BOMAG’s most compact asphalt paver is showcasing plenty of ‘big machine’ technology and toughness out on the street
Fulton Hogan’s Timaru paving team has recently taken delivery of the first BOMAG asphalt paver on its South Island fleet.
As Steven Murray, Fulton Hogan sealing department manager explains, the compact BOMAG BF 200C mini paver fulfils a particular role within the many urban construction and remediation projects Fulton Hogan undertakes in the region.
“The new BOMAG is a frontline machine for footpath renewals, such as is being undertaken here,” he says, referring to a long stretch of replacement footpath along Mountain View Road at the western edge of the city.
“It’s the only BOMAG we have on the fleet, and I’ve been impressed with it so far. It’s very manoeuvrable and quiet, too. It’s easy to control and lays a nice mat. There’s none of the twitchiness that you might get from an older machine – it’s certainly nice to be using the latest technology.”
Compact and versatile
The compact BOMAG BF 200C mini paver comes into its own wherever space is at a premium, yet from a technological point of view, it still offers everything a larger BOMAG paver does.
“There are some great technical improvements over the previous machine we were using here,” says Steven.
“The Magmalife screed and heating rod system, for example, means we’re far more efficient with material. Everything under the screed stays hot and no product gets dragged. This is really noticeable in the consistency of the finished pave.”
In developing the Magmalife screed heating system, BOMAG cast all the screed heating plates into one aluminium block. Because of aluminium’s superior thermal conductivity, the heat-up time is significantly shorter. After approximately 20 minutes, the BOMAG BF 200C will reach operating temperature, with even temperature distribution to the screed plates. The German manufacturer states this screed heat time is three times faster than conventional systems.
In addition to short heat-up times, BOMAG also says the Magmalife system works to protect and extend the service life of the BOMAG BF 200C’s heating elements.
The paver’s side plates are independently heated, reducing the risk of bitumen sticking to them when cold, as well as helping prevent unwanted marks in the asphalt surface. This also reduces maintenance costs, with the interval for replacing heating elements now extended from one to two years.
Paving operations
Right: Ground-level controls offer both left- and right-side operation
While it might be at the compact end of the seven-strong BOMAG paver model range, Johan Hanekom, Porter Equipment national business manager — quarry and roading, says the BOMAG BF 200C still delivers plenty of flexibility for urban paving crews.
“It’s a very versatile machine and perfectly suited for municipal paving operations such as footpaths, car parks, or laneways between buildings,” says Johan.
“It can be used in paving applications where a minimum paving width of 1.1 metres is required. From chain to chain, it can even achieve a smaller width than that, meaning a crew could pave and manoeuvre even in a 1.2-metre trench, for example.
“It’s compact in height as well, being less than two metres overall, so paving a pedestrian underpass or somewhere with height restrictions would be no problem.”
In terms of the Fulton Hogan machine’s maximum working capacity, Steven adds that his team is running an extension block set-up on the BOMAG BF 200C, which takes its pave area from the 1.1-metre minimum out to 3.5 metres.
“Our previous machine tapped out at 2.7 metres, so the BOMAG gives us a very usable amount of extra width.”
The mini paver’s operating platform, which is both height adjustable and offers dual left- and right-side operation, is another area of note which has impressed Steven and his team.
“At the end of the day, you need really good visibility around the machine. It’s the nature of the job that there are always going to be people around the paver, so an operating platform that gives you a clear line of sight of the hopper and screed, as well as anyone working nearby, is very important.
“Also, the vapour extraction system, which takes all the vapour away from the operator platform, is another good feature and makes the paver that much more comfortable to use,” he says.
Safety and comfort
BOMAG’s Ecomode engine and hydraulic management system also works to make the paving process safer and more comfortable for team members on the ground around the machine.
The system, which is standard in the BOMAG BF 200C, features a self-regulating variable displacement pump, meaning that only the level of power required for the task at hand is called up at any one moment.
Not only does this reduce diesel usage and wear and tear on the paver, but there are also various health and safety benefits for those around the machine as a result too: less noise, less vibration, and fewer CO₂ emissions.
“Even our smallest pavers offer plenty of excellent features,” concludes Johan. “BOMAG builds its pavers to the highest quality and that robustness is really visible from the big highway machines down to the mini pavers.
“The BOMAG BF 200C offers plenty of productivity and flexibility and will still fit on the back of almost any truck for easy transportation. It also retains leading paving technology that makes it very efficient.
“We’re excited to be able to showcase its abilities with a large, extremely busy entity such as Fulton Hogan, and be confident it will go the distance for them.”
Images by Cameron Officer and Luke Webley