Versatility Results in Significant Cost Savings
LANGENTHAL, Switzerland – Construction business owners know that every jobsite is different. They also know they don’t have the luxury of purchasing new equipment to match the specific needs of every project.
That means the machines they own must be able to adjust to deliver the desired results on a broad range of applications. The better the adjustment, the more quality and productivity – and ultimately profitability – will result.
Manufacturers can help contractors overcome this challenge by offering versatile machines – machines that are capable of transferring productivity from one jobsite to the next despite the changing conditions.
Ammann equipment is built with versatility in mind, and proven examples are the ARW 65 Walk-Behind Roller and Ammann’s APF Forward-Moving and APR Reversible Vibratory Plate Compactors.
Two Amplitudes
The ARW 65 is perhaps the ultimate model of versatility. A simple flip of a switch on the handle can make this walk-behind roller a dramatically different machine.
The ARW 65 features two amplitudes: a high setting for soil and aggregates and a low setting for asphalt. Traditionally, fleet owners had to purchase two separate machines to access such varied amplitudes. The water sprinkling system – including spray bars on both drums, a large water tank and generous opening for easy filling – is built on the machine as a standard. No costly options are needed to switch to asphalt.
“You can’t get any more efficient than finding a single machine that does the work of two,” said Thiago Santos, Product and Application Training Manager at Ammann. “If that amplitude couldn’t be changed, businesses would have to purchase one machine for asphalt and another for soil.”
Toolless Mountable Paving Pad
Sometimes add-on options improve the machine’s versatility. That is the case with Ammann APF and APR Plate Compactors and a key option: a pad for work on paving blocks.
“Ammann offers paving pads that can be attached without a tool, which is better than competitive solutions,” said Thiago. “In a matter of seconds, the operator can put on the protective plate and get back to work. This allows the plate to be prepared for another application quickly and directly on site.”
The pad protects the paving stones from becoming chipped or otherwise damaged by the steel of the compactor’s base plate.
The pad can be quickly installed on the jobsite. Slings on the corners allow the pad to be pulled over the edges of the base plate. While simple to install, the pad maintains a firm grip and does not move during the compaction process.
The new toolless process provides significant time savings during both installation and removal. This is particularly important on jobsites that require plates to frequently switch between compaction of paver bricks and other materials.
Toolless Mountable Water Tank and Sprinkling System
Water is a requirement when working with vibratory plates on hot asphalt. Yet a tank that is a permanent component of the machine could be a hindrance when compacting soil and aggregates.
“The water tank option is another way to add versatility,” Thiago said. “The operator needs water when compacting asphalt to prevent the hot mixture from sticking to the plate. But these plates are often called on to handle other types of compaction, and in those cases the tank is unnecessary and can get in the way.”
The water tank on Ammann APF Plates can be attached and removed without a single tool. It simply snaps into place when compacting asphalt – and is removed with a solid grip and pull. The tank is large and the sprinkling system efficient to extend the intervals between filling.
“In the past, customers told us requiring tools for adding or removing these options compounded an already challenging task,” Thiago said. “It’s not just the additional time of installing or removing, but the frustration associated with locating the tool before starting the chore. So these tool-free options on Ammann plates were specifically designed to meet the needs of our customers.”