Full-depth reclamation (FDR) is a pavement rehabilitation technique. With FDR, you use an asphalt milling machine or asphalt reclaimer to recycle and reuse failing asphalt. The asphalt milling machine mills the used asphalt into smaller material which road repair crews can use as new road base.
Full depth reclamation is a green and inexpensive method for rehabilitating pavement full of alligator cracks and potholes. It is also highly successful in creating durable long-term repairs.
Small asphalt milling machines or milling attachments make full depth reclamation accessible and affordable for any size city or town. Acquiring an asphalt milling machine can be quite an investment for many municipalities.
What if you want to bring your full-depth reclamation (FDR) projects in house? Are you thinking about investing in this type of road repair equipment? How do you know if it is the right purchase for you?
Top Ten Reasons to Purchase an Asphalt Milling Machine
1. Cost Savings
An asphalt milling machine is an investment, and it will lead to significant long-term cost savings. Full-depth reclamation is a process that reclaims and recycles existing asphalt materials. This eliminates the need to purchase additional road base filler. You are reusing your asphalt so you don’t need to pay for the removal and disposal of the old asphalt.
2. Increased Efficiency:
A milling machine mills your failing asphalt quickly and efficiently. This allows you to do more projects with the same budget and the same road crew. You will also be amazed at how far your budget will stretch with just the investment of a milling machine.
3. Flexible Applications:
Asphalt milling machines are highly versatile and can handle a range of applications beyond full-depth reclamation. In other words, you can use an asphalt milling machine for more than one type of project. This includes pothole repair, utility trenching, and FDR or full-depth reclamation.
4. Different Milling Depths:
With an asphalt milling machine, you have control over the milling depth. Different projects will require different milling depths. An asphalt milling machine can adjust to whatever depth you need. This flexibility allows you to meet project specifications and ensures precise removal of the pavement layers.
5. Environmentally Friendly:
Many cities and towns are looking for environmentally friendly or green road repair practices. Using an asphalt milling machine for full-depth reclamation is more environmentally sustainable. It recycles the existing asphalt as road base. This minimizes the fuel use and the emissions involved in cutting up, loading, and hauling the old asphalt to the landfill.
6. Enhanced Road Strength:
Full-depth reclamation creates a stable base for new road construction. When you use an asphalt milling machine for FDR, you blend the milled asphalt with a stabilizing agent or water before compacting and paving it. This creates a strong and durable road base that will last for years to come. By fixing your street right the first time you keep future road repairs to a minimum.
7. Improved Pavement Performance:
An asphalt milling machine allows you to correct the potholes, ruts and cracks that come with failing pavement. When you remove old layers of asphalt and stabilize your road base, you will improve the overall performance of the pavement. This translates into smoother and safer roads and happier drivers.
8. Reduced Disruption to Traffic:
Asphalt milling machines remove pavement layers quickly and efficiently. Because of this you will have less traffic flow disruption. Minimizing disruption is especially important for road projects in busy urban areas or high-traffic zones. This is critical for the vitality of local businesses and the safety of drivers and road crews.
9. Consistent Results:
With an asphalt milling machine, you are in charge. You control the results of your full-depth reclamation projects. You can determine precise milling depths and exactly which stabilizing agents you will use. This will give you a strong reclaimed road base and a paved road that will last for years to come.
10. Long-term ROI:
Buying an asphalt milling machine is a long-term investment that can provide a strong return on investment (ROI) over time. An asphalt milling machine offers many advantages. It can save you money on materials and time, increase efficiency, and take on a variety of projects. This opens up many road repair options on the same budget.
FDR with an Asphalt Milling Machine Has Many Benefits
An asphalt milling machine is a great investment. With a milling machine you will save money on materials and job time.
You can use an asphalt milling machine for a variety of applications and milling depths. This road repair equipment also is more environmentally sustainable when used for full depth reclamation. Now, you can re-use materials that you would have sent to the landfill. And most importantly, you will create a more stable road base and longer lasting repairs.