Larger entities like DOTs and highway departments often own a road reclaimer, asphalt milling machine, or asphalt grinder. This allows them to do larger road construction projects in-house, saving on contractor fees. In fact, experts predict that the global road reclaimer market will grow 3.6% by 2032. The need to rehabilitate aging infrastructure, particularly roads, is driving much of this growth.
A large, self-propelled asphalt reclaimer can cut asphalt at widths of up to eight feet and depths of up to 20 inches in a single pass. This production is unparalleled for extensive full depth reclamation projects. However, the price tag of large road milling machines puts them out of reach for many organizations.
Road reclaimer machines of this size and production can also weigh over 25 tons and require special transportation. In addition to this, they lack maneuverability on the jobsite. This often makes them impractical for all but the largest jobs.
No one knows these statistics better than road repair industry professionals. The struggle to maintain roads and streets is both costly and time-consuming. Normal wear and tear and weather conditions like extreme heat and freezing and thawing in cold regions all contribute to road maintenance needs.
Many communities rely on temporary asphalt patches to repair pothoes, rutting and alligator cracking. If they have the budget, they also contract out larger asphalt maintenance projects. While large jobs are important, many road repairs are patch jobs involving pothole repair. Using correct methods for even pothole patching is critical for long-term road patch success.
Portable asphalt grinding machines create a middle ground and are a solution for both full road repairs and pot hole repairs. They also have the versatility to complete a number of other projects. Here are some of the benefits of portable asphalt grinding machines.
Easy to Transport and Maneuver
A more compact asphalt milling machine attachment can be pulled behind a standard work truck. They connect to a backhoe or loader and are also easier to load and unload. This eliminates the need for special transportation planning.
You can also park a portable asphalt milling machine at the job site when not in use. This gives you the flexibility to reclaim only the portion of road that you need to complete that day. In-house asphalt milling or full-depth reclamation can greatly reduce traffic delays as well by allowing cars to drive over the reclaimed asphalt.
Miles of Asphalt Repairs with Portable Road Reclaimers
A road reclaimer attachment has asphalt grinding widths of up to 6 feet and cutting depths of up to 12 inches in one pass. Speed is also a favorable factor. With portable road reclaimers, you can reclaim up to 2 miles per day of full roads. The full depth reclamation process can also produce a high-quality result, comparable to full road reconstruction.
Small Patch Jobs with Portable Road Reclaimers
The same machine that completes miles of full depth reclamation is also compact enough for small patch jobs. It can repair more than the surface layer of damaged asphalt on a small patch job by reclaiming the entire section of road.
The pulverized asphalt material, also known as recycled asphalt product (RAP), can be reused in-place to help stabilize the road base material. The resulting patch made with this recycled asphalt material can last much longer than a mill and fill patch. This is because instead of just repairing asphalt layers, you are repairing the road base as well.
Surface Milling and Cold Planing
Variable hydraulic depth control on road reclaimer attachments also allows them to function as a cold planer attachment. This is ideal for various milling projects including T-cuts and trench plate recessing. Instead of using a separate cold milling machine, you can use the versatile road reclaimer attachment you already own.
Utility Trenching
A portable road reclaimer is also ideal for utility trenching. It pulverizes the road surface into spec- comparable recycled asphalt that can be suitable for trench backfill. By using your road reclaimer as an asphalt miller, you can open 100 linear feet of asphalt in eight minutes on average.
Conclusion
While large reclaimers are a good option for major reconstruction, many road maintenance needs—from pothole patching to utility trenching—are better served by compact, more versatile equipment. Portable asphalt reclaimers are a smart, scalable solution that saves time, reduces costs, and delivers long-lasting results for repairs of all sizes.
🔍 Key Takeaways:
1.Smaller, Portable Road Reclaimers Solve Patching Problems and Full Road Repairs
Most patch jobs don’t require a large road reclaimer or asphalt milling machine. Compact asphalt grinding attachments are ideal for efficient, cost-effective road patching and repair.
2.Large Asphalt Reclaimers Are Not Practical for Small Repairs.
Full-size reclaimers are powerful but costly, heavy, and difficult to transport. This makes them inefficient for smaller pothole and alligator crack repairs or utility cuts.
3.Versatile Machines Handle More Than Full Depth Reclamation
Portable asphalt grinders can also perform cold planing, surface milling, and utility trenching, reducing the need for multiple machines.
4.Easiy to Transport with Standard Work Trucks
No special permits or heavy equipment transport needed. Portable reclaimers connect to a loader or backhoe for fast job site setup.
5.Complete Up to 2 Miles of Asphalt Repairs Daily
Compact road reclaimer attachments offer cutting widths of up to 6 feet and depths up to 12 inches, matching the output needed for most municipal jobs.
6.Recycle Asphalt In-Place for Longer-Lasting Patches
Reclaimed asphalt helps stabilize the base, creating a more durable repair than mill-and-fill, especially for rutting, alligator cracking and potholes.
7.Cost-Effective Solution for Cities, Counties & Utility Crews
Avoid expensive contractor fees and extend road maintenance budgets by performing patching and full-depth reclamation in-house.
8.Cold Climates and Poor Roads Require Scalable Tools
With 39% of U.S. roads in poor condition and a $211B rural road repair backlog, scalable, multi-use asphalt repair equipment is essential.