At Conexpo-Con/Agg 2017, MT 3000-2i MTV Offers High-Tech for High Productivity

The VÖGELE MT 3000-2i Offset PowerFeeder for the North American market -- shown at Conexpo-Con/Agg 2017 -- is a powerful, innovative material transfer vehicle which provides uninterrupted, non-contacting transfer of asphalt mix, guaranteeing the maximum paving quality with the greatest possible cost efficiency.

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With a large receiving hopper, a huge total storage capacity (material feeder and paver), and a peak conveying performance of 1,320 tons/h (1,200 tonnes/h), this VÖGELE PowerFeeder can empty a full truckload in just 60 seconds.

The conveyor of the MT 3000-2i Offset pivots to the left and right, opening up a wide range of possible applications. Its ErgoPlus operating system guarantees simple, reliable handling. Automatic distance control -- combined with anti-collision protection -- eliminates the possibility of machine contact and ensures smooth transfer.

Pivoting and Inclining Conveyor for High Versatility

Pivoting 55 degrees to the left or right, the conveyor is a key factor behind the versatility of the MT 3000-2i Offset. The maximum distance from the outside edge of the material feeder to the center of the discharge point is 11 ft. 6 in. (3.5 m). The conveyor can also be raised by up to 23 degrees from the horizontal to a discharge height of 12 ft. 9 in. (3.9 m).

This allows the machine to be used in a wide range of applications, enabling high utilization. Pavers can be fed with material from the side, for example, when paving "hot to hot". Backfilling trenches or filling cavities between safety barriers in highway construction can be done quickly and easily. Paving on shoulders and other hard-to-reach areas is also made easy. Moreover, the conveying concept has been designed so that other materials such as topsoil, base course material or recycled material can be conveyed, in addition to asphalt.

Maximum Conveying Capacity for Non-Stop Paving

Thanks to the high-performance material conveying concept and the receiving hopper holding 15 tons (13.5 tonnes), the MT 3000-2i Offset PowerFeeder can empty a 27.5-ton truck (25 tonnes) in just 60 seconds. When combined with an asphalt paver, as much as 39 tons (35 tonnes) of storage capacity is possible.

The trough-shaped conveyor belt centers the material during transfer and provides a clean and uniform flow. Tensioning cylinders guiding the rubber belt ensure center alignment of the belt. A smart automatic system accurately adjusts the belt tension as required. Innovative diesel heating keeps the conveyor at a consistent temperature to prevent the material from sticking.

Material Management as a Success Factor

Transverse conical augers homogenize all the material in the feeder‘s receiving hopper by mixing the cooler asphalt from the sides with the warmer material from the middle of the hopper. The trough-shaped conveyor belt provides a uniform material flow, ensuring mix quality is maintained in every phase of the material transfer.

In order to ensure optimum material management, a specially developed diesel heating system with non-contact infrared panels maintains the correct temperature of the conveyor belt. The path of the material is pre-heated before the transfer of material begins. These technical measures complement each other, so the paving material is in an optimal condition when being placed.

Non-Contact Material Feed Process

The non-contact transfer of material is one of the key criteria for high paving quality. Decoupling the feeding from the paving process prevents jolts by feed trucks from being transmitted to the paver. A non-contact distance control system ensures the correct space between the paver and the MT 3000-2i Offset, enhancing bonus-winning pavement smoothness.

Three laser sensors permanently measure the space between the two machines, so the control system can automatically adjust the speed of the material transfer vehicle to that of the paver. The system also automatically prevents the paver from colliding with the feeder. If the material feeder has to stop unexpectedly, the paver also stops automatically as soon as the distance between the two machines falls below the set minimum.

ErgoPlus Operating System

The ErgoPlus operating system puts the feeder operator at the heart of things, guaranteeing comfort, safety and excellent visibility at all times.

The operator‘s stand -- with its streamlined design -- is well organized, offering the machine operator a professional workplace and an unobstructed view of all crucial points on the material feeder.

The centerpiece is the feeder operator’s console. All the controls required for main and frequent functions are arranged in logical groups. Operation is intuitive and easy to learn. A joystick in the armrests of the two operator seats is used to pivot the proportionally controlled conveyor with the utmost precision and sensitivity. In fact, for the majority of applications only one person is needed to operate the material transfer vehicle. In complex feeding tasks, operation of the pivoting conveyor can be taken over by a second operator.

Powerful Drive Technology

The Deutz diesel engine delivering 215 hp (160 kW) at 2,000 rpm offers a perfect balance of power and fuel economy. Thanks to its sophisticated exhaust gas after-treatment, this engine complies with the U.S. Tier 4 final emission standard.

A fuel-saving ECO mode is available, sufficient for many applications. And even when working in ECO mode, the MT 3000-2i Offset still has a full 200 hp (150 kW) at its disposal. The large fuel tank holds 119 gallons (450 liters) for more than a day’s work without a need for refueling.

Mobile in Every Way

A strong point of the VÖGELE MT 3000-2i Offset PowerFeeder is its continuous rubber tracks. Due to the large track width of 18 in. (457 mm), operating speeds up to 250 fpm (76 m/min) are possible.

The large footprint also provides excellent flotation and tractive effort. The powerful, separate drives are integrated directly into the drive wheels of the rubber tracks, meaning that engine output is transmitted without loss of power. As a result, the PowerFeeder pushes any feed truck with ease. It can turn almost on the spot and easily masters difficult terrain with inclines and slopes.

Easy Transport

Transporting a material transfer vehicle is a cost factor that should not be underestimated. The VÖGELE PowerFeeder was designed from scratch for optimum transport, and that has a positive impact on costs.

The transport height of 10 ft. 2 in. (3.1 m), the transport width of 9 ft. 10 in. (3 m) and the outer track gauge of 8 ft. 9 in. (2.66 m) are dimensioned so the MT 3000-2i Offset can easily be transported on a conventional low-bed trailer.

Due to the machine’s low weight of 57,100 lbs. (25.9 tonnes), the material transfer vehicle is not too heavy for most roads, tunnels and bridges, and can reach its destination without special permits or time-consuming detours.