FAE USA has combined its experience in engineering and development of its soil stabilizer and stump grinder attachment line and put that same technology into manufacturing its new multi-task heavy (MTH) series of attachments.
Although positioned in the market place as road stabilization units, the MTH series has the versatility for “multi-tasking” as a soil stabilizer, stone crusher, asphalt shredder and forestry tiller, according to the manufacturer.
The MTH series is a lineup of three models of PTO driven attachments for milling asphalt and concrete in place. Water sprayers can be added and binding agents such as cement, lime or new generation of polymers can be added, as well, for use as a traditional stabilizer.
The models all have a working depth of 12 to 20 in. (30.5 to 51 cm) and a working width of 82 in. (208 cm) for the MTH 200 GV model, 90 in. (228 cm) for the MTH 225 GV and 100 in. (254 cm) for the MTH 250 GV. All three models can be powered by a standard four-wheel drive agricultural tractor with a rating of 280 to 360 hp (208 to 268 kW) using the “creeper gear” or IVT style transmission.
The transmission of the MTH series is entirely mechanical to allow transfer of as much power from the tractor PTO directly to the rotor. Rotor revolutions have been reduced to 190 rpm to allow maximum torque to be transferred to the material being stabilized. The key feature of the MTH that allows for total versatility of the attachment is the use of a variable displacement chamber (VDC). This is simply a fixed structural frame with an independent internal frame (or chamber) that houses the rotor, which is hydraulically adjusted for desired digging depth through the use of two powerful cylinders. This makes the machine more efficient for digging depth and overall quality of grinding and mixing, according to the manufacturer.
The versatility of these attachments comes from changing the rotor configuration. Using the typical bullet teeth, milling can be accomplished just like a standard road profiler or scarifier. Using FAE’s “A” type teeth makes the attachment an efficient forestry tiller or stump grinder and for light asphalt removal. The “A” type teeth rotors for the MTH series will be available for sale at a later date.
With the new rotor design on the MTH incorporating more teeth, increases in efficiency for specifically grinding asphalt is obtained.
Although the MTH series has the ability to crush rock, that is not the primary design and function of these attachments as FAE already has a line of dedicated purpose designed rock crushers on the market.
FAE USA’s Giorgio Carera said, “we’ve always had the ability to process asphalt with our soil stabilizers. But that was always considered a secondary benefit to these attachments and not the recommended singular purpose. Now, it becomes the primary feature-benefit of the MTH attachment with the secondary being forestry tilling, mixing, and processing asphalt. We feel the multiple functions of the MTH puts us ahead of the competition.”
The MTH series of attachments are categorized as asphalt grinders, and positioned in the marketplace for the purpose of full-depth reclamation or “in-place milling” which simply requires compaction and becomes a quality sub base for asphalt overlay. FAE representatives said this is not intended for interstate work but is the ultimate way of reclamation and repaving of non-interstate county roads. After reclamation and “rolling” the base meets or exceeds the engineering spec for compaction the MTH can mill through the existing asphalt road base and all or part of the sub base below it for an even mix of recycled asphalt and original road surface sub base.
The overall MTH attachment design is based on the original technology of the FAE SSH line of soil stabilizers, but incorporates a different style drum and more teeth for a more homogeneous and even mix of “milled” material. Instead of a fixed rotor, it now moves independently from the outer frame.
For more information, call 877-FAEUSA-1 or visit www.faeusa.com.
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