Skip to main content

Pioneering move for Cat paver

Melbourne winters are known as some of the coldest of all state capital cities on Australia's mainland, and its summers can be brutally hot. As a result, roads in the region need to be regularly maintained to ensure safety and promote longevity. Pioneer Road Services, headquartered in Victoria, recently took delivery of the first Cat AP300 asphalt paver to Australia, and it will be the first to play a role in maintaining the city's roads throughout the seasons. With the help of Cat dealer William Adams and
July 16, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
The first Cat AP300 asphalt paver in Australia
Melbourne winters are known as some of the coldest of all state capital cities on Australia's mainland, and its summers can be brutally hot. As a result, roads in the region need to be regularly maintained to ensure safety and promote longevity.
Pioneer Road Services, headquartered in Victoria, recently took delivery of the first Cat AP300 asphalt paver to Australia, and it will be the first to play a role in maintaining the city's roads throughout the seasons.

With the help of Cat dealer William Adams and the 178 Caterpillar commissioning team, Pioneer Road Services put the new paver finisher through its inaugural paces on an important shoulder reconstruction project for an 8km stretch of highway between Pakenham and Drouin, southeast of Melbourne.

According to the paving crew on site, the project was challenging. Traffic control was critical, as the road was busy and space was at a premium. With the project's narrow paving width, machine productivity and manoeuvrability were critical. Pioneer Road Services knew the powerful, yet small, Cat AP300 with electric screed (model AS3173) would fit the bill, as crews raced to resurface the shoulders of the busy highway in preparation for the approaching winter.

Available in both LPG and electric heating systems, the hydraulic power extendable AS3173 screed offers variable frequency tamper or vibrators, and lays material to the desired depth and width. With mechanical extensions added to both sides, its maximum paving width can reach 4m.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • LeeBoy introduces new asphalt pavers
    March 10, 2017
    LeeBoy is introducing a line-up of four new asphalt pavers that all benefit from Tier 4 Final diesels at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2017. Performance has been upgraded across the board, with the new generation Kubota engines offering increased power, lower emissions and reduced fuel consumption.
  • Material transfer vehicles for Poland
    April 1, 2014
    Roadtec Shuttle buggies are now being used on major road projects in Poland. This follows a decision made by the Polish road authority, GDDKIA, to use material transfer vehicles on highway projects. The need for a smooth running surface is paramount on highways as in Poland these tolled links can allow speed limits of up to 140km/h. This is why GDDKIA decided the use of a material transfer vehicle was crucial to optimising mix delivery into pavers, so as to help optimise surface finish.
  • North African roads
    February 8, 2012
    Morocco has a rapidly expanding road network, which is benefiting from expertise offered by French contractor Colas