Asphalt plate compactor sometimes called an asphalt crack machine, is heavy-duty industrial equipment that is used for breaking up asphalt, also known as crack coping. This equipment functions by forcing the asphalt under high pressure and compressing it, breaking the asphalt into small pieces. This equipment is primarily used to break asphalt pavement cracks, which are usually caused by vehicle accidents or heavy rains. The cracks often occur near roadways where vehicles travel at high speeds, and they are very tough to repair.
Asphalt cracks, which are typically seen in northern United States, Canada, and certain parts of the United Kingdom, develop when asphalt breaks into several smaller pieces when under pressure from water, heat, or dry ice. Water that seeps into asphalt breaks the molecules into smaller pieces, while heat causes the asphalt to expand, creating cracks. Dry ice is an extremely cold substance that causes asphalt to contract immediately. The use of an asphalt plate compactor is the most effective solution because it breaks the asphalt into very small pieces, much like a blender breaks down large pieces of solid food in order to make a smooth soup.
The basic principle behind the operation of an asphalt plate compactor is that it forces the asphalt to flow towards a metal holding area at the bottom of the machine. The metal holding area is usually referred to as an ‘erosion zone’. When the asphalt reaches the erosion zone, the metal piece sinks down, allowing the asphalt to flow freely. It is important to note that the metal holding area will expand and contract based on the height of the asphalt, as well as the speed at which it is being driven through the compactor. When using a compacting agent, such as asphalt, it is important to make sure the proper amount is being poured into the erosion zone before starting the actual process.
Another advantage of the asphalt plate compactor is that it is a much faster way to fill a hole than with hand-held tools or a shovel. It can be used to pour both light and heavy layers of asphalt at the same time, which allows for a larger variety of projects. Because the asphalt is being driven toward the grinding tool, it is pressed directly into the sheetrock, rather than having to push it through a chute. This results in less runoff and more consistent thickness. The only drawback of using an asphalt plate compactor is that it can be hard to manually turn the pressure to a higher setting, which may limit its use in certain areas or if the soil density is too high.
Plates are generally made of steel that is welded together to form a strong, yet pliable surface. The steel plates used in a plate compactor are typically wider than they are tall, which allows them to pack the asphalt more tightly and prevent air pockets from forming. However, if using an automated system is not practical, the use of human-operated or semi-automated tools is just as effective. Using either method, the depth of the asphalt will be dependent upon how much room is available on the surface being processed.
A plate grinder is also used in the construction process. When an asphalt plate is crushed, it is transferred to another area for processing. This transfer process is called slippage, and it can also be called scabbing. The process of transferring the asphalt directly from the press to another area in the project has a few advantages over other methods. First, if there is an issue with the slumping, it is easy to remove the asphalt and replace it with a new, lighter one. Also, because the asphalt is directly placed on the ground, any scuff marks can be easily observed, which eliminates the need to excavate further.