Stability and variability are not mutually exclusive, as the front-mounted extending screed from Vögele proves. This screed has been specially developed for Vision pavers and is an ideal tool for commercial applications with multivariable width requirements, such as parking lots with multiple traffic islands and light poles, residential and city streets with storm sewers, gas and water mains, intersections on major highway, or county roads with multiple obstructions.
The variability also is evidenced in the range of possible profiles: crowns, transverse slopes and berms are set once and then built perfectly from the start to the end of the paving process.
High Precision Across the Full Paving Width
As with every extending screed from Vögele, the VF 500 also has a particularly robust guide system. Due to its sturdy design, it features excellent stability, even if the paving width varies continually, according to the manufacturer.
The L-shaped main frame is an important element in this context. On the one hand, its high rigidity prevents the screed from warping in a longitudinal or transverse direction. At the same time, it permits a controlled torsion of the screed as required for certain paving tasks. Stable guidance of the extensions is always guaranteed, despite this permitted torsion. As the guide system is mounted on the VF 500 at an outward position, the torsion of the main frame is never transferred to this guide system.
A valuable practice-related feature of the front-mounted screed is the ability to move the extensions in or out at different speeds as required. Pressing the button on the operator’s ErgoPlus console briefly permits particularly precise control, e.g. along an edge. The button must be pressed and held for more rapid extension or retraction. As a result, screed width control is performed with highest precision to obtain an absolutely straight pavement edge.
The powerful hydraulic system controls each extension separately, ensuring that ample power is always available to move them as required. The fact that the VF 500 can be extended absolutely symmetrically on both sides enhances variability on the job due to independence of the paving direction.
Unbeatable Profile Variability
A wide range of pavement profiles is possible with this front-mounted extending screed. The profile can be set independently of the extensions’ adjustment in height, ensuring the greatest degree of variability. Slopes of up to 10 percent are possible and there is no need to readjust the road profile at any time while paving.
The optional berm is available in widths of 12, 18 or 24 in. (30.5, 45.7 or 61 cm). Due to the smart design of the screeds, the berm also remains stable at all times.
The zero-position is maintained without a need to permanently apply pressure to the berm. The screed can be fitted for various different berm widths on the right-hand and left-hand sides. Contractors can choose freely when placing their orders.
Every extension has its own adjusting mechanisms for the independent setting of height, slope and angle of attack. The angle of attack of each screed extension is very easy to set even with bolt-on extensions fitted. Not only is the bullnose of the screed plate raised during the adjustment process, but the entire frame of the screed plate is pivoted around a defined point — a special feature of the VF 500 extending screed.
Innovative Screed Heating System
Over decades, Vögele has gained a wealth of experience in electric screed heating, which has been installed in all screeds since 1952. It is the combination of many years’ experience and continuous further development that resulted in the innovative heating system for our screeds, according to the manufacturer. Electric heating provides that the screed plates are heated to an ideal temperature for paving. While paving, the heat output is controlled automatically.
Easy Operation, Excellent View
Vögele’s VF 500 extending screed is extremely easy to operate due to ErgoPlus. Both the paver operator’s and the screed operators’ workstations are ergonomically designed. The height of the screed console can be adjusted. It also can be turned to select an ideal working position. All functions are logically arranged on the console. An additional remote control is provided. What’s more, the compact design of the screed ensures that the operator always has an optimum view of the material flow — including augers, bolt-on extensions and end gates.
For more information, visit www.voegele.info.
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