to the rotor.”  

RX-405 cold planer

The versatile RX-405 milling machine is ideal for contractors who need a smaller cold planer that offers versatility and flexibility in a variety of applications. With the addition of the RX-405, Astec’s mills now range from two feet to 13 feet (0.6 to 3.9m) in cut width. 

“Contractors of all sizes now have a machine that they can take to size-restrictive job sites like trenches, utility work and parking lots,” Astec product director Kyle Neisen says. 
 
The RX-405 features new control stations that operators can protect from tree limbs and other obstacles by adjusting the tilt on-the-fly. The same tilt mechanism can turn the controls all the way over for safe storage and protection when the machine is not in use. 
 
The compact mill is designed to make changing drums fast and easy.

“The RX-405 has a hinged door on the side of the cutter housing that provides quick access to all the necessary parts,” Neisen says.

“The side-door is part of a single cutter housing that can transition from two feet to five feet wide so that no matter what job site you’re headed to, the base machine is ready to go.”   
 
The machine features a belt lifter that takes the belt off of the main engine sheave, disabling the engine’s ability to turn the drum during tool changes. The mill also includes a drum indexer, which remotely turns the drum, making it easy to get the drum to a good spot.
 
The new cold planer can also be equipped with a rear object detection system, which uses a camera system to spot objects that might end up behind the mill. The system includes buttons at the back to temporarily lock-out the machine from reversing.

“If you plan to walk behind the machine, you can simply press the button on one side and stop the machine – tap either side button again when no longer behind the machine,” Neisen says.

“When any of those buttons are engaged, the machine will not allow the operator to go in reverse.” 

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