As the saying goes, the proof is in the pudding: or in the case of the Cat® AP400, the proof is in the paver.
Melbourne-based Asphaltech specialises in the development and laying of asphalt products as well as road maintenance, civil construction and engineering.
With more than 25 years of industry experience, the business has become known for producing high quality asphalt and some of the most innovative products in the Australian market.
Using only the best, technologically advanced machinery, its team of highly skilled, passionate staff possesses a customer-first attitude and an ability to think outside the box to produce unique products that minimise environmental impact.
With a pedigree like that, Asphaltech was a perfect choice for Cat dealer William Adams to help demonstrate the features of the Cat AP400 asphalt paver, which continues to make waves in the asphalt-laying industry after its release in 2023.
Introduced as part of a new line of compact pavers from Cat, this model was designed to be versatile and efficient in both urban and rural paving applications, such as urban streets, parking lots and regional roads.
The smaller size wheel-type machine fills a niche need in small to intermediate-type projects, and has already been picked up by contractors who have found it perfect for transporting to jobs, while having enough power for a range of tasks.
To highlight the usefulness of the AP400, William Adams organised a demonstration day at an Asphaltech site to show off the features of the paver, and to let operators have a feel of the machine and assess its features.
The test drives highlighted many of the characteristics that make the paver so flexible: the compact dimensions, versatility on small jobs such as driveways through to busy highway construction, the ability to transport to site while sharing the float with small rollers and other required machines, and the finish of the laid hot mix.
William Adams Metro Melbourne sales manager Zayne Watson said the dealer was “pretty excited” with the live asphalt demo days and the chance to show off the new Cat AP400.
“This is the first time that William Adams has undertaken something like this, where we’re putting a brand new machine into live hot asphalt and allowing our customer to experience the machine, operate it and see what kind of mat it lays in the asphalt,” he said.
“The AP400 was purpose-built from the ground up to fit a specific niche in the marketplace between certain products that a lot of customers worldwide have been asking for.
“It provides the customer with versatility and flexibility to be able to do everything from smaller jobs up to even some national road work.
“The Cat AP400 is the only paver in this size class offering exceptional manoeuvrability, quietness, visibility and safety, while still delivering high productivity from the large 5.9 cubic metre hopper and 4.7m front mount screed with fast warm-up times.”
The size of the AP400 doesn’t just make it easier to move on the truck; it gives greater variety to the types of projects it can take on.
Smaller projects tend to have a wider variety of angles that are too tight for the larger machines. On the other hand, the small machines take much longer to complete.
“The AP400 hits the mark straight in the middle,” Zayne said. “It is the perfect size for small jobs, but can also take on larger jobs.
“Bigger contractors want a more versatile machine, while smaller contractors want to step up in size.”
Global Sales Consultant for pavers at Caterpillar, Jon Anderson, was also on hand to see the paver go through its paces.
“The crew really appreciated the features of the machine, the smoothness, the quietness, the control,” he said.
“It’s a really nice fit for asphalt laying because of the mobility and the manoeuvrability. As it’s smaller, there’s better ground clearance, so coming up to kerbs, you can get in tighter.
“And the screed is really a highway class screed, a nice heavy one for a machine this size which lays a really nice mat.”
Jon appreciated the value of events such as the demonstration day.
“I can talk a lot and customers will listen, but they really don’t believe unless they try it,” he said.
“And when you try it and you see how quiet it is on the job site, you begin to appreciate it more. You can see how that brings down the stress level of the crew because they can talk to each other instead of yelling.
“It just makes everything easier, convinces them of the tractive effort and the throughput, so you can’t beat a demonstration where they get to try it and see how nice it is to use.”
Territory Manager for Cat paving products in Australia and New Zealand, Dean Alley, was rapt with the demo day, thanking William Adams for the engagement and Asphaltech for providing the test site.
“Basically what we’ve been hearing from the team and the crew is that they really love the machine,” he said.
“They love how simple it is. They’ve been picking it up pretty quickly. All the controls are really intuitive.
“So essentially they’re able to start laying asphalt out relatively quickly, which they’ve been all impressed with.
“They’ve also been really impressed with the low noise level of the machine. It’s extremely quiet so the guys can talk to each other while laying a mat.
“The operators also love the really good visibility around the machine.”
One such satisfied operator was Asphaltech asphalt foreman Darren Clark, who gave the machine an enthusiastic thumbs up.
