7. Mix Placement

7.8 Best Practices Checklists

The following list includes important points to keep in mind for the paving foreman, superintendent, or inspector.

Never run the hopper empty between loads. (The level of material in the hopper should not be allowed to fall below the top of the tunnel opening.)
Establish and maintain a continuous paving speed. (Establish the speed by balancing the delivery of material with the compaction process.)
Control the head of material in the auger area to within ±1 inch (±25 mm).
Do not allow trucks to bump into the paver.
Do not spill material on the grade in front of the paver (when dumping directly into the paver hopper or cleaning truck tailgates).
Do not fold the hopper wings between loads. It is best to only fold the wings when cleaning out the hopper, either at the end of a shift or due to an extended work stoppage.
Practice good paver starting and stopping techniques.
Eliminate overcorrecting of the depth screws.
Make sure the end gates are adjusted properly and in contact with the existing pavement.
Use best practices for compaction of the in-place asphalt pavement and ensure that all roller marks are smoothed out (see Chapter 9).

Set the flow gates and/or slat conveyors to maintain a continuous auger speed.
Make sure the material feed sensors are operating properly.
Install tunnel extensions so they are within 12 to 18 inches of the endplate.
Lower the auger to a position approximately 2 to 4 inches above the screed plate.
Position, heat, and null out the screed properly on the starting blocks.
Charge the auger chamber with material, allowing the augers to turn until the auger chamber is filled to the height of the auger shaft, out to the end gate. They stop automatically. (Use a shovel if necessary to fill any void at the outside near the endplate.)
Begin paving, making head of material adjustments to match the paving width, depth, and paving speed while maintaining a consistent head of material at the augers.

Observe arriving haul units to verify proper loading procedures are being followed.
Minimize spillage in front of the paver.
Do not allow the level of material in the hopper to fall below the top of the tunnel opening.
Properly fold in the hopper wings only when necessary.
After paving stops:
- Move paver to a designated cleanout area.
- Fold hopper wings to facilitate cleaning hopper.
- Transport cold or segregated mixture from hopper wings back to the plant for recycling.

Maintain equipment in good condition and make all needed repairs in a timely manner.
Set augers at the proper height settings for the mix and lift thickness being placed.
Adjust bolt-on and hydraulic screed extensions in a uniform plane.
Check and adjust the lead and tail screed crown to ensure it meets the equipment manufacturer’s requirements.
Ensure tunnel and screed extensions are in place and within 12 to 18 inches of the end plate.
Establish and maintain a balanced paving speed and constant head of material.