Wirtgen's group-wide product showcase

The Wirtgen Group will have a remarkable 29 new products on display at Bauma, out of some 91 machines on display on its 10,560m² stand.

Additions to the range will include cold recyclers, soil stabilisers and slipform pavers from Wirtgen, the new generation of Dash-3 pavers from Vögele H, HD+ and HD Compact Line compactors from Hamm, and the new Mobicat Evo Jaw crusher from Kleemann.

New additions to the Wirtgen stabiliser line-up include the WR 200 and WR 250. The WR 200 is a smaller version of the WR 240 launched last year, and offers increased manoeuvrability over the larger version. The machine’s compact dimensions mean it can be transported without any special permits.

The WR 250, meanwhile, is described as is the most heavy-duty machine of the new WR generation. It is designed for stabilising heavy, swampy soils and for recycling and pulverization jobs, where it can turn roadways up to 250mm thick into homogenous granulate.

The company has also been nominated for a Bauma Innovation Award for its AutoPilot system, which allows automatic, stringline-free concrete paving.

The 3D control system comprises a computer that is integrated in the machine and an intuitive control panel. Two GPS receivers mounted on the machine communicate with a GPS reference station on the job site and a digital terrain model is not required, as surveying and programming is carried out on the spot.

The company says a key advantage of the system is its simplicity – it can be used by a machine operator, and does not require a qualified surveyor.

Wirtgen’s paver specialist, Joseph Vögele, will present eleven new products in the sector, including its new Dash-3 generation of machines.

These are designed to lower fuel consumption, emissions and costs with a range of new features and feature new Stage IIIB engines. One key feature is a splitter gearbox, which separates systems for paving from those used just for travel. This means systems such as augers, conveyors and compacting systems are disengaged when the paver is moving around the site, saving fuel.

There is also a variable speed tamper drive, which matches oil flow to the required compaction effort, and a variable speed fan, which automatically adjusts itself according to how much cooling the engine requires.

Pave Dock Assistant is a system to help communication between the paver operator and truck driver with a system of lights mounted on the paver canopy that give clear signals to the vehicle bringing in asphalt.

This works with a set of sprung rollers to absorb any impacts from feeder vehicles.

The Dash-3 models feature Vögele’s new ErgoPlus3 operating system, which features a new high-contrast colour display that relies on self-explanatory symbols.

The pavers also feature the new Auto Set function, which allows the paver to be configured for transport or paving with the push of a single button. This takes care of numerous individual tasks like repositioning the screed, augers, hydraulic hopper front, conveyors and the deflectors in front of the crawler tracks.

New screeds from Vögele include the AB 500 and AB 600, which feature an infinitely variable single-tube telescoping system for pave widths from 2m to 9.5m.

New rollers from Wirtgen’s compaction specialist Hamm will include new 7 and 8 tonne articulated tandem machines in the HD+ range. The new Stage IIIB-compliant 7 tonne, 1.50m wide HD+ 70i and 8 tonne, 1.68m drum width HD+ 80i are available as vibratory, oscillatory and combi rollers. All variants are factory fitted with the Hammtronic machine management system.

The tandem rollers provide an impressive amount of space for the operator, thanks to the use of the large cab from heavier members of the HD+ family. Performance has been enhanced with a 40% increase in the crab steering offset, compared to the HD 75, which allows for greater widths to be compacted per pass.

The company is also making three new additions to the H series of single drum compactors, in the shape of the H 11i, H 13i and H 16i from 11 to 16 tonnes. Like larger machines in the range, they feature a three-point swivel joint and steep slope angles, and are well-suited to off-road conditions. The cabs are large and comfortable, offering good all-round visibility and plenty of storage space.