ASPHALT ANSWERS
full of asphalt when the 10% chance
of rain the weatherman predicted turns
into a monsoon.
5. Check Your Equipment.
Every piece of equipment should
have a checklist, from your paver to
your rake and everything in between.
This checklist should be filled out every
morning and any abnormalities need
to be corrected immediately. Check
all your fluids and gauges. Reset your
screed and inspect your towpoints. Be
ready to go when the asphalt arrives and
you’ll find you get done sooner and the
end result is a higher quality product.
6. Remember The Basics.
A little bit of QC at the end of the
job, such as verifying water flow, can
ensure repeat business.
contractors doing different jobs the
same way and the same job different
ways. I learn a lot about the right ways
and wrong ways to pave, but one rule
stays constant – if you ask 100 contrac-
tors how to pave the same job, you’ll get
99 different answers and most of them
are right.
There are certain constants, however.
I end my classes with the “7 Rules For
Success”. Full disclosure time. This was
inspired by John Ball of Top Quality
Paving, a great industry expert. Spend
a little time with him if you get a chance
and you won’t be disappointed. Here is
a quick snapshot.
1. Crew Meeting.
We’ve discussed this before. This is a
time prior to beginning the job where
you discuss topics like safety, traffic
control, successes and shortcomings of
the previous job and other constraints.
This is a time where all questions can be
answered so that there is nothing left to
chance.
2. Designate Your Operators.
Nothing is more frustrating than hav-
ing 3 guys think they are supposed to be
the roller operator and nobody thinks
they are tamping the edge. Or even
worse, having your paver operator out
www.callape.com
painting lines when the asphalt arrives.
If every crew member is clear on their
duties, then there is no room for error.
Also remember not to forget the new
guy. Assign a veteran crew member to
mentor him so he doesn’t get frustrated.
Keep in mind every Foreman was the
new guy at one time.
3. Layout The Job.
The project is more than Length x
Width x Thickness. Today’s jobs have
more Islands and breakups than ever
before. Make sure all parties involved
(especially the truck drivers) know the
start point, end point, truck entrances,
exits and cleanout areas. This way, no-
body is wandering around wondering
what’s next.
4. Communicate With The Plant.
Too many times I’m on jobsites where
the first time the plant hears about your
asphalt requirements are the day of the
job when the truck shows up at the silo
only to find out the plant is down or
they are only producing “XYZ” mix
and you need “ABC”. Talk to the plant
in advance about your job and order a
percentage of what you need. This way
you are prepared for unforeseen issues
like weather or equipment trouble.
Nothing worse than having 10 trucks
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Don’t forget what makes a quality job
such as monitoring the temperature of
your asphalt coming from the plant and
discuss any cold mix with your Fore-
man so you can determine the cause.
Also constantly monitor your yield
so that you can make sure you aren’t
over or under running on your asphalt
and, if so, find out why. Use a wood-
en straightedge (Instead of metal) to
monitor your slope and water runoff as
well as coordinating your trucks, taking
weather into consideration. Easy stuff,
right? You’d be surprised.
7. Final Job Inspection.
Job’s all done. Pack it up, boys, let’s
get out of town. Not so fast, my friend.
My recommendation is that you walk
the job and ride the joints to insure the
job is as good as you think it is. Lastly,
make your punch list and present it to
the customer before he gives you his.
This way, he’s less likely to be looking
for small problems.
Is this an all-inclusive list? No way.
What it is, is a road map for success.
Your list may include more or less, but
the end result should be the same; a
happy, paying customer and more re-
ferrals.
Brian Hall is the territory manager of Mid
South Region at ST Engineering LeeBoy, Inc.
You can contact him at [email protected].
Article sponsored by LeeBoy and Rosco.
1.800.210.5923