Setting up to run Bomag’s Asphalt Manager becomes part of a typical testing and start-up process.

On the job, setting up to run Asphalt Manager becomes part of a fairly normal testing and start-up procedure. Based upon specifications, a test strip is laid down and compacted with the intelligent roller. An agency inspector or quality control representative may test this strip with a non-destructive device to establish density. Or, core samples may be taken and analyzed to verify a density number. Once a density number is established, it can be equated to an EVIB value that the roller achieves during compaction. From that point on, wherever the roller operator hits that EVIB value, he knows he has density. Running in automatic, Asphalt Manager rolls to density and documents it every step of the way.

Getting the right compaction on every job is one of the biggest benefits of this compaction technology.

“One of our operators has been rolling for 18 years,” says Dobey. “Sometimes it’s hard to get people to change the way they work. But after seeing what the machine can do with Asphalt Manager, this experienced operator will only run the roller in automatic.”

Asphalt Manager is available on several BOMAG rollers, including the BW190AD-4AM, a tandem roller designed specifically for the intelligent compaction application. Components that make Asphalt Manager possible are built into the machine during manufacturing. Rollers with the Asphalt Manager technology carry a 17% to 18% premium compared to standard models.

Other benefits

Both JoB and United Companies say they often can get to density with fewer passes using Asphalt Manager. But they also stress that while quicker helps control costs, getting the right compaction on every job without guesswork is the bigger benefit.

Some of the other benefits mentioned for Asphalt Manager include:

• Use of the roller as a proof machine to document density on base work.
• Excellent compacting of mixes like Superpave.
• Maneuverability and agility of the BW190AD-4 model.
• Less wear and tear on the machine because vectoring reduces the amount of energy reflected back into the machine as the mat reaches density.

The use of more sophisticated and expensive equipment technology really benefits the contractor when it doesn’t require major new learning procedures to use and when it can help extend on-the-job versatility.

Intelligent compaction, and specifically BOMAG’s Asphalt Manager, is getting more attention from contractors looking to apply technology as a way to control costs, get the work done right the first time, assure more precise delivery on demanding specifications, document their work, and earn bonus money when it’s out there for best performance.

The BOMAG BW190AD-4 AM tandem vibratory roller was designed for intelligent compaction and Bomag’s Asphalt Manager technology. The unit has 79-inch-wide drums, with a special front drum that delivers 35% more centrifugal force than units without Asphalt Manager. The front drum delivers 35,550 pounds at high frequency (3000 vibrations per minute) and 55,575 pounds at low frequency (2400 vpm). The rear drum produces 24,525 pounds of force in low amplitude/high frequency (3420 vpm) and 37,575 pounds in high amplitude/low frequency (2760 vpm). The roller features independent drum vibration control that allows it to handle a wide variety of lift thicknesses and mix types. The machine is powered by a 131- horsepower Deutz water-cooled diesel.