SHAWN HUTCHINGS
ASPHALT ANSWERS
Does a Motor Grader Have a Place on an Asphalt Paving Project ?
SHAWN HUTCHINGS
M otor graders are versatile machines commonly used in various construction projects . These units are essential for leveling and shaping new road surfaces , ensuring a smooth and even finish . Motor graders are also employed to maintain and repair existing road surfaces by filling in ruts , smoothing out bumps and restoring proper drainage . Motor graders help in spreading and leveling base materials for roads and parking lots as well . They can be used to excavate and shape ditches for effective drainage , preventing water accumulation on roadways . They are also very useful on landscaping projects to contour land and create slopes , ensuring proper water runoff . In colder climates , motor graders are often utilized for snow removal on roads and highways . In construction projects , motor graders help level and prepare sites for building foundations and other structures . They assist in creating level pads for placing temporary or permanent structures . They are used to prepare the subgrade for asphalt or concrete paving by creating a stable and level base . Motor graders do come in various sizes , and each size serves different purposes and applications in construction projects . Large motor graders feature blade lengths of 14 feet or more and can weigh upwards of 40,000 pounds , and are used for heavy-duty applications , such as highway construction , large earthmoving projects and significant grading tasks . Their size and power make them suitable for handling substantial material and achieving high production rates . Medium motor graders generally have blade lengths of 12 to 16 feet and weigh between 20,000 to 40,000 pounds . Medium units
are commonly used for municipal road maintenance , parking lot grading and larger construction projects . They provide a good balance of power and maneuverability , making them versatile for various tasks . Small motor graders typically have a blade length of around 8 to 12 feet and a weight of about 10,000 to 20,000 pounds . These units are ideal for smaller projects , such as residential road construction , parking lots with planter boxes , landscaping and maintenance of narrow pathways . They are also suitable for tight spaces where maneuverability is essential . These are perfect for most asphalt crews . The variety of sizes in motor graders allows for flexibility in addressing different construction needs , ensuring that projects can be completed efficiently and effectively . Selecting the appropriate size is crucial for optimizing performance and achieving the desired outcomes in grading tasks . Larger graders may come with higher operating costs . It ’ s essential to balance size with the project ’ s budget and expected returns . When using motor graders to prepare an asphalt paving site , it ’ s important to first understand asphalt material yields . Asphalt material yields significantly impact profitability on a paving job . Here are a few examples .
1 . Material Cost Yield efficiency : Higher yields mean that a greater volume of asphalt is effectively utilized in the paving process . If the yield is low , more material is wasted , leading to higher overall material costs .
[ 30 ] www . callape . com 1.800.210.5923