ASPHALT ANSWERS
The winter months are a great time to bring those “ experienced ” machines up to date .
For companies in the northern region , the season is winding down quickly . This means preserving your 2 main resources ; your machines and your labor . If you are a regular reader , you know I stress maintenance of your machines and this is most important in the winter . Be sure to hit all the grease points one last time and perform your 500 hr / yearly service . Check your chain tightness and replace any bent conveyors . There are many opinions on filling the fuel tank , but I believe that filling your fuel tank is essential . It prevents the buildup of condensation , which can lead to failures down the road . You will need to add a conditioner to your fuel to prevent any gelling in low temperatures . Be sure to run the machine to make sure the conditioner is distributed throughout the fuel system . I hope it goes without saying , but chisel away any asphalt that has hardened onto the machine . Also consider using your local paver dealer to perform these services as they are trained to make sure that you are ready to roll when the plants open . Many of these dealers will offer winter specials to aid in keeping their shops full . While the paver is your primary focus , don ’ t forget your other machines as well . Refer to your owner ’ s manual for detailed information on all of your machines . One machine that might get overlooked is your tack tank . Make sure it is completely flushed and empty and you may want to even store some diesel fuel in the tank to make sure any residual emulsion doesn ’ t set up . Your crew will thank you when it ’ s time to get back to work . Speaking of your crew , don ’ t forget the endless hours that they put in for you , including some nights and weekends for sure . An enduring problem is making sure that they don ’ t stray during the winter . Bonuses and incentives for your top performers are key in making sure that they are on the job when you need them . Today ’ s job market is highly competitive and your team needs to stay intact to ensure that you have one less issue when you return . The other portion of the industry is business as usual , sort of . In the southeast US , with some exceptions , it could be balmy today and freezing the next . This causes a whole different set of challenges . Always expect that the material will cool off quicker . This means making sure that your haul trucks travel the shortest distance possible and always tarp your load . Keep your paver moving , avoiding starts and stops keeps the crust from forming at the screed and in the hopper . Speaking of the hopper , never run it empty . The cooling of the steel in the winter will certainly cool your material faster than desired , showing up as imperfections in the mat . Remind your roller operator that density in the cooler weather is an added challenge . Allowing the finished mat to cool prematurely will cause failures down the road that will cause warranty repairs . Winter paving is typically quite lucrative because of the urgency of the jobs , so make sure to earn your payday . Equipment issues seem to pop up in the winter time as well . Make sure that all your machines are ready for those days when working at below freezing temps cannot be avoided . We hope everyone had a great year . During this season of giving , make sure that you don ’ t forget to give a little back , especially right in your hometown . I love seeing the reports of paving companies participating in the local parade and other festivities , putting smiles on the faces of the community . Drop us a line and let us know what your company does this holiday season .
Brian Hall , LeeBoy Territory Manager . He can be reached via email at Brian . Hall @ leeboy . com . www . callape . com [ 34 ] 1.800.210.5923