ASPHALT ANSWERS
For those of us fortunate to pave year round , winter still produces many obstacles , such as rapid cooling of material .
For companies in the northern region , the season is winding down quickly . This means preserving your two 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 .
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December 2022