Paving specialist Vögele is offering some innovative machines for the paving market. The company is now offering and an upgraded version of its dual layer paving system, an emulsion sprayer package for the Super 1800-2 paver and a new operator training system.

The dual layer equipment features the latest generation Super 2100-2 paver for laying the base course as well as either a Super 1800-2 or Super 1600-2 for laying the wearing course on top.

Because the second paver operates directly behind the first and on top of the hot asphalt, the larger machine being used to lay the base course features a specially modified version of the AB500-2 screed that can achieve high compaction levels.

According to Roland Schug, marketing manager for the Vögele range, this screed can achieve compaction rates of 97-100% in some applications. Coupled with the slightly wider tracks fitted to the paver used for laying the wearing course, this ensures that the second machine does not sink into the surface of the freshly laid base course.

Both of these pavers are fed by a Vögele MT1000 transfer machine, with an automatic distance control ensuring that all three units follow each other precisely without risk of bumping into one another.

Although this is a new system the technology is already proven as Vögele''s prototype dual layer paving train laid some 600,000m2 of asphalt during development testing, which started last year.

Schug said that one advantage of the Vögele dual layer paving system is that it can be used to repair single lanes with live traffic running alongside, allowing resurfacing of lanes on major highways that are wearing due to high levels of heavy truck traffic. Another advantage of the Vögele dual layer paving system according to Schug is that all three machines in the train can be converted back to standard specification for use on more conventional paving operations.

The emulsion sprayer package can be fitted to a Super 1800-2 paver in just a few hours. Because the system is pressurised pressurized and features specially designed spray nozzles, it is also considerably cleaner than conventional emulsion spraying systems according to Schug.

Meanwhile the firm''s training system features an operator station and Vögele''s ErgoPlus controls and uses a large TV screen. Using this allows operators to receive basic training in the paving system and should help efficiency on the worksite.