Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has launched its latest MB122 and VTD121 Electro Thermo Controlled fixed screeds, designed to enhance productivity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in large-scale paving projects. With advanced electrical heating technology, these screeds ensure a high-quality finish while reducing worksite downtime. They are now available for Volvo P6820D ABG, P7820D ABG, and P8820D ABG tracked pavers, supporting paving widths from 2.5m to 13m.
Fast and Even Heating for Maximum Efficiency
The newly introduced electrically heated screeds eliminate the need for traditional gas-heated screeds, which require constant refilling of gas bottles. Instead, they are powered by a 55kVA onboard generator, allowing for a fast, consistent, and evenly spread heating process. This innovative heating method ensures quick start-up in just 40 minutes, reducing waiting times. It features optimized heat distribution through one heated tamper bar and two heating elements per screed section and automatic temperature control, adjusting heat levels based on individual section sensors. By integrating thermo-controlled heating, these screeds significantly improve worksite productivity and enable a faster, smoother paving process.
Advanced Pre-Compaction for Longer-Lasting Pavements
Pre-compaction is a crucial factor in achieving higher density and durability in paved surfaces. The vibratory and tamping fixed screeds from Volvo CE are engineered to deliver maximum pre-compaction, reducing the need for extensive rolling. They feature variable vibration speed and tamper stroke for precise adjustments and are available in single or double tamper configurations for different paving needs. The double tamper technology provides an additional advantage, offering 5-7% higher compaction levels than single tamper screeds and achieving up to 98% Marshall density. This reduces the need for additional rolling passes, cutting down costs and improving efficiency.
Versatility and Adaptability for Various Paving Applications
The new fixed vibratory screeds are designed to handle a wide range of paving materials, including hot asphalt, dry lean Roller-Compacted Concrete (RCC), Cement-Bound Materials (CBM), railway ballast, and graded mineral mixes. With an adjustable crown setting of +4% to -2% and extension boxes that enable a paving width of up to 13m, these screeds provide flexibility to handle diverse paving conditions. Additionally, vario extensions with a 0.75m range on each side allow for quick adaptation to irregular edges. Optional manual or hydraulic end gates further improve material flow control on either side of the screed.
Minimized Downtime with Smart Diagnostic Features
To ensure maximum uptime, the new screeds come with an onboard diagnostic system, which monitors the condition of heating bars to detect failures, pinpoints exact locations for replacements, reducing maintenance delays. It also provides easy screed assembly and maintenance, with central lifting eyes for effortless lifting, integrated hose and cable routing for streamlined connections, accessible hydraulic and electric connections for quick servicing, and easily reachable tamper bars for simplified maintenance. These features ensure that the screeds remain operational for longer periods, reducing unplanned downtime and increasing worksite efficiency.
A Screed for Every Job
Volvo CE has developed these new screeds based on decades of experience and direct collaboration with customers. The electrically heated fixed screeds complement the existing range of Volvo Variomatic screeds, which offer extendable paving widths for enhanced versatility. For more details on Volvo CE’s full range of screeds, including the latest MB122 and VTD121 Electro Thermo Controlled fixed screeds, visit the official Screeds for ABG Pavers page. These electrically heated screeds represent a significant advancement in paving technology, offering faster start-up times, higher compaction levels, and reduced operational costs—making them an ideal solution for large-scale road construction projects.
