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Asphalt Kerbing Ready for the Future
Although our patented asphalt kerbing machine has been refined and improved upon, our workforce trained and retrained and our vehicles and ancillary plant replaced and modernised, one aspect of the kerbing operation has remained unchanged for decades.
Men shovelling the hot asphalt kerb material from six and eight wheel tipper lorries have now been replaced by a wholly mechanical feeding machine.
The specially designed hopper and auger discharge system was developed by our Fabrication Division based upon the brief supplied by our kerbing crews. A number of prototypes and trials were conducted at our Denaby Lane works until the final design was arrived at.
Similarly many host machines were considered before a decision to purchase J90CB Loadalls was made but now the benefits of this programme of research and development are clear to our workforce, our suppliers, our customers and their clients.
Our kerbing operation is now fully automated and free from the manual handling concerns that still trouble other kerb laying operations.
The feeder though has changed how our crew and equipment travel to and from site. A simple van and trailer can no longer accommodate the transportation of the crew, feeder, kerbing machine and ancillary equipment - instead a specially commissioned six wheel lorry is required.
Of course the additional equipment has increased our operating costs but these can be offset by increased production on larger projects. We are single minded however in our aim to reduce the risk of accidents at work and improve the safe environment within which our workforce operate.
Asphalt kerb material is tipped in approximately three tonne batches from the supply truck into the hopper mounted on the boom of the Loadall. The truck typically remains ahead of the kerber with the feeder, once full reversing back to the kerbing machine for discharge.
Asphalt kerb material is discharged from the feeder hopper by a hydraulic auger controlled by the Loadall driver. The capacity of the kerbing machine hopper is sufficient that there is no need to stop the machine whilst the feeder is refilled.
Where limited working space is available reduced width working can now be accommodated for greater lengths than when the old manual feeding methods were utilised. Again the above drawings detail the minimum widths within which we can operate.
Aside from the obvious health and safety advantages, the mechanical feeding system provides a number of productivity and quality improvements.
The delivery lorry does not have to be unsheeted at any time, therefore the asphalt kerb material is better insulated and remains at optimum temperature for longer. This temperature is vital to ensure a sound bond between the kerb and the surface upon which it is laid. Additionally the asphalt kerb material is never exposed to the elements and contamination of the asphalt from rain water is eliminated.
As the machine, unlike men, never tires the potential production available from a single crew is limited only by the quantity of kerb required.
Spillage during discharge is eliminated and waste reduced to an absolute minimum.
The construction of asphalt kerbs has changed for good and we are pleased to say for the better! We believe that there is no more durable and cost effective kerbing system available today.
We look forward to demonstrating first hand our new feeding system on your forthcoming projects.
If you have any questions or comments we would be delighted to discuss them with you. Please contact Leo Needham, our Asphalt Kerbing Division Manager - leo.needham@extrudakerb.co.uk