PRESERVATION UPDATE |
CURT BENNINK, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Milling Machine Technology Simplifies Operation Tight tolerances and increased production rates can be achieved while reducing crew demands
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ew milling machine technology allows you to achieve tighter tolerances, maintain high production rates and avoid placing new demands on the milling crew. “The newer generation of grade controls, cutter drum technology and new operating systems have made obtaining higher quality, while also gaining productivity, easier than in the past,” says Tom Chastain, milling product manager, Wirtgen America. The process of setting up the cut and monitoring the machine has also been simplified. “Onboard diagnostics, simple grade control setup and automated calibration procedures drastically reduce the responsibilities of the operator compared to older generations of equipment,” says Kyle Hammon, technical sales manager, Astec. The objective is to maintain quality milling patterns while maximizing production quantities and protecting the machine and crews. This is where the latest technology comes into play. Certain models of newer milling machines have operating systems that allow the operator to choose between milling modes. This allows the operator to control the pattern. “You can tell the machine what cutter drum line spacing you have and what pattern quality you want to achieve,” says Chastain. The settings even drill down to what cutting tools you are using. “The machine calculates this
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information and dictates the machine speed, cutter drum rpm and even water quantity. This allows the operator to maintain their line and convey material while the machine is doing the rest.” LOAD CONTROL MAXIMIZES PRODUCTION To optimize production and surface quality, milling machines must be able to detect the changing loads and react
accordingly. “Engine load control and traction control systems are in place to keep the machine running at a constant pace and prevent sudden changes in work speed that can result in flaws in the milled surface,” says Hammon. “Active load management systems, like Caterpillar’s load control, allow operators to push machines to their max capability without the risk of stalling out the machine,” says Jameson Smieja,
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