Running repairs

A simple definition of cold planing reads: cold planing or asphalt milling is to remove the certain depth of an asphaltic road or pavement surface, in order to make a correction in longitudinal and lateral profile of the road. The other reason to remove those parts is to carry out patching of the areas that have been damaged. A significant benefit of the technique is that the milled material can usually be recycled and used on other projects as a compactable base or a recycled surface. A wide variety of equipment has been developed to carry this work out, from self propelled stand alone machines through to attachments that fit a variety of general construction equipment, such as skid steers.

One market leader in the sector is Wirtgen. This company added five new models to its range of small milling machines earlier this year–a portfolio that now comprises a total of nine machines. The W 60, W 100, W 100 F, W 120 F and W 130 F all made their debut at this year's Bauma exhibition.

The W 60 and W 100 are the rear loaders in the range and, claims Wirtgen, a new concept enables both to offer an extended range performance that results from their powerf 155 kW engines, larger diesel and water tan capacities for increased milling efficiency b prolonging milling times.

Replacing the W 600 DC, the W 60 offers maximum milling depth of 30 cm (12 mm) an standard milling width of 60 cm (24 in), 20 reater engine power than its predecessor an eighs in at 13,250 kg(29,150 lb). It is availab three wheeled or four wheeled configuratio

Its larger brother, the W 100, replace oth the W 1000 and W 1000 L. It also has aximum milling depth of 30 cm but provide milling width of 100 cm (40 in), an operatin weight of 14,250 kg (31,350 lb) and comes as standard as a four wheel machine with permanent all–wheel drive for uniform traction. Ideal applications for the machine are the economical rehabilitation of road pavements or the removal of entire pavement packages.

Claimed to be highly innovative by Wirtgen, the W 100 F, W 120 F and W 130 F are front loader configuration machines.

The W 100 F replaces the W 1000 F, and has a standard working width of between 100 and 130 cm (40 in and 51 in).

The W 120 F high–performance cold milling machine has a maximum milling depth of 32 cm (13 in), making it ideal for ideal removing complete asphalt courses to th The machine can be equipped with either wheels or crawle tracks. The Flexible Cutter System (available as an option) permits th use of different milling drums wit working widths of up to 120 cm (4 in) and a variety of line spacing It features a 209 kW engine a ghs in, 300, 460 lb).

The W 130 another high formance cold milling machine with a maximum milling depth of 32 cm and is ideal for removing mplete asphalt courses heir full depth. As is the case with the W 120 F, the machine can be equipped with wheels or trackle, and the Flexible Cutter system option on this machine permits the use of different milling drums with working widths of up to 130 cm (51 in)and a variety of line spacing. It features the same 209 kW engine as the W 120 but is slightly heavier at 19,700 kg (43,340).

Terex meanwhile has reentered the utility cold planer market with machines powered by Stage IIIA and Tier 3 engines in the shape of the Terex CMI PR165, PR220 and PR330 machines. All three of these new machines feature a hydrostatic rotor drive that includes a built–in relief system that protects drive components from damage in the event of the cutter hitting an obstruction. All three have a 91.4 cm (24 in) drum diameter, which provides a maximum 30.5 cm (12 in) cutting depth.

According to Terex, the PR165 and PR220 feature a high level of components commonality, and offer engine powers of 125 kW (165 hp) and 168 kW (225 hp) respectively. The PR165 has a cutting width of 61 cm (24 in) while the PR220 has a 72.1 cm (30 in miming width.

The larger PR330 is for those requiring more power, productivity and versatility. It is powered by a 245 kW (330 hp) engine and provides a cutting width of 122 cm (48 in) as standard, although rollers with widths of 61 and 91.4 cm (24 and 36 in) are available.

The company said the new models would help contractors to tackle a wide variety of utility milling applications.