Caterpillar Inc. announced that it will be adding a new compact line of asphalt pavers and screeds to the Paving Products family. These standard 2.44m size-class paver and screed combinations weigh in at 14 to 16 metric tonnes and include the Cat AP400, AP455 Mobil-trac, AP455 Steel Track, AP500, AP555 Mobil-trac, and AP555 Steel Track asphalt pavers as well as the SE47 VT and SE50 VT tamper bar screeds. They come equipped with features that excel in both urban and rural applications and can fit the needs of both large and small contractors.
The SE47 VT standard paving range is 2.4 to 4.7m with a maximum width of 6m, while the SE50 VT standard paving range is 2.55 to 5.0m with a maximum width of 7.64m. Furthermore, paving depths up to 300mm support aggregate paving applications.
With a length of less than 5.6m and width of 2.55m, these 14-16-tonne size-class machines can be transported without special permits. The front-loading angle of 17º and high bumper clearance simplifies loading without the need for additional blocking materials.
Smooth material flow is a critical component that can help contractors achieve quality targets. These new models combine a low truck entry height with smaller, 355 mm diameter augers that efficiently move material through the auger chamber at both narrow and wide paving widths.
Cat pavers are equipped with an exclusive eco-mode feature that combines with automatic speed control to reduce fuel consumption. In most conditions, the engine can operate at a lower rpm and still deliver the required power to meet performance requirements.
The AP400 and AP455 pavers are equipped with a Cat C3.6 engine, while the AP500 and AP555 utilize the Cat C4.4 engine. The engines are available in configurations that meet U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final, EU Stage V, and UN ECE R96 Stage IIIA emission standards, equivalent to U.S. EPA Tier 3 and EU Stage IIIA.