Asphalt Paving Equipment Guide

Lays asphalt mat at specified width and depth. The paver's screed determines mat smoothness and uniformity. Key specs: screed width range, track vs. wheel drive, extension capability. Rubber-track pavers navigate tight residential lots; wheel pavers are faster on open commercial work.

Primary compaction tool — runs initial and intermediate compaction passes on the hot mat. Critical for achieving density spec. Two-drum vibratory rollers are standard; tandem rollers provide faster coverage on larger lots.

Used for intermediate and finish compaction — the rubber tires knead the mix and seal the surface. Not always needed on smaller jobs but important for high-quality commercial work and mix types requiring pneumatic passes.

Compact handwork areas, patches, and edges inaccessible to rollers. Every paving crew needs at least one. Small, reversible plate compactors handle most situations; larger models for heavier patch work.

Lutes, rakes, and shovels for handwork behind the paver, edges, and patches. Stainless lutes recommended — asphalt doesn't stick as easily. Keep multiples; they wear and go missing on job sites.

Hauls asphalt from plant to paver. CDL required. Match truck payload to paver tonnage needs — a slow truck creates paver stoppages and transverse joints. Many contractors run 2 trucks to ensure continuous delivery on larger jobs.

Crew transport, equipment oversight, and job supervision. A heavy-duty 3/4-ton or 1-ton truck with towing capacity handles a wide range of trailer configurations.

Transports rollers, compactors, and smaller equipment to job sites. Match trailer weight rating to your heaviest equipment. Pintle hitch connection is more durable for heavy equipment than standard ball hitches.

Heated or unheated tank with agitator to keep product mixed. Spray bar for open areas; hose and wand for edges and detail work. Capacity determines how often you stop to refill — larger tanks are more efficient on big lots.

For hand-applying sealcoat at edges, around obstacles, and in tight areas. Squeegee-applied sealcoat generally achieves better coverage and surface texture than spray-only application.

Clean lot surface before sealing. Loose sand, dirt, and debris cause adhesion problems. A commercial backpack or wheeled blower is faster than consumer-grade equipment on large lots.

Heats rubberized crack sealant to working temperature. Hot-applied sealant is significantly more durable than cold-pour. Melters range from push-behind units to trailer-mounted kettles for high-volume crack sealing.

Cuts a reservoir along cracks to improve sealant adhesion and capacity. Routing produces better sealant longevity than direct application to an uncut crack. Essential for commercial-quality crack sealing.

Clean crack interior of debris and moisture before sealing. Compressed air blow-out and optional heat lance are standard preparation before hot-applied sealant.

Heats existing asphalt for infrared patching and leveling. Produces seamless repairs without cold joints. Highly effective for potholes, utility cuts, and birdbath repairs on otherwise sound pavement.

Mills existing asphalt surface for overlay preparation. Smaller walk-behind or skid-steer attachment mills for detail work; full-size cold planers for large mill-and-fill projects. Utilization typically doesn't justify ownership for most small contractors.

Paint or thermoplastic striping for parking stalls, fire lanes, and other markings. Airless sprayers are standard for parking lot striping; thermoplastic applicators for heavier-use markings.