Abstract: A multi-use asphalt paving tractor with frame raise capability and a blind-mateable connector to facilitate quick connection with interchangeable attachments for performing the functions of a paver, a mix transfer conveyor and road widener.

Abstract: A multi-stage modular road building equipment system where a first stage base tractor is coupled to an intermediate stage, such as a spreading screw, and a third stage screed road paving tool attachment or other attachment such as a widener.

Abstract: An HMA plant which uses incidental heating of metal surfaces in combination with hot exhaust gases to pre-heat and pre-dry virgin aggregate material contained in an enclosed container which permits hot dry air to pass through interstices in the virgin aggregate material stored in the container.

Abstract: A tack emulsion pre-coating system for use in hot mix asphalt plant paving which comprises providing a triangular-shaped tack emulsion cart deployed ahead of a paver, and configured to operate under a conveyor from a transfer vehicle supplying the paver with HMA, where the cart comprises a forward spray bar which sprays tack emulsion on a surface located between the wheels of the paver so as not to leave tracks and with rear spray bars for spraying tack emulsion behind the wheels, but not behind a central area between the wheels of the paver.

Abstract: A warm mix asphalt plant comprising a counter-flow drum, apparatus for precisely metering flows of A/C and water, an asphalt expander with no moving internal parts where a circular curtain of flowing clean water is mixed with a coaxial circular curtain of moving heated A/C to create asphalt foam which is heated and mixed inside a lower portion of the asphalt expander and then distributed to cover aggregate inside the counter-flow drum.

Abstract: A multi-use asphalt paving tractor with frame raise capability and a blind-mateable connector to facilitate quick connection with interchangeable attachments for performing the functions of a paver, a mix transfer conveyor and road widener.

Abstract: An HMA plant which uses combination direct exhaust heated and indirectly steam heated pre-heating drum in combination with a sealed indirect hot oil heated rotary shaft mixer, where the steam given off from the heated HMA is maintained, separated from the sulfur containing exhaust of a hot oil heater, so as to minimize the production of acid in liquid form.

Abstract: A multi-use asphalt paving tractor with frame raise capability and a blind-mateable connector to facilitate quick connection with interchangeable attachments for performing the functions of a paver, a mix transfer conveyor and road widener.

Abstract: An HMA distribution system on the rear of a piece of road building equipment which does not have a center support or at least does not have a wide center drive chain region which causes a center striping problem, instead the two inboard augers are driven from motors on opposite ends of the distribution system. Additionally, optional outboard augers are used to move material further outward from drive motors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating hot mix asphalt (HMA), via collecting fumes from HMA while the HMA is on-board a vehicle and in motion within the vehicle, and igniting the HMA with engine exhaust and using the heat of combustion of the HMA to heat HMA, such as via the floor of a re-mix machine or paver which is capable of churning and mixing the HMA which increases emission of HMA fumes.

Abstract: A jaw crusher having a dynamically adjustable tramp iron relief system is disclosed. A moveable jaw and a stationary jaw define a crushing chamber, with a lower portion of the moveable jaw cooperating with a lower portion of the stationary jaw to define a closed side setting gap. A hydraulic tramp iron relief system operatively connects at least one of the jaws to the frame and is arranged to permit uncrushable material to pass through the crushing chamber by permitting the lower portion of the jaw to shift to a shifted position in which the gap is increased. The tramp iron relief system includes an adjustable hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic cylinder arranged to permit the gap to be adjusted during operation of the crusher.

Abstract: An asphalt plant includes a plurality of asphalt processing components including a first set of components producing volatile emissions and a second set of components requiring process heat. A separate central burner assembly is adapted to supply heat energy in the form of heated gas to satisfy the process heat requirements of the second set of components. A first duct system is provided which includes a fan and which is adapted to capture a portion of the volatile emissions produced by the first set of components and to convey the captured emissions into the central burner assembly for mitigation. A second duct system is provided and includes a fan and is adapted to convey heated gas from the central burner assembly to the second set of components.

Abstract: A jaw crusher having a dynamically adjustable tramp iron relief system is disclosed. A moveable jaw and a stationary jaw define a crushing chamber, with a lower portion of the moveable jaw cooperating with a lower portion of the stationary jaw to define a closed side setting gap. A hydraulic tramp iron relief system operatively connects at least one of the jaws to the frame and is arranged to permit uncrushable material to pass through the crushing chamber by permitting the lower portion of the jaw to shift to a shifted position in which the gap is increased. The tramp iron relief system includes an adjustable hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic cylinder arranged to permit the gap to be adjusted during operation of the crusher.

