Get FinancingWhat To Look For In A Concrete Paver
There are many important considerations to keep in mind when shopping for concrete pavers, including how often you will use it, how large your paving jobs will be, and what capabilities and technologies you’ll need. In order to choose the right machine for your operation, you also need to think about what jobs you perform most often, find the type of paver best suited for the application, and then decide whether to buy new or used, or to potentially consider renting a paver rather than buying. Read on to learn what you should look for in a concrete paver.
Size & Application
There are several types of concrete pavers available. Some move on tracks, some on wheels. Some pavers are designed to be versatile and meet many needs, while others are purpose-built for specific applications. Slipform pavers, for example, are commonly used in road construction to lay standard 12-foot (3.7-meter)-wide lanes for highways, but many have adjustable width settings so they can lay everything from sidewalks to parking lots and more.
GOMACO sells the largest concrete paver, the GP-4000, which can pave at widths of between 12 feet and 50 feet (15 meters), making it a highly versatile machine for a wide range of bigger jobs. However, if you only lay smaller or narrower concrete surfaces, then you may want to opt for a more compact paver, such as a curb and gutter machine, which is designed to create curbs and gutters, but can also lay sidewalks, walls, and other less-expansive surfaces.
Other types of paving equipment include form-riding pavers that ride on a metal track much like a train, triple- and quad-tube roller pavers, canal and slope pavers, and many others. The key, again, is to determine which types of jobs you do most often and find a machine that can handle as many of them as possible to avoid buying more than one piece of equipment.
Common Features & New Technologies
One of the biggest challenges with paving roads in the past was having to guide the paver between stakes and string lines to ensure it was following the correct path, while at the same time focusing on getting the grade of the surface just right. Today, rather than judging accuracy by eyesight, many slipform pavers and other types have 2D sensors that automatically detect string lines on one or both sides and also check the grade in front and behind of the paver to create an even surface.
There are also 3D systems available that completely eliminate the need for string lines. They not only ensure that the depth and grade is correct, but they also detect width. Pavers with 3D sensor technology typically cost more, but they deliver improved accuracy and efficiency.
Another new technology for concrete pavers is remote controls. While many paving machines feature a seat or a work platform for an operator, some manufacturers are introducing models where the operator can remotely control the paver. This improves safety but also allows the operator to gauge grade, depth, and width from the ground for more accurate paving.
New Or Used
If paving is the lifeblood of your business, then you may want to invest in a new machine to take advantage of warranties and know that you’re the first and only owner. However, if you have a tighter budget, typically tackle smaller jobs, or only have occasional need of paving equipment, you may want to consider buying a used machine or renting one. The largest, most advanced concrete pavers can cost well over $700,000, so buying used can save you quite a bit of money. Renters typically charge by the day, week, or month, so if you know roughly how long a job will take, renting offers another opportunity to cut costs.
When buying a used paver, you’ll want to inspect it as you would any other piece of equipment. Check the engine, the controls, the tracks or wheels, the underbody, and the auger. Look for rust or any other signs of damage that could result in larger issues in the future and request a maintenance record, if possible. A concrete paver is a large investment, whether or new or used, so make sure the seller answers any and all questions you have about the machine.
Find The Right Concrete Paver
You will find a large selection of new and used concrete pavers for sale on PavingEquipment.com from such popular brands as CMI, GOMACO, and Terex Bid-Well.