Asphalt / Pavers Buyer Guide

• Used price range: $45,000 for older commercial/driveway units to over $450,000 for late-model highway-class pavers.
• Operating weight ranges from 15,000 lbs for compact commercial pavers to 48,000+ lbs for highway-class machines.
• Engine service life averages 8,000 to 10,000 hours, though screed wear plates and augers typically require rebuilding every 1,500 to 3,000 hours.
• Fuel burn averages 4 to 8 gallons per hour depending on engine horsepower and whether the screed uses electric or fuel-fired heating.
• Key options include electric vs. diesel screed heat, front-wheel assist (wheeled), continuous rubber tracks, and 2D/3D automated grade control systems.
• Primary applications include highway resurfacing, airport runway construction, municipal road repaving, and commercial parking lots.

• 1Screed bottom plate thickness: Measure remaining wear plate depth with a caliper or ultrasonic gauge across the entire width, checking for dishing or crowning.
• 2Auger flighting and bearing wear: Look for scalloping on outer flight edges, excessive radial play in center support bearings, and oil leaks from the auger drive gearbox.
• 3Conveyor floor plates and chains: Check conveyor slat chain tension, flight bar straightness, drive sprocket tooth profile, and wear through the hopper floor liner plates.
• 4Screed heating system: Test electric heating elements for even thermal output using an infrared camera, or inspect diesel burners and blowers for fuel leaks and exhaust blockages.
• 5Hydraulic drive performance: Check traction pumps, tamper bar drive motors, and screed vibration motors for hydraulic fluid seepage, overheating, and pressure drop under load.
• 6Undercarriage or tire condition: On track models, examine rubber track carcass condition, roller bearings, and tensioning cylinders; on wheeled units, inspect high-flotation rear drive tires for cuts and rim bead integrity.
• 7Crown, slope, and extender mechanics: Inspect hydraulic extender guide tubes and slide bushings for looseness, binding, or hydraulic cylinder seal leaks.
• 8Fume extraction system: Ensure the ventilation fan and ductwork operate efficiently to divert toxic asphalt vapors away from the operator platform.
• 9Hour meter and ECU verification: Compare recorded ECM engine run hours against the physical wear on feed conveyors and screed plates to detect unrecorded work hours.

Commonly-reported issues from operators and technicians. Every machine varies — always inspect before you buy.