It doesn’t matter what you call them — tow-type, tow-behind, box, or tow pavers — the asphalt machines all belong to a pretty small fraternity in comparison to other road-building machines. The number of larger manufacturers amounts to just about a handful. One rep we talked to says his company’s tow-type asphalt pavers are on the lowest end of the line as far as contractors are concerned. More work involved than with self-propelled units, he says. Ah, but highway agencies really like them.

According to John Layton at Layton Manufacturing Co., tow pavers can be used for most governmental and commercial paving applications, and, as a rule, have an advantage in applications that allow relatively straight pulls or where there’s room for the truck and paver to maneuver. Other benefits of tow pavers, compared to small self-propelled pavers, include: a low initial investment — as low as a third of the cost; a fraction of the maintenance costs; double the life; more production on jobs that have straight passes and room to maneuver; fewer systems to fail; ease in transporting and operation; fewer operators needed (two instead of three); and better screed pre-compaction, providing a high-quality mat.

Layton says that contractors and agencies should consider the following when choosing a tow-type paver:

1. The flexibility of the hopper and screed.

2. A quick and safe method for engaging the paver to the truck.

3. The ability of the screed to float.

4. The history and quality of the manufacturer.

5. The screed pre-compaction.

6. The reliability and ease of maintenance.

7. The types of jobs you need it for — tow pavers don’t work well in areas with overhead restrictions, and the tow-paver/truck combination is not as maneuverable as a small, self-propelled paver.

Costs range from $4,000 (buyer beware) on the low end to about $35,000 for a top-of-the-line machine. With proper operation, tow-type pavers are capable of production and quality similar to self-propelled models costing two to three times as much. Layton says his company’s customers regularly report laying 100 to 400 t. of material a day in the right applications.

The Pave-A-Lot from Tow Boy Co. is a trailer-mounted, automatic asphalt paver and grader available in a full size or mini. It paves like an expensive machine but sells for a fraction of the price. Paving jobs it can handle include roads, parking lots, bike trails, shoulders, patch work, and trench filling. The Pave-A-Lot spreads hot or cold asphalt as narrow as 12 in., grades or spreads rock, sand, or dirt, and will slice off high spots to level an area. When paving, it’s designed to be pulled behind any dump truck or tractor, and it can be towed at highway speeds by any vehicle with a 2-in. ball or pintle hookup. The unit converts from the highway trailer to a paver in five minutes or less.

Layton Manufacturing produces three different models of tow-type pavers that appeal to both contractors and governmental agencies.

The H-500B is a standard in the industry and is priced in the mid-range area ($15,000 to $20,000, depending on options). It’s the basic machine, with manual and electric over hydraulic controls, and no augers. The hopper is flexible with a 3-t. storage capacity. Screed extensions give the machine an 8- to 12-ft. spread width, with a depth of zero to 10 in. in four different settings.

The Model F-525 is very similar to the H-500B, but includes two propane-fueled Tecumseh engines to provide hydraulic power for augers and screed extensions. It ranges from $24,000 to $29,000.

Coming in at about $34,000, the Model D-550 Super Paver also has the basic features of the H-500B, but all functions on this paver are powered by two 11-hp Honda engines. The paving functions are fingertip controlled by joysticks mounted on each side of the unit.

The new Cedarapids MS-4 mat smoothness machine is designed for non-stop asphalt paving. Improved features include a large, 10-ft.-wide hopper and 18-in. higher discharge end to allow for 30% more capacity — and more capacity means non-stop paving between truck exchanges, leading to smoother roads. Shock-absorbing push rollers cushion the machine during truck exchanges, and the feed system includes blending augers to mix cool material with the hot before entering the paver.

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The Lee-Boy Pull-Type portable paver from B.R. Lee Industries, Inc. is ready to go to work the moment it’s hooked to your dump truck. Five different models are available for paving widths from 8 to 11 ft. They lay material 6-in. deep accurately, smoothly, and evenly. Joints are unnoticeable. The company says that precision engineering assures you reliability and versatility, and extra-strength steel guarantees durability. The portable paver requires only one operator and the truck driver.

The company also makes the L150 and L250 tack distributors that can be trailer or truck mounted. These liquid asphalt distributors are ideal for patching applications. Both the 150- and 250-gal. tanks are heated by propane, and a flush system for cleaning the pump, hose, and wand is standard equipment. Both models can either be purchased to fit onto a pickup truck or to be towed as a trailer.