“I work for Asphaltech and gave the paver a go. It gave me two straight runs right away,” he said.
“It was beautiful. I loved it. Especially with the way it’s so easy to use with the automated digital screens.
“The controls are nice and easy to work and use. It’s a great paver.
“It didn’t take long for the operators out here to learn to work it.
“The trainers took us through it. It probably took about five minutes to get the basics.
“Once you know how to do it, it’s just straightforward, easy. No worries.”
Colleague Vasili Leota added his approval, saying he particularly appreciated being able to work with such a quiet machine.
“I don’t want to hear too much noise for a whole day, and the AP400 was really good,” he said.
And the screed impressed as well.
“The screed is nice and smooth. You can tell the difference straightaway between other pavers and the new one here,” Vasili said.
AP400 features
Size
- Tight 90 degree turning capability enables the paver to rotate and cover tracks on a return paving pass
- Standard paving range utilising the rear mount screed option SE47 V screed is 4m- 4.7m with a maximum width of 6.1m using extension boxes
- Standard paving range utilising the front mount option SE47 FM screed is 4 m-4.7m with a maximum width of 5.9m using extension boxes
- Standard paving range utilising the SE47 VT screed is 2.4m – 4.7m with a maximum width of 0m using extension boxes
Transport
- Machine weight of 13.6mt paver and screed combination, without canopy, enables easy transport on a variety of trailer types
- Length of less than 5m and width of 2.5m when equipped with SE47 FM screed with optional folding end gates, accommodates machine transport without special permits
- The front-loading angle of 20 degrees and high front bumper clearance reduces the need for additional blocking when loading onto various trailer designs
- Raising or retracting the canopy is fast and easy with both electric or manual options available
- Front, middle, and rear tie-down locations make securing the paver efficient for quick travel to the next job site
Mobility
- Wheel undercarriage provides exceptional mobility and fast travel speeds for unmatched maneuverability around the job site
- Excellent traction is delivered through the 00×20 sand-rib or 15.5 R25 radial drive tires
- Front-wheel assist option provides power to the rear set of bogie wheels for excellent performance in tough conditions
- High, front ground clearance of 203 mm (8″) helps avoid storm drains, curbs, and other obstacles
Material flow
- The front SE47FM or rear mount SE47V screed options deliver a variable frequency screed plate vibration, ensuring excellent material flow and tight mat There is also a tamper bar option available upon request.
- Low truck entry height and short front apron enhances material flow while simplifying clean-out
- Feeder system design with 355mm diameter augers provides consistent material flow across the screed for efficient flow at both narrow and wide paving widths
- Narrow auger chamber keeps material moving and helps eliminate stagnate patches
- Independent control of each material feed sensor, simply turn off the sensor for manual proportional feed control
Comfort
- Optional ventilation system draws fumes from the auger chamber and redirects them away from the operator for a more comfortable working environment
- Single sliding console enables operation from either side of the machine
- Dual independent seats swing out 40 degrees beyond the platform for good visibility to curbs and obstacles
- Optimised height and integrated exhaust provide unobstructed visibility around the machine
- Optional screed and paver mounted umbrellas offer protection from direct sun
- Heated seat option delivers comfort in cool weather conditions
- High visibility 76mm seat belt helps with crew safety compliance
Viewing displays
- High-definition, touchscreen displays with adjustable brightness control for all types of lighting conditions, including direct sunlight
- New touch screen operating display with simplified menu structures, intuitive graphics, and short-cut keys help simplify machine adjustments
- Single-touch functions from the main screen include screed heat, wash-down system, vibratory activation, ventilation system, and the accessory panel
- Cat® Grade Control or Basic Grade Control options available
- Operating displays can be tailored to specific language requirements with multiple options available
- Wash-down system includes level indication
Low operating costs
- The durable Cat C3.6 engine provides 90kW of power with variations that meet either U.S. EPA Tier 4 Final or EU Stage V emission standards.
- Single source supplier of Cat engines and machine parts helps maximise uptime
- Exclusive Eco-mode and Automatic Engine Speed Control reduce fuel consumption and lowers sound levels for better job site communication
- Conveyor bed plates and chain guards are designed to minimise labour requirements and lower replacement costs
- Maintenance-free high torque motors for the auger and conveyor drive systems reduce service requirements