How do road reclaimers handle different materials like asphalt, concrete, and mixed agregates?

[jackthompson]

I have operated road reclaimers on all surfaces such as asphalt, concrete, and mixed agregates. Every type has its own characteristics. Asphalt is easy to grind, concrete is a monster, while mix materials can easily spoil your blades. How do you cope with different types of materials? Are there any suggestions to ensure that everything runs seamlesly?

 

[Ernie]

Sounds like you've got a good handle on it! For asphalt, I just try to keep the blade sharp and stay on top of the cutter depth. Concrete’s a beast, so I adjust the settings to keep things smooth. With mixed materials, I check the blades regularly and swap them out before they get too beat up. Also, cleaning the machine between jobs helps a lot to avoid any buildup.

 

[Ted_0101]

Great tips!
I’d add keeping the speed steady, makes a big difference when tackling tougher materials like concrete or mixes.

 

[Daniel_Jordan]

Great advice from everyone!

Using carbide-tipped teeth is a game-changer for concrete, and monitor closely to mixed materials. Those can wreck your blades fast if you're not careful.

 

[Carlo.theroadrunner]

Good points all around! I’ve found that slowing down a bit on concrete helps reduce wear on the machine, and for mixed materials, adjusting water flow can keep dust and debris from messing up the cutters too quickly. Anyone else use specific brands of blades that hold up better?

 

[ConcreteKing]

Yeah, water flow makes a big difference, especially with mixed materials! I’ve had good luck with Kennametal and Wirtgen blades—they seem to hold up longer on tougher jobs. Anyone tried diamond-tipped teeth for heavy concrete work? Worth the investment?

 

[Daniel_Jordan]

Good call on blade selection. Carbide tips are a must for concrete. I’ve found that adjusting the rotor speed based on the material type can help too. Anyone using GPS or automation tech to fine-tune cuts and reduce wear?