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

  • Trimble offers sophisticated machine control package for mills and slipformers
    April 17, 2013
    Trimble’s sophisticated PCS900 machine control system can now be used on milling machines and slipform pavers, as well as featuring additional functionalities. Jeroen Snoeck, global segment manager for Trimble Navigation, said, “It used to be just for asphalt pavers but now we’re adding two more machines, mills and slipform pavers.”
  • Concrete paving key to Berlin's airport runways
    February 17, 2012
    High production concrete paving is proving a key feature at the new Berlin airport facility currently under construction The new Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport will soon provide improved links by air to the city. Work started in mid 2006 with the redevelopment of the existing Berlin Schönefeld Airport.
  • Machine control used for road revamp for Arkansas highway
    June 23, 2015
    A historic route in the US state of Arkansas has benefited from the use of machine control during its upgrade The south-west - north-east US Route 67 in Arkansas has long been a significant transport route. This old road follows the natural break between the Ozark Mountains and the Ouachita Mountains. In the 1920s, funding became available for road paving, and the route was designated US Route 67.
  • MOBA develops innovative excavator control package
    January 6, 2017
    MOBA is now offering a sophisticated excavator control package that has been developed in partnership with Finnish firm Novatron. The package has been developed along modular lines and the firm’s marketing manager Christine Seidel said, “Once the sensors are installed in the excavator you can start off with the low cost system and upgraded it later.”