New Volvo electric screeds heat up large-scale paving

New thermo-controlled fixed screeds now available for Volvo’s large tracked paver range

ELECTRICALLY heated fixed screeds have been introduced by Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) to make large-scale paving even more cost-effective and to boost the productivity and efficiency of major road projects.

With the launch of the MB122 and VTD121 electro thermo-controlled fixed screeds for their large tracked pavers, Volvo CE are not only growing their range of screeds, but also empowering customers to produce the high-quality finishes they have come to expect, and now in less time with less effort.

Thanks to their ability to produce speedy, consistent, and evenly spread heating from a single source of power, electrically heated screeds offer a highly convenient solution. Powered by a 55kVA on-board generator, there is no longer a need for customers to refill gas bottles to heat the screed. The result is a fast start-up, maximum uptime, and a more efficient work site.

These new fixed screeds are now available on the Volvo P6820D ABG, P7820D ABG, and P8820D ABG models and benefit from an expansive paving width of 2.5–13m. They have been designed to lay everything from hot asphalt through to dry, lean roller-compacted concrete and cement-bound materials, all the way to railway ballast and graded mineral mixes.

The new electric heating function allows a start-up in just 40mins. When combined with one heated tamper bar and two heating elements per screed section for optimized heat distribution, precise thermo-controlled heating with an automatic temperature adjustment and individual temperature sensors per section, Volvo CE say customers can be guaranteed a speedy and efficient screed heating process.

Maximized pre-compaction is paramount to achieving a greater density in the finished mat, resulting in a longer-lasting pavement and lower operating costs, and according to Volvo CE, the new vibratory and tamping fixed screeds provide just that, delivering the smoothest possible finish for any job. Featuring variable vibration speed and tamper stroke, they can be specified with either a single or double tamper bar solution.

Volvo fixed vibratory screeds with double tampers are said to be the best partners for paving thick layers. The double-tamper technology delivers 5–7% more compaction than with a single tamper and can achieve a 98% Marshall density, substantially reducing rolling work requirements and associated costs. It also provides the best-possible even surface due to the feeding effect of the first tamper.

With a crown adjustment of +4% to –2% and extension boxes to work across a variety of paving widths, the new screed solutions provide great flexibility for any job. Vario extensions, with an extension range of 0.75m on each side, allow the screed to extend or retract as needed in order to adapt to irregular edges, while manual or hydraulic end gates are an optional feature to control the flow of material on either side.

The new on-board diagnostic function helps to check the condition of the heating bars and detect if and where a replacement is needed, ensuring minimum downtime. Uptime is also secured with easy screed assembly and straightforward maintenance. The possibility for an easy lift of screed sections is supplied through two central lifting eyes per section, whilst integrated hose and cable routing provides a clear path for assembly. In addition, hydraulic connecting points and easily accessed electric connections, as well as service points and tamper bars that are within easy reach, makes assembly and maintenance quick and easy.

As with all Volvo screeds, these new electrically heated solutions benefit from decades of experience and close collaboration with customers to best suit their needs. If versatility is required, Volvo offers Variomatic screeds which can be extended to double their basic width.