Vögele Present 11 World Firsts at bauma 2013

At bauma in Munich, Joseph Vögele AG will present a total of eleven world firsts in the field of pavers and extending screeds to the trade public. A completely new category of pavers – the "dash 3" generation – heralds the next stage in road construction. These innovative, eco-friendly and economical asphalt pavers are based on cost-efficient cutting-edge technology.

Advertisement

“EcoPlus” reduces emissions
The machine concept of the "dash 3" generation focuses entirely on "lower consumption – lower emissions – lower costs". The “EcoPlus” low-emissions package combines a number of individual measures distinctly reducing 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 "compacting systems" 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 pump which always delivers exactly the amount of oil needed for the current tamper speed. No more and no less – that saves fuel.

Variable-speed fan

The speed of the variable-speed fan automatically adjusts in line with engine load and ambient temperature, as well as the temperature of the oil and cooling water. The fan is driven via a viscous coupling in accordance with temperature and engine load. 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 high-quality pavement. That is 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. In this way, “PaveDock” substantially improves process reliability during transfer of the material.

Signal lights on the paver and the associated controls on the paver operator's ErgoPlus^®3 console are key components of the “PaveDock” 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 paver’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 now also offer the innovative sprung “PaveDock” push-rollers as an optional extra. This particularly robust system efficiently absorbs impacts when the feed vehicle docks onto the paver. In combination, these two systems ensure maximum process reliability 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 the new “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 has been enhanced with useful supplementary features for the new "dash 3" generation. The redesigned four-colour display, for example, has a high-contrast user interface ensuring brilliant readability even in poor lighting conditions. The graphic user interface and all symbols comply with all the latest requirements in respect of product design. Self-explanatory symbols that are understood in all languages allow the operator to work intuitively. What's more, the driver's seat and the paver operator's console on the operator platform, as well as the screed consoles can now be adjusted even more easily to the operator's needs. Side panelling affords effective protection from the wind and rain.

Easy relocation with “AutoSet^®”
With the new “AutoSet^®” function, the paver is quickly and safely prepared to move to another location on the job site. Screed, augers, hydraulic hopper front, conveyors and the deflectors in front of the crawler tracks are moved into transport position simply by pressing the Execute button. 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. It also effectively prevents damage to the augers and deflectors. Each function can be deactivated separately via the ErgoPlus^®3 menu.

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 emissions 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.

Ultramodern screed technology
Together with the tractor units, Vögele have also improved their screed technology and developed new AB 500 and AB 600 extending screeds. These screeds are ideal for all manner of jobs requiring variability and adaptability. With their infinitely variable single-tube telescoping system, the screeds cover an almost limitless range of job applications with pave widths from 2 m to 9.5 m. Detailed information can be found in the separate Press Release.

At this year's bauma, Joseph Vögele AG is also presenting two extending screeds which are specially tailored to the needs of the North American market and the VISION pavers. With their cutting-edge screed technology, the VF 500 (extending units in front of the basic screed) and VR 600 (extending units behind the basic screed) guarantee a perfect paved result.

Photos: