New Vision Series Pavers Set New Industry Standard
The new Vision Series of 10-ft. tracked and wheeled asphalt pavers from Vögele America Inc. constitutes a powerful new set of tools for asphalt contractors to use to better serve customers, optimize productivity, and enhance cash flow. The pavers are now available from Vögele America Inc. To take a closer look at these new products Wirtgen Technology conducted this interview with Brodie Hutchins, general manager, and Steve McClellan, inside sales manager, Vögele America Inc., in Chambersburg, Pa.
Wirtgen Technology: What is the Vision Series of pavers?
Brodie Hutchins: The 10-ft. Vision Series incorporates the tracked Vision 5200-2 and the wheeled Vision 5203-2, the highest evolution of asphalt paver design to-date.
These pavers are quieter, cooler, and more productive than either competing pavers or our predecessor models. And there is definitely style to these machines, compared to the other ìboxesî that are out on the market.
There are a flat deck, streamlined hopper wings, and raked exhaust stacks coming out the back. As we solved technical requirements we were able to address aesthetic design issues as well.
Why the Vision Series now?
The Vision Series 5200-2 tracked paver, and 5203-2 wheeled paver, put us ahead of the competition for the best asphalt pavers in North America. Our worthy competitors have worked hard to raise the bar, and now we have responded in-kind.
We leveraged technology from around the globe to refine the Vision Series and in particular, have benefited from the experience at Vögeleís Mannheim plant, where they build over 2,000 pavers each year. That is three times the size of the U.S. market and their extensive volume and experience has paid off in the Vision Series design.
We looked at the specific requirements demanded by U.S. and North American contractors, and looked at Vögeleís existing technology as the global market leader. We integrated proven Vögele technologies such as our conveyor and auger feeder systems, and screed assist, and put it into a package for North America, which required a platform that was lower and wider than seen in Europe.
They donít build 10-ft. pavers in Europe. To put these cutting-edge European technologies into a lower and wider package was a big departure for the industry.
The bogie wheel design leverages this technology to benefit North American contractors. We now have three different version of a wheel machine; one with rear wheel drive, one with two-wheel front-wheel assist ñ which weíve always offered as an option ñ and a new version, with six-wheel drive. On this paver, all wheels are turning.
Is the Vision Series a reworking of an existing design, or a brand-new design concept?
This is a new, clean-sheet design, unencumbered by retention of old design elements, yet leveraging proven Vögele Super Series technology.
Consider the front of the machine. There is nothing obstructing the view from the
operator, so heís not having to move around, trying to see around different obstacles. Instead, he can sit in his station and go, while the engine and fumes exhaust are expelled behind him. Weíve designed the slope of the machine and hood so the operator can see the sides, the hopper, and the conveyors in the back, without having to move around.
So the "Vision" in Vision Series is more than just a fancy term?
Yes. Significant visibility and ergonomic changes in the operatorís station are part of the Vision design. The operatorís stations now swing out from both edges of the machine, for superior visibility to the sides, behind and into the hopper.
In addition to the operator's stations swinging out, the control console slides side-to-side and also swivels and tilts.
Noise and heat are big issues, especially with Tier III engines. The Vision Series suppresses noise and redirects exhaust and heat away from everybody with raked, streamlined exhaust pipes that reinforce the impression of forward movement.
Forward visibility is phenomenal and operators will be productive and happy in their environment. They will have unparalleled visibility without turning. Operator comfort is a given; even cupholders are provided.
Did the clean-sheet design result in improved electrical systems and electronics?
Instead of a hodge-podge electrical system built around a manufacturerís electrical, electronics and wiring suppliers ñ where there are so many variables that the electrical system ends up being a combination of what those three groups supply -- our electrical system was designed by us and we own the technology, including the NIVELTRONIC PlusÆ leveling system.
As a result, we know exactly what is happening from an electrical standpoint on this machine. This ownership of technology is reflected across the Wirtgen Group, in the Wirtgen cold mills and surface miners, and in Hamm compactors. We own that technology and if there are glitches, we donít have three different people all pointing their fingers at four other people. Instead, our electronics group can resolve the issue quickly and with minimum delay.
What are some of the practical design aspects that will enhance crew productivity?
We put some practical design features in this machine, based on what goes on at a job site, things as simple as robust, fold-up tool racks. Instead of the workers throwing tools up on the deck and platform, Vögele has made places for them. Shovels, lutes and brooms can be hung up on the racks on either side of the paver, and the cooler can go up there too.
There are lockable compartments, one under each seat and one under the deck. This will enable contractors to stow their sensors for the night without them being put in a pickup truck, and then having to worry that the employee with the truck may not show up the next day.
Vision Series makes the crewís life easier in other ways. They donít have to check fluid levels everyday, or check other inspection points. There are no daily checks on this machine. Weíve eliminated the 10-hour maintenance interval of checking fluids, levels and tensions. Instead, if anything is wrong it shows up on the display panel. Itís a reliable feedback function, part of our Ergo-Plus system, which has been out for three years now.
How are paving systems optimized in the Vision Series?
