Roadtec RP-170e Asphalt Paver

Jan. 20, 2017

The new Roadtec RP-170e, the smallest model in the company’s asphalt-paver range, is a rubber-tire Highway Class asphalt paver with a standard 8-foot screed. The machine features a  wheelbase of 6 feet 4 inches and is designed, says Roadtec, to provide nimble maneuverability without sacrificing traction or pushing power. The hopper is 10 feet 5 inches wide and has a capacity of 11.5 tons. Equipped with the Carlson EZ-IV screed shown here, the RP-170e weighs in at 35,600 pounds and can pave from 8 to 19 feet wide.

According to Roadtec, the new paver’s two large drive tires are steered by two tandem bogie assemblies, and the offset bogie assemblies are designed to increase ground pressure gradually. Dry disc brakes on both wheels, hydraulic braking, and a parking brake provide precise control during operation, says the manufacturer.

Featuring a tight turning radius of 30 inches, the 174-horsepower RP-170e is sized to perform proficiently on congested sites, in space-restricted urban areas, and around obstacles, such as barriers and drains, says Roadtec. A narrow shipping width (10.5 feet) facilitates the machine’s transport between job locations.

The RP-170e incorporates Roadtec’s anti-segregation mix-deliver system, which uses large, 16-inch-diameter augers. The auger assembly can be hydraulically raised, lowered, or tilted—useful, says Roadtec, for assisting with mitigating segregation in certain mixes, when constructing with  HMA Superpave mixtures, and when loading and unloading. Standard sonic feed sensors control each side of the feed system.

Dual operator stations hydraulically swing out beyond the sides of the machine, allowing the operator a clear line of sight down the side of the machine, back to the screed, and down to the material tunnel, says Roadtec. The company’s new Comfort Drive operator system incorporates ergonomic controls and provides enhanced visibility from the machine. Fingertip controls with switch and button placement on the armrest are designed for operator comfort, as is the tilt steering wheel.

The RP-170e also features the company’s FXS fume-extraction system, which uses two fans to draw fumes from the asphalt mix away from the operator. Fumes and exhaust are directed through vents at the front of the engine hood. This large amount of air moving over the hopper is designed to keep the platform fume-free and cooler.

The cooling package is mounted on the side to receive clean, cool air, and the fan is controlled hydraulically, allowing it to operate at optimal speeds, depending on the load, to reduce sound levels.

The machine can accommodate a variety of screed options to match paving needs. Through partnership with Carlson screeds, Roadtec offers the EZ-IV and EZ-V front mount screeds. The machine also can be paired with the Roadtec-designed S-8 standard wedge-lock screed or the Eagle 8 rear-extendable screed. Every screed is vibratory and electrically heated.