VÖGELE “Dash 3” generation road paver captivates visitors at Nordbau 2014.

VÖGELE impress with their “Dash 3” generation road pavers, time and again. Cutting-edge technology and user-friendliness are the basis for this innovative and eco-friendly asphalt paver featuring low consumption.

"Vögele EcoPlus" reduces emissions

The machine concept of the "Dash 3" generation focuses entirely on "lower consumption – lower emissions – lower costs". The "Vögele EcoPlus" low-emissions package combines a number of individual measures that distinctly reduce the fuel consumption and noise of "Dash 3" pavers:

Splitter gearbox

When the paver is stationary, e.g. while waiting, all hydraulic pumps for "traction", "conveyors and augers" as well as "compaction" are automatically disengaged after about one minute. Fuel consumption is reduced considerably by this new function. Reducing drag also makes it significantly easier to start the paver at low outside temperatures.

Energy-optimized tamper drive

The tamper is driven by a variable-displacement hydraulic pump which always delivers exactly the amount of oil needed for the current tamper speed. Not a drop more or less.

Variable-speed fan

The speed of the variable-speed fan automatically adapts to the engine load and the ambient temperature. The fan is driven via a viscous coupling. In contrast to a hydraulic drive, this new type of fan drive stands out through its considerably greater energy efficiency. It is also very much quieter.

Controlled hydraulic oil temperature circuit

A bypass circuit allows the hydraulic oil to reach its optimum operating temperature very quickly. This in turn permits rapid, fuel-saving operation of the paver. If the oil temperature rises above the optimum level of 50 – 70 °C, a bypass diverts the oil through the cooler assembly.

"PaveDock Assistant" – the clever link between feed vehicle and paver

A constant supply of mix is essential to produce a level and high-quality pavement. That's why Vögele developed the "PaveDock Assistant" for their "Dash 3" generation of pavers. This exceedingly efficient system greatly facilitates communication between the paver operator and the driver of the feed vehicle, and it ensures that the mix is supplied to the paver safely and without jolts.

Signal lights on the paver and the associated controls on the paver operator's ErgoPlus 3 console are key components of the "PaveDock Assistant" communication system. The paver has two signal lights mounted on the right and left of the hardtop. With these lights, the paver operator can give the driver of the feed vehicle unmistakable signals, indicating what needs to be done (e.g. reverse, stop, dump mix). Having two lights, each in an elevated position on the machine's hardtop, ensures that all signals are clearly visible to the driver of the feed vehicle from all angles of approach.

Sprung "PaveDock" push-rollers

In addition to the "PaveDock Assistant", Vögele also offer the innovative sprung "PaveDock" push-rollers. This particularly robust system efficiently absorbs impacts when the feed vehicle docks onto the paver. In combination, these two systems ensure maximum process safety when transferring the mix. A sensor installed in the sprung "PaveDock" push-rollers sends a signal to the "PaveDock Assistant" whenever a feed vehicle has docked onto the paver. The signal lights automatically display a Stop symbol and the driver of the feed vehicle can react immediately. In this way, the combination of "PaveDock Assistant" and "PaveDock" push-rollers ensures a particularly smooth transfer of material without jolts.

Improved operation with ErgoPlus 3

The user-friendly ErgoPlus operating system, which has already proved its practical value on job sites for years, has been enhanced with useful supplementary features for the new "Dash 3" generation. The paver operator’s console, for example, comes with a large colour display which provides brilliant readability even in poor lighting conditions. The graphic design of the user interface and language-neutral symbols allow intuitive operation. What's more, the driver's seat and the console on the paver operator’s platform as well as the screed operator's workstation can be adjusted even more easily to the operators’ needs. Side panelling affords effective protection from the wind and rain.

Automated processes with "AutoSet Plus"

"AutoSet Plus" offers two useful automatic functions: the repositioning and transport function makes it easy to continue the work when changing between job site sections or after the paver has been transported. Depending on the paver type, the following functions are triggered by simply pressing the Execute button: screed, augers, hydraulic hopper front, conveyors and the deflectors in front of the crawler tracks are brought into the transport position. Briefly reversing the conveyors prevents that material is spilled. When the paver has relocated, everything is restored to the previously saved working position by pressing the button again. This ensures that no settings are lost when changing back and forth between pave and job site modes or transport. It also effectively prevents damage to the augers and the deflectors in front of the crawler tracks. Each function can be deactivated separately via the ErgoPlus 3 menu.

With VÖGELE pavers of the Universal Class and Highway Class, the automatic function for paving programs, on the other hand, allows the operating personnel to store specific programs in the paving process. The values for the compacting systems (tamper speed, vibrator speed, pressure for the pressure bars), the height of the auger, the position of the tow point rams, the pressure for Screed Assist and the pave speed can be saved on the display screen of the paver operator's console. The set crown and the temperature of the screed are also recorded. This information is rounded off with further details about the material used, the layer thickness and the pave width. Once stored, the program can then be retrieved and reused whenever needed.

Cutting-edge drive technology for perfect laydown rates

Every "Dash 3" paver is driven by a modern, powerful, and totally reliable diesel engine. It ensures that the pavers apply their laydown rate to the road at exactly the defined pave speed. Since different emission control standards apply around the world, the "Dash 3" pavers are also available as a "Dash 3i" version. The suffix "i" stands for "intelligent emission control" and is found in the type names of all WIRTGEN GROUP machines which are equipped with special ultramodern engines. These engines comply with the strict emission standards governing mobile machines in EU and EFTA countries, the USA, Canada and Japan since 2011. For all other countries, the "Dash 3" pavers are supplied with a modern diesel engine complying with the European exhaust emissions standard COM 3a and the US standard EPA Tier 3.

Highest process safety, less fuel consumption, more operator comfort. These are characteristics of the “Dash 3” paver generation made by Vögele.

Perfect communication on delivery of the material: in combination with the "PaveDock Assistant", the "PaveDock" push-rollers make a key contribution to process safety.

ErgoPlus has been supplemented by a number of ergonomic and functional features and thus further developed to ErgoPlus 3.

The automatic functions of "AutoSet Plus" enable recurring functions to be automated, for enhanced quality and added convenience in the paving process.