Skip to main content

MOBA develops new automated levelling tool

A new automated levelling tool from MOBA is available that can help improve paving quality. The system is designed to deliver a smooth and even asphalt surface, by ensuring that the height and slope of the screed on the paver is accurately maintained. This is particularly important when the machine is moving in the vertical plane due to uneven ground or sub base conditions. Achieving smoothness is important to the paving contractor. In many countries, highways authorities will pay more for smoother roads
October 9, 2015 Read time: 3 mins
MOBA claims its new system offers improved paving surface quality
A new automated levelling tool from MOBA is available that can help improve paving quality

The system is designed to deliver a smooth and even asphalt surface, by ensuring that the height and slope of the screed on the paver is accurately maintained. This is particularly important when the machine is moving in the vertical plane due to uneven ground or sub-base conditions.

Achieving smoothness is important to the paving contractor. In many countries, highways authorities will pay more for smoother roads and also penalise contractors that do not meet smoothness specifications.

Durability is a key factor in the need for smoother roads as these will last longer, improve fuel consumption (by 3-5%) and be quieter and safer to drive on. Levelling systems can help meet tight specifications and eliminate issues of poor smoothness in paved surfaces, improving efficiency for the contractor and quickly paying for the cost of the technology.

Levelling systems can be preset to pave a specific grade and slope and as the paver progresses the technology ensures the correct gradient is maintained, without any action from the operator. Levelling systems also remove the need for an operator to manually adjust the screed, providing significant savings in the cost of materials.

According to 1228 MOBA, its technology can be fitted to any paver (as well as milling machines, compactors or graders). The technology has a number of key features and its grade control is crucial, managing the height of the paver against a reference level. The system can compensate for irregularities at the sub-base level as well as height movements of the paver during driving. Meanwhile effective slope control ensures that the transverse inclination of the paver is maintained on a defined level.

The real-time control loop continually measures and corrects the screed and the grade and slope controller uses sophisticated algorithms to maintain smoothness as well as the grade and cross slope. In use, the controllers continuously make small corrections to any transitions, while also maintaining elevation and cross slope set-points.

The improved MOBA-MATIC II levelling control system now has a larger screen and backlit keypad. And with a single control panel, both sides of the screed can now be controlled from one screen. Another major upgrade has been made to MOBA’s Sonic Ski sensor, which now has five sensors that more accurately determine the distance to the reference point.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Optimising Specialist Bitumen Handling with the MEST Bitutainer™
    June 1, 2025

    As roads become more advanced and surface performance expectations rise, traditional hot bitumen is no longer the only material in demand. Across the globe, highways projects are increasingly relying on high-performance binders, from polymer-modified bitumen (PMBs) to specialist emulsions and tack coats designed for specific temperature conditions or traffic volumes.

  • Improving excavator efficiency with Trimble
    December 11, 2018
    A new development from Trimble is the integration of its LOADRITE load weighing system for excavators using the Earthworks Grade Control package. According to the firm, this will allow customers to boost productivity and efficiency for excavation work. Contractors will be able to track the load carried in each bucket and monitor mass haul progress. This can provide an accurate picture, real-time picture of earthworks progress using the Trimble Earthworks monitor fitted in the machine. This data will also be
  • Road repairs fuel demand for milling machines
    February 13, 2012
    A need for road repairs is fuelling demand for new milling machines, Mike Woof reports. With many roads in Europe and North America needing repairs, manufacturers continue to meet demand by offering improved compact milling machines, as well as full-sized planers. The versatile and manoeuvrable compact machines can play a useful role in on-site recycling jobs for urban road improvements while the larger mills can be vital for in-situ recycling work.
  • Bitumen technology: from potholes to PMB plants
    November 21, 2014
    This month we look at how warm mix is helping to pave dirt roads, a new way to tackle potholes, and bring news of a new distribution centre for the UK - Kristina Smith reports The creation of a new mix design, incorporating MWV’s warm mix additive Evotherm, is providing cost-effective solutions for dirt roads in the US’s Charleston County. The first stretch to be paved with the new porous paving in April this year, Joseph White Road in the town of Adams Run, resulted in the estimated US$1.1 million construc