Construction Machine Blog

Pavers are especially useful for small gardens. They come in different materials, from bricks to clays to natural stones. Another type is that which is made of concrete. Concrete pavers and blocks are durable, unlike clays and bricks that may crumble overtime.

Step 1
Mark the location where you will plant to put your concrete pavers by using a colored spray or landscaper’s chalk.

Step 2
Excavate or dig the area using a shovel. The depth of the area should should about 2 inches of compacted hardcore topped with about 1 to 2 inches of ballast. Do not forget to add the measurement of mortar and the thickness of paving material, so digging approximately 6 to 7 inches should work.

Step 3
Check the depth of the foundation before you lay the paving. If it is situated close to the house, make use that the paving is lower than the damp-proof course.

Step 4
Mix the concrete mortar. You can also buy pre-mixed mortar to save time. Put about five blobs of mortar where the concrete pavers will be placed. Place the blobs one at each corner of the square and one at the center.

Step 5
Cover the area with additional mortar where the concrete paving will be laid, then level the mixture.

Step 6
Position each concrete paver or slab carefully, bedding it on the mortar.

Step 7
Use a spirit-level to check that the paving is leveled. Ensure that you give the paving a slight slope so that water will flow down freely to avoid puddle formation during heavy rains. To create a slight slope, use a small wedge of wood and place under one end.

Step 8
Tap the concrete paver down further, or raise it by lifting and pacing in a little more mortar. Position the level over more than one concrete paver.

Step 9
Ensure that there is regular spacing in between the concrete pavers by using spacers of even thickness. Remove the spacers before the joints are filled with mortar. Leave it to set or dry overnight; preferably one to two days.

Step 10
Fill in the joints with mortar using a small pointing trowel. This can be used to finish off the mortar with smooth stroke to give a slight recessed to the joints. Wash off any surplus mortar before it dries to allow for an even finish.

An asphalt paver is a machine that makes roads through the process of distributing and paving asphalt. The machine has played an important part in helping to build roads and highways.
Asphalt pavers were created in 1934 by the Barber-Greene Co. Barber-Greene was founded in 1916 by Harry H. Barber and William B. Greene. This company was created to sell material handling machines in order to mechanize small manual tasks in an economical way.

Introduction

Barber-Greene was approached by members of the Chicago Testing Laboratory in 1929. The laboratory wanted to use loaders to help construct highways and streets. Barber-Greene did not go into business with Chicago Testing Laboratories but they were introduced to the asphalt business through this event.

The Great Depression

The company was barely surviving during the Great Depression, however, in 1934 Barber-Greene created the asphalt paver.
Success
After the Great Depression, Barber-Greene asphalt pavers became a huge success. They created a model of asphalt paver, the floating screed, and this paver became the standard prototype within the industry for asphalt pavers.

Modern Pavers

For more than 50 years the asphalt paver has remained relatively unchanged but currently some improved features are in use. These features include hydrostatic closed-loop systems, the ability to hydraulically change the screed width and the material transfer vehicle, which feeds asphalt to the paver when needed.

Running an asphalt paver takes training and knowledge of how the controls on the paver work. Once you have been trained in the use of the paver, running it takes time and careful command. Running an asphalt paver is a three-person operation.

1. Start the asphalt paver and spray diesel fuel, or a soy- or citrus-based release agent, on every part of the paver that will be in contact with the asphalt. This will reduce the chances of the asphalt sticking to the paver.
2. Heat the screed, or leveling device. If the paver screed is electric, turn the screed on. If it is a propane screed, light the propane burners on the main screed and the extensions. Wait for the screed bottom to reach a minimum of 250 degrees.
3. Build a start pad with the asphalt or two-by-fours to determine the depth of your finished product. Put the paver screed to float, and it will drop down to your start pad.
4. Turn on the conveyors and augers. Have the paver truck or transfer machine dump the asphalt into the paver hop machine. The truck or transfer machine is controlled by the paver operator with hand signals. As the asphalt comes out of the truck and is conveyed back to the augers, the left or right-hand screed operator determines the width and the amount of material being run through the conveyors and augers. Tipping the paver screed backward will raise the depth, while tipping it forward will lower the depth. The paver pushes the transfer machine or truck as it paves.
5. At the end of an asphalt pull, stop the conveyor and auger a short distance before your stopping point.