Abstract: An asphalt plant including a plurality of asphalt processing components, with a selected first set of the components producing volatile emissions and a selected second set requiring process heat energy. A central burner assembly is connected to the selected second set of components by an insulated duct system for providing heat energy to the second component set. A first duct system is adapted to capture a portion of the volatile emissions produced by the first component set and convey the captured emissions into the central burner for mitigation. The central burner is preferably a media burner incorporating flameless combustion technology as well as an adjustable internal fuel injection system, which results in safer and more controllable combustion. Even with captured fugitive emissions in the inlet air, the fuel injection system keeps the concentration of combustible materials well below the lower flammability limit.

Abstract: A moisture content measuring apparatus and method wherein a sensor station produces calibration data corresponding to measurements of light at two different wavelengths reflected from a material, and the calibration data is then transferred to a hand held computer. The moisture content of a sample of the material is measured and input to the hand held computer. The process is repeated after changing the wetness of the material, and the hand held computer creates a table correlating reflection data to moisture content. The table is transferred to the sensor station which then continuously generates signals representing moisture content in response to real time reflection data and the table. The cost effectiveness of the sensor stations readily facilitates the use of a dedicated sensor station at each of a plurality of conveyors carrying different materials to be combined into a composite of predetermined proportions by weight.

Abstract: An asphalt paver for applying a mat of asphalt material as the paver is moved along a path includes a frame, a compacting screed having rotatable vibrator shaft, and an edge compactor attached to the outer end of the compacting screed. The edge compactor includes a pivoting nose piece or tamping bar having an outer end generally overlying an edge portion of the asphalt mat, a rotatable shaft connected to the vibrator shaft, and a rod eccentrically mounted to the rotatable shaft and secured to the tamping bar outer end for pivoting the tamping bar in response to rotation of the rotatable shaft. The oscillating movement of the tamping bar over the outer edge of the asphalt mat compacts the edge of the asphalt mat as the paver is moved along the path.

Abstract: A gyratory crusher having a positive head hold-down mechanism. The crusher includes a frame structure; a first mounting arrangement including a pair of taper bearings for rotatably mounting an eccentric member to the frame structure about a vertically oriented first axis; a second mounting arrangement including a spherical bearing for spiderlessly and rotatably mounting a main shaft to the eccentric member about a substantially vertically oriented second axis angularly offset from the first axis; a crusher head mounted on said main shaft; drive means including a bevel gear secured to the eccentric member and a drive pinion arrangement for rotating said eccentric member about the first axis; a hold-down mechanism fixedly mounted to the crusher head for preventing vertical displacement of the crusher head relative to the a plurality of hydrostatic bearings operably supporting the crusher head; and seal means for protecting moving components of the crusher.

Abstract: A gyratory crusher with a tramp iron relief system having an annular manifold is disclosed. The gyratory crusher includes a frame, with the frame including a circumferential manifold ring having an internal hydraulic channel. A bonnet and a gyratory head are supported by the frame, with the gyratory head being spaced relative to the bonnet such that a crushing chamber is formed therebetween. The bonnet is adjustably mounted to the frame to permit relative vertical movement between the bonnet and the gyratory head. A hydraulic relief system is provided and includes at least one hydraulic cylinder operatively interconnecting the bonnet and the frame and being in flow communication with the hydraulic channel. The hydraulic relief system is arranged to allow uncrushable material to automatically pass through the crushing chamber.

Abstract: A gyratory crusher for crushing material having a frame mechanism including a lower frame portion; a crusher head having a bottom surface; a mounting mechanism for pivotally and gyrationally mounting the crusher head on the lower frame portion wherein the mounting mechanism includes a plurality of hydrostatic bearings configured to form a sliding engagement with the bottom surface of the crusher head to operatively support the crusher head; a drive train configured to operatively connect said mounting mechanism to an external power source; and a self-contained lubricating system for operatively lubricating the mounting mechanism and the drive train, wherein the self-contained lubricating system includes a flow divider configured to separately distribute lubricant to each hydrostatic bearing of the plurality of hydrostatic bearings wherein the flow divider is further configured to operatively provide lubricant to each sliding engagement of the plurality of hydrostatic bearings such that the crusher head is sli

Abstract: A gyratory crusher includes a control system, an upper frame portion having a bowl liner, and a crushing head having a mantel such that a crushing chamber having a gap is formed between the bowl liner and the mantel. The control system includes detecting means for detecting a pre-defined bowl float condition of the crusher, adjusting means for automatically adjusting a width of the gap to thereby eliminate the bowl float condition, and monitoring means for determining magnitude and direction of changes in the width of the gap by monitoring rotation of the bowl liner relative to the upper frame portion. The control means is adapted to automatically adjust the width of the gap to operatively compensate for a wearing rate of the bowl liner and the mantel and to terminate operation of the crusher should rate of bowl float conditions exceed a pre-determined quantity.