Automation for cold recyclers and soil stabilizers part of bauma 2022 launches for Wirtgen

The spread of automation in the construction industry is reaching roadbuilding, and Wirtgen showed off one approach for its cold recyclers and soil stabilizers at bauma 2022. The debut of the AutoTrac system for its WR series of machines was one of several updates for Wirtgen's roadbuilding equipment, which also included a new cab, updated cutting tools, and more.

Cold recyclers and stabilizers become more precise with AutoTrac

AutoTrac will provide the WR series of machines with more efficiency when it comes to reaching needed tolerances in road construction.

When soil stabilizers are used for resource-efficient preparation of road beds, sub-base that has insufficient load bearing capacity is improved to handle heavier loads by taking existing soil material and adding binding agents like cement or lime. Cold recycling work mills and resizes damaged layers of asphalt that are rebound with binding agents and water and finally repaved. In both cases, better precision is more efficient.

AutoTrac improves that proficiency by steering the machine with greater accuracy - within tolerances of a few centimetres based on a previously calculated reference strip and overlap of adjacent strips to ensure full use of the machine's working width. GNSS is used to guide the process and provide data for analysis as the work progresses.

The result is improved precision that avoids large overlaps, which reduces the waste of resources and time, and also cuts down on consumables such as fuel and binding agents. In addition, operators are less fatigued thanks to the added automation and can focus entirely on the mixing process and what is happening around the machine.

Optimized cutting tools

Also introduced for cold recyclers and soil stabilizers were new cutting tools, the Generation Z2 round-shank picks, which Wirtgen says provide longer service life, better reliability, and more efficiency.

Wirtgen has developed a new wear plate with a special grooved profile, which improves centering and optimizes rotation behaviour to ensure that the carbide tip is always ready to cut. The grooved profile reduces lengthwise wear of the round-shank pick holder and can extend service life by up to 25 percent.

Generation Z2 round-shank picks use Wirtgen's TwinStop clamping sleeve, which secures the pick in the pick holder bore. Optimized carbide composition with a higher proportion of cobalt guarantees additional resistance to high impact forces.

These improved cutting tools are intended to help develop more innovative cutting techniques while also adding high savings potential for users. They also reduce downtime for replacement, allowing for higher machine utilization and helping bring down operating costs.

Comfort cabin for compact milling machines

Wirtgen's compact milling machines, introduced earlier in 2022, now have a new feature that will be helpful for operators. A comfort cabin is now available on the W 100 Fi - W 130 Fi models that provides operators a more comfortable and lower-fatigue workplace while also reducing their exposure to noise. This adds a benefit for communication; the operator is able to make hands-free calls from inside the cabin, use a radio headset with ease or open the side window for communication with workers on the ground.

Filtered and temperature controlled, the cabin is designed to be positive pressure, preventing dust, dirt, and hazardous materials from entering into the operator workspace. The cabin also locks, ensuring that control panels and other features are protected from vandalism.