Frost, heat, traffic – even the best road eventually succumbs to deformation, cracks and potholes after years of use. Eventually, there's no avoiding (partially) replacing the asphalt surface courses.
To minimise the impact on mobility during renewal projects, especially on heavily frequented routes, powerful and highly efficient road construction equipment is essential. Cold planers are among the first machines to be deployed in road rejuvenation.
Numerous factors determine the actual productivity of these powerful machines. Above all:
A prime example of the successful implementation of these requirements is the renovation of the B 327 near Forsthaus Remstecken in October 2023. The reconstruction is aimed at maintaining the substance of this important federal highway over the long term and became necessary after the asphalt layers showed signs of damage, such as cracks, subsidence and deformation. The uppermost asphalt layers were renewed. Due to the relatively narrow road width, the work had to be carried out with full closures in some sections.
One of the machines deployed for the project was a BOMAG BM 1500/65 cold planer. The key data for this job are impressive:
in a single day, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., the asphalt binder and top layer of brittle asphalt were removed at a milling depth of 12 cm. The material quantities removed in such a short time are staggering: 420 t of asphalt and 250 t of gravel! In total, about 300 m3 of material was milled and removed from the site by 10 lorries. In the gloomy autumn weather, visibility conditions were particularly difficult at the beginning and end of the work.
Two features of the BOMAG planer in particular contributed to the success of this job:
Firstly: with a milling width of 1.5 m and a CECE weight of 27 t, the BM 1500/65 achieves outstanding productivity, especially when fully extended / complete removal is involved. The working width of 1,500 mm does not limit efficiency compared to larger machines.
For a road width of 2.75 m, the BM1500/65 allows for higher milling speeds than a machine with a 2 m milling unit with the same number of passes. The advantages of the compact machine are evident. The BM 1500/65 provides the performance of a machine in the 2 m class with a milling width of just 1,500 mm.
The comparatively low weight of the BM/65 series in relation to the machine's high performance also facilitates transport to and from the construction site. With a weight of 27 t and a length of only 11.75 m when the conveyor belt is folded in, the BM 1500/65 large planer is easy to load.
Secondly: the BM 1500/65 impresses with a clear operating concept that provides support in all situations. The well-thought-out design of the BOMAG cold planer furthermore provides excellent all-round visibility. The slim front section of the large planer allows the machine operator an unobstructed view of the cutting edge, the side plate, the track to be milled and the danger zone around the conveyor belt during operation. The flat rear design also provides a better overview and therefore greater safety when manoeuvring. The planer features a vibration-insulated operator position. It includes an additional cushioned standing surface for the driver. The result: fatigue-free and effective working.
The machine used on the B 327 was also equipped with the "Advanced Night Package", extending the standard lighting of 37,700 lumens by 142,750 lumens. It literally turns night into day.
The BM 1500/65's sleek design and especially its turning circle of just 1.7 m make it particularly manoeuvrable. The 130° swivel angle combined with the smallest milling radius in the 650 hp class make it easier to navigate and load the trucks – even in small roundabouts and tight bends.
On the B 327 Forsthaus Remstecken construction site, the BM 1500/65 was therefore able to demonstrate its full potential. However, this cleverly designed cold planer is suitable for numerous other applications.
What kind of machine is this? With its BM 1500/65 large planer, BOMAG has set new standards in the 650 hp class. It utilises its enormous working capacity of up to 22 m per minute particularly efficiently. The perfect combination of machine dimensions, milling performance, manoeuvrability and ease of operation make it a particularly economical solution for renovation and development projects.
Here are a few additional features that vividly illustrate the qualities of the BM 1500/65:
All of these advantages and performance features came together on the B 327. Optimum working width, power, manoeuvrability, flexibility, safety and comfort complement each other for a perfect work result. A successful day on the way to a fast, economical and high-quality renovation of a federal highway, now available again for its intended use for years to come.
