What Equipment Is Being Used for Parking Lot Paving?

The parking lot is an essential component of any business. Whether you're running a large retail store or just providing the basics like food and gas to your local customers, it's good to make sure that you have enough space dedicated for parking.

According to Chapter 17.24 OFF-STREET PARKING AND LOADING, the minimum size of a typical parking space is 9'6" by 18'. Parking spaces within enclosed garages must have an interior length of at least 10'4" and width of at least 20'.

This means that if you're looking to pave a parking lot, you'll need to use some heavy asphalt paving equipment or call an expert. In this article, we'll look at what equipment is being used for parking lot paving process.

Milling Machines

Milling machines are used to remove the top layer of pavement and any old markings or surface debris. This leaves a clean surface for the new pavement to be applied.

Full-depth milling removes all surfaces below ground, including any that are damaged or too profoundly ingrained for traditional methods. This can be done on paved areas to level out roads and make repairs in tough spots where nothing else has worked before; however, it's most often used when bringing new asphalt up against old patches which will require drastic measures because there won't always just happen upon perfect terrain nearby.

The milling machine is a heavy-duty piece of equipment with a large rotating drum that cuts the existing pavement of asphalt surface to the required depth. Inside this device are cutters that rotate and divide what was once one solid mass into many pieces by removing material for new pavement layers below it to be added on top or removed entirely if the need arises.​

Sweeper

After the milling process is completed, a sweeper truck is used to clean up the area.

After the asphalt has been milled, the sweeper is used to remove large particles that could cause uneven compaction. The new paving would bond better with smoothness if there are no rocks left on it, so this step prevents anything from hitting traffic or damaging your car's windshield.

The sweeper truck has an extendable arm with a broom on its end. The component is hydraulically operated, and the broom can be adjusted to different heights. The truck also has a vacuum system that collects all debris from the ground.

Dump Trucks

Dump trucks are common on construction sites and parking lots, as they are often used for hauling asphalt. While there are many different types of dump trucks, the most common type used for paving are:
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• Gravel dump trucks
• Hot mix asphalt (HMA) dump trucks
• Stone chip dump trucks

Asphalt Pavers

When you need durable and efficient pavement, the asphalt paver comes to mind. The self-propelled machine has a floating screed for spreading hot mix into desired shapes or patterns before leveling it off with their own weight-- all without any help from humans.
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Asphalt pavers come in different sizes and can be used to pave everything from small parking lots to large interstate highways.

Compactors

Compactors are used to press and compact HMA pavement. They come in either paver screed, steel-wheeled, or pneumatic tire roller types.

A paver screed compactor is a machine attached to the asphalt paver. It has a screed bar that vibrates and helps to distribute the asphalt evenly.

The steel-wheeled roller compactor has two or more steel drums that rotate as the machine moves forward. This helps to press the asphalt and remove any air pockets.

The pneumatic tire roller compactor has four or more rubber-coated drums that rotate as the machine moves forward. This helps to press the asphalt and remove any air pockets.​

Material Transfer Vehicles

With an increasing number of trucks on the roads, it is important to have efficient methods for accepting asphalt mixtures. Live bottom trucks or simple end dump truck can take hours before they are ready with their loads, but MTVs offer advantages like increased surge volume (which means more traffic flow) and reduced truck wait time, saving money.

The best thing about these machines? They don't just help you accept freshly mixed materials from either type: asphalt-producing batch plants or hot mix asphalt terminals. They also allow for the transfer of unheated aggregate and heated asphalt cement.

Steel Wheel Rollers

Steel wheel rollers use steel drums to compact the underlying HMA. They can have one, two, or even three drums and usually range from 35-inch widths to 80+ inches.

These devices are either static (static) v/roads vibratory with a diameter of 20 - 60 inches in circumference, depending on weight requirements for your asphalt paving project. They're best used as a finishing roller after the paver and come in single or tandem arrangements.
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The drumming of steel wheel rollers helps increase their compactive effort by adding dynamic force and reducing friction. Vibration also allows aggregate particles to move into final positions that produce greater levels than without it!.

FAQs

​What is Asphalt pavement?

Asphalt pavement is a mixture of asphalt cement, aggregate (sand, gravel, or crushed stone), and water. The ingredients are mixed and heated until the asphalt cement liquefies. The liquid asphalt is then poured over the aggregate, and a roller is used to compact the mixture.
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Most asphalt is used for pavements because it has a higher resistance to wear and tear than other paving materials, such as concrete. It also has a lower cost and can be installed more quickly.

How many types of paver machines are out there?

There are three types of paver machines: the track asphalt paver, the wheel asphalt paver, and the screed. Each type has its own unique features. For example, the track asphalt paver is good for rough terrain, while the wheel asphalt paver is good for smooth surfaces. The screed is used to spread and level the asphalt.

How do asphalt paving machines work?

• ​​Asphalt paving machines work by spreading hot asphalt mix into desired shapes or patterns before leveling it off with their own weight-- all without any help from humans. Asphalt pavers come in different sizes and can be used to pave everything from small parking lots to large interstate highways.
• Compactors are used to press and compact HMA pavement. They come in different shapes and sizes, but all have one common goal: to distribute the asphalt evenly. There are three compactor machines: steel-wheeled rollers, pneumatic tire rollers, and vibratory compactors.
• Finally, material transfer vehicles help move freshly mixed materials from the plant to where they're needed. These vehicles come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate different material loads.

Conclusion

U.S. construction companies are using more and more asphalt paving machines to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Asphalt pavement is a cost-effective and efficient way to pave roadways and parking lots.
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These machines come in various shapes and sizes, each with its own unique set of features. Asphalt paving machines can be used to pave everything from small parking lots to large interstate highways.

Want to share your experience with parking lot paving? Do not hesitate to leave a comment below!

Author: David

David is the lead content editor at RVA Paving Pros, a service for Richmond VA residents. In his spare time, David likes to travel, read about business and visit the finest italian restaurants in town!