"We're not just milling off the surface, we're actually improving the road base and getting better structural characteristics."
– Richie Beyer P.E., County Engineer, Elmore County, AL
"We find it a great advantage to be able to reclaim our asphalt for use as road base on the same project and to also stockpile for other projects."
– Gary Fenstermaker, Former Public Works Director, City of Snowflake, AZ
– Dave Fanning, Public Works Director, Nye County, NV
"We use it mainly for road base failures. The way we would do it before by digging out would take 40 to 50 man hours. With the Asphalt Zipper, it takes 3 guys 45 minutes to do the same project, and with better results."
– Jake Sones, Road Manager, Lamar County, MS
An Easier, More Affordable Way to Improve or Make Road Base
Make your own road base by reclaiming existing asphalt and chip seal surfaces with an Asphalt Zipper® milling machine. Asphalt Zipper machines produce pulverized asphalt millings, also known as RAP (recycled or reclaimed asphalt pavement). These millings are comparable to most spec road base material. Best of all, because you're reusing existing materials, the road base cost is substantially less than bringing in new material. The asphalt millings can either be incorporated in-place to help improve existing base or stockpiled for use at other locations. Also see Full-Depth Reclamation.
Making road base can be as simple as pulverizing asphalt or chip seal surface and blending with a predetermined portion of the base.* Inject water through spraybar.
Grade and reshape. Hydrate as needed.
Compact with sufficient moisture.†
* Avoid rocks over 3 inches / 75 mm in size. When additional material or stabilizer is desired, see steps under Soil Stabilization.
† Be sure to know the effective compaction depth of your equipment and compact in lifts if necessary. Better results are achieved using heavier vibratory compactors.