MarathonEquipmentInc. com • 1-888-999-4041
ASPHALT ANSWERS
ufacturers were unveiling. I am constantly monitoring current trends in the industry, attending educational seminars and industry association meetings throughout the year. Although there are some questions and concerns with federal funding, it seems everyone has a full calendar and projecting another solid year of growth. A few areas both private contractors and governmental agencies seem to be more focused on than ever are asphalt care, maintenance and life cycle of roads. I see plenty of focus on pothole repair, crack sealing, chip spreading, road widening and rejuvenation with increased interest and requests for information from all end users. This is not to say that paving is slowing down. That would be the farthest from the truth, but the market seems to be trending even further into these specific applications. Interestingly, as I explored the floors of the major shows, there were more and more of these products available than I have ever seen. What was once a season extender for many commercial
contractors, now has become a full-time crew. On the governmental side, it has become evident that budget restraints and less staffing availability has led to privatization for much of the heavy lifting. That includes an increased need to extend the life of roads until funding is available for replacement, which has created opportunity for many companies to initiate maintenance crews and expand their offerings. With so many unique options and methods of approaching this business, it is important that the contractor and municipal customer look for the solutions that produce the desired volume of work, keep operators safe and provide the simplest most reliable method to get the job done. This is important because as anyone that has been in the industry for any amount of time and follows local social media knows, the complaints and jabs regarding potholes are relentless. For patching there is spray injection, whether it be from a truck or a trailer. There are multiple repair products that
mix with water, infrared, asphalt hot boxes, mastic and cold patch material from the back of a dump truck. All these methods provide a result, but which one works best for you in your area and for your production schedule? I am a big fan of spray injection and hot boxes, as they each provide proven long-lasting results, with easily operated equipment and very little preventative maintenance or wear parts required. Additionally, each of these methods are well represented throughout the U. S. and Canada with retail and rental options available for each. They also provide a great additional revenue source, or a simple solution for a huge problem. Mainline and commercial paving product offerings continue to shock and awe, with more automation, more intelligence, and more and more specialized machines. Manufacturers continue to expand their offerings and are listening to the operator, whether it be fighting for their comfort, product satisfaction or stating their loyalty for the brand. I found some unique
PREMIUM HOT BOXES
Available In 2-Ton & 4-Ton Capacities Oil-Jacketed Hopper Diesel Fired Burner System Automatic Temperature Control System Hydraulic Dump System 120v Plug-In Overnight Heater
MarathonEquipmentInc. com • 1-888-999-4041
2-YEAR WARRANTY PLUS A 5-YEAR TRAILER FRAME WARRANTY
For More Information On This Advertiser Please Visit www. CallAPE. com / e-inquiry [ 38 ] www. callape. com 1.800.210.5923