Highways Magazine Aug Sept 2013 Page 58

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58 EQUIPMENT AUG/SEPT 2013 www.highwaysmagazine.co.

uk

The application of asphalt


Plant Supply has launched a new system that converts an ordinary tipper truck into a
complete asphalt/aggregate application system in just 15 minutes. Highways editor
Alec Peachey finds out more

The Sprider M25 offers a quicker highest possible standards, especially an ideal time to bring the product to
alternative to traditional hand when used in conjunction with our market.
laying techniques and allows a Scandanavian sourced high thermal
“The UK’s road network has reached
user to spread the exact amount of ability tipper bodies.
a critical status in terms of quality
asphalt just where it is needed. “We have proven in UK trials for some and maintenance and the pressure
of the largest contractors that loading on these roads is rapidly reaching
This means less manual work in breaking point,” he notes. “The lack
mini pavers with the M25 has led to
shovelling, raking and clearing up. As a of investment has resulted in the poor
a dramatic increase in work rate and
user, you just have to fold the Sprider overall condition of our roads and the
performance.”
arm down and start the screw to feed responsibility for this is governmental.
the asphalt out.
Speed and accuracy There needs to be a medium to long
The Sprider is fully insulated, which term strategy of investment in new
The insulation means that the asphalt
means that it retains heat and roads and extensive rehabilitation of
can be left in the Sprider arm when
makes the asphalt easier to rake out the existing infrastructure.”
moving around a site and during short
and compact. breaks it won’t solidify. In addition, the According to the company, Sprider
Plant Supply, which is based in insulation means it less likely that the can be adapted to suit customer
Mid Glamorgan, was established to asphalt will stick, which makes cleaning requirements as there is a choice of
distribute equipment into the recycling easier. If the insulation is not thick specifications for the transport arm.
and quarry sectors. It represents a enough, the Sprider can be equipped The range can be varied between 4.3
number of manufacturers in Europe – with electric heating. and five metres, which means that the
the main supplier being Smico – one of Sprider arm can reach an area of 32
The system can also be retrofitted to
the oldest quarry and asphalt screener to 50m2. In the transport position, the
most insulated tipper trucks and can
manufacturers in the world. Sprider can either be lifted vertically
demount and remount in five minutes.
or fixed at an angle to the truck bed.
The company is the sole distributor of Adds Reilly: “The M25 allows manpower The vertical transport position makes
Sprider in the UK and Ireland. Managing to be redistributed as it only takes the vehicle shorter, with more space for
director Sean Reilly said: “When I two people to operate and lay asphalt a trailer, whereas the angled position
first viewed the Sprider equipment it at rates of up to 30 to 40 tonnes per gives better ground clearance.
became evident that it represented a hour with no manual lifting involved.
major technological advancement in This means that it is not just suitable
asphalt handling and application. for hand laying but can also be used to Advantages
supply a small asphalt spreader beside è Fast set up time at job site
“The M25 radically improves work rates
the road.”
of hand laying and pothole repairs and è Reduced manual handling
ensures the quality and application With the state of the UK’s road network
è Improved presentation of material
of asphalt being applied is of the reaching crisis point Reilly feels it is
to application site
è Reduced wastage
è High work rates
è Reduced manpower requirement
èP
 roduct retention and workability
greatly increased.

Asphalt can be laid


at rates of up to 30
to 40 tonnes per hour
with the Sprider

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