The hydraulic front apron also makes the crewís life easier, cutting way back on shoveling. This hydraulic front apron mounted at the front of the machine prevents forward spillage of asphalt mix. Just hit a button, the hopper wings rise, and the front apron rises. Vögele has had this technology for years.
Another feature is self-tensioning conveyors. Typically thatís a manual adjustment; when there gets to be too much play or ìslopî in the conveyor chain it has to be adjusted. The Vision Series has hydraulic cylinders that keep the pressure on. Weíre giving the crew fewer things to check and adjust, and less hassle day-to-day.
To change the push roller, it just unbolts. Also, the standard push roller on the Vision machine is a three-position push roller; you can position it in three different configurations, each two inches apart. Depending on your truck overhang, it can be rapidly changed by moving a pin.
How has the hopper and conveyor/auger system been improved?
Steve McClellan: There is an individual joint hopper dump design with the Vision Series. You can dump one side, or the other side, or both, at the same time. Most other models require you dump both wings at the same time. Thatís a carry-over from the Super Series.
There are no flow gates in this machine. Conventional North American design had a flow gate to measure the amount of material going through the tunnel area below the bulkhead, and any independent movement was only side to side. The auger was tied to the conveyor in a ratio, so the faster you ran the auger, the faster you had to run the conveyor in ratio.
We've eliminated the flow gates and gone with the independent conveyor and auger drive. Each conveyor is driven separately and independently from the auger. There is a mechanical sensor for each side of the conveyor, and a sonic feed sensor that senses the auger material. Also, each conveyor and each auger are reversible, so the material can be backed up.
A contractor will have better control of material without the flow gates. He or she can control the conveyors and auger separately, and move material to match his or her work that day. For example, if you are paving offset, and need to move material only on one side, the individual hopper dump will let you move material in the hopper from one side to the other, while independently controlling the conveyor.
On the tracked 5200-2, in the front of the machine, in front of the rubber tracks, is a strike-off plow or plate which drops down and keeps the machine from riding over a ìhillî of hot mix asphalt, or getting asphalt mix in the tracks. Itís convenient for the crews, helps the operator lay a better mat with less work, and is exclusive to the Vision Series.
There is also a "creep" function, in which the augers and conveyors turn at a slow speed allowing easier cleaning.
Asphalt pavers operate in extremely abrasive environments and things donít always go perfectly. Easy accessibility of the engine and the other ìgutsî of a paver has always been a hallmark of Vögele America pavers. How does the new Vision Series compare?
Hutchins: Full access has been retained. The clamshell hood opens all the way to allow interior access from the deck, and from each side. It opens up completely, so even if you had mix in the hopper, you can put the hopper wings down and access the cooler, the generator, and all pumps. All service locations are accessible just by opening the hood. Both side panels constitute one door, and they open up all the way to expose the whole side of the machine.
Harnesses are tidy and secure. There are fewer wires, too, with our Controller Area Network (CAN) bus system. Controllers do much of the work, and single wires go from the operatorís platform, instead of big bundles of wiring harnesses to trace.
The Vision Series is the only paver in which you can access the generator, the air cleaner system, the pumps and coolers, filters and dipsticks, from one location. These can be buried in competing machines.
Our conveyor and auger lube points are all located in the same, central spot, and we also have an optional, automated lubrication system.
How does the Vögele grade and slope control improve productivity?
McClellan: The optional Vögele Niveltronic PlusÆ grade and slope system is our technology, so the end user doesnít have to go to a third party for that essential control system. All sensors connected are recognized automatically by the system and can be controlled and monitored from the screed operatorís easy-to-read console.
The Niveltronic Plus system uses five averaging sonic sensors on each side. All hardware and software are built into the paver. Itís a Vögele design; other aftermarket electronic systems also may be used, but the Vision Series was designed with Niveltronics Plus in mind.
Three electric screeds will be available for these 10-ft. machines. The Carlson EZ-III 1017 and EZ-IV 1019 screeds with front-mounted extensions are available; the rear-mounted screed is our own design, the HR 500 E. Only electric screeds are offered; no more diesel screeds. Electric screeds are good for the crews, and good for the environment.
Vögele developed the electric screed 50 years ago. It has manufactured almost exclusively screeds with electric heat. So Vögeleís experience and technology with the electric screed dates back to the 1960s. That compares with just a decade for the electric-heated screed in the United States.
Is the Vision Series what contractors are looking for in a new tracked or wheeled asphalt paver?
Hutchins: We believe it is. Contractors are looking for pavers that are less ìfiddlyî and will let them make more money paving, with less dealing with the paver itself. Thatís why weíve included features like forward track plows, self-tensioning conveyors, and extensive self-diagnostics.
We've also made it a lot easier to add any option, or change screeds. Any manufacturerís option just bolts on, so if you donít get the option when you first acquire the paver, all the underlying wiring and hydraulic infrastructure is already there.
And with contractors there is an element of pride in how their equipment looks when they take it out on a job. Styling is now becoming a factor, if not a requirement, in a purchase decision. We saw this with the advanced styling of the Hamm 3000 Series, with its streamlined hood look, which won international design awards and was copied extensively. If we can make equipment look good while enhancing productivity, why not?
