Volvo ABG pavers: No.1 for performance & quality

Building on a heritage of more than 60 years of experience in creating powerful paving machines for demanding job sites, Volvo Construction Equipment has significantly revised its medium and heavy range of ABG branded, tracked pavers. The updated highway class models: ABG5820, ABG6820, ABG7820B and ABG8820B now confidently lead the field when it comes to performance, capacity, reliability and durability.

With revised paving rates and maximum working widths, the range can now pave from 2.5 m wide up to 13 m, at rates that vary from 600 tonnes per hour up to an impressive 1,100 tonnes per hour. Such high levels of throughput make the ABG range suitable for a wide range of applications, from municipal roads and highways to waste storage areas. They also excel in a range of paving materials, from wearing course down to binder course.

VB78/88 & VDT-V 78/88 & MB122 Variomatic screeds

It’s not just speed that counts when it comes to paving; quality is the primary driver. And whether equipped with single or double tamper screed, Volvo ABG pavers are class leaders when it comes to the quality of the finished pavements. The ABG screeds have tamping (single or double) to enable very high levels of compaction. Not only does this feature significantly reduce the need for subsequent roller compaction, it also results in a smoother and more even mat. The VB 78/88 and VDT-V 78/88 screeds can be hydraulically extended to double their basic width – offering flexibility where required paving widths vary.

The new models also feature more powerful engines, providing a wide band of reserve power for paving in difficult conditions or at maximum paving widths. Where maximum power is not required, a smart power paving mode is available, which lowers engine speed, reduces noise and improves fuel efficiency. Efficiency is also provided by the large hopper design, whose conveyor layout and large folding wings ensure consistent and uninterrupted material flow. An optional front hopper apron empties material in the front of the hopper into the conveyor system – all but eliminating overspill. Independent drives, for both bar conveyors and augers, ensure the paving material is taken evenly to both sides of the screed. The optimum head of material is maintained in the auger channel by adjusting the height, speed and direction of the augers.

Paving the smart way

The ABG range of pavers is known for its technical advances and the current model line up is no exception, featuring a host of customer-focussed features. These range from the Service Interval Manager, which alerts the operator that a required maintenance is due, to the Settings Manager. The Settings Manager allows operators to save settings in the system, to be recalled in the future when similar conditions are present, reducing set up times, improving productivity – and ensuring consistent mat quality.

Moveable road surface scrapers clear any debris out of the path of the wide contact area crawler tracks. The rubber pad clad crawler units are maintenance free and feature individual (electronically controlled) drives for each track. A system monitors track movement and controls motor response to ensure both straight line and fixed radius work is accurate. These, combined with good weight distribution, ensure an efficient paving process.

Action stations

Enjoying a large and ergonomically designed environment, operators benefit from a commanding all-round view that allows them to concentrate on the job in hand. A direct view into the hopper, the auger channel and the work area provide the conditions for achieving high quality paving. The sitting position can be adjusted, as can the control panel. Raised seats on both sides feature a slide function that allows the seat to extend beyond the outer edge of the paver. The central control panel, which can be swivelled, tilted and telescopically extended , features the latest Electronic Paver Management II system. Controlling all paving processes, EPM II guides the operator step-by-step through the individual working functions. Operators can call up menus for the engine data and paver functions, shown clearly on a large colour screen in multiple languages. For security, the EPM console, screed control panel and auxiliary control panel can be safely stored in a lockable compartment when not in use.

Last, but not least, the latest range of ABG pavers from Volvo are easy to maintain, with good access to all service points, accessed via large opening compartments. An optional central lubrication system simplifies maintenance still further.