Spreading stone

UK firm 2355 Cartem is offering a new chippings spreader developed for use in highway construction and maintenance applications. This dedicated machine, the Spreadmaster, offers spreading widths of 300mm - 4.4m in standard configuration and has been designed and built at the company's facility in Leicester. The machine is highly sophisticated and easy to operate and general manager of the firm, Ken McKie, said, "It's all computer-controlled by a CANbus system." Power comes from a Tier 3 compliant 196 Cummins engine rated at 194kW and this drives through a closed-loop, hydrostatic transmission to all four wheels. Traction is said to be good and the machine can tow a 32tonne load up a 15% incline, further broadening its capabilities on-site. Low and high speed ranges are fitted to the drive system and the operator can use these to select from an infinitely variable range of 0 - 40km/h to suit the working application or travel requirement. McKie added, "The rollers are speed linked to the drive speed." Hoppers are fitted at the front and rear of the machine, with split-spreading hoppers of 1.2m capacity each at the front and a receiving hopper with a heaped capacity of 3m3 at the rear. However McKie said, "The hoppers are quick-detaching so you can fit larger ones if necessary." He added, "We can supply it with a 4.4m spread width or wider if necessary." Although the machine has been developed in the UK it can be used on road projects worldwide and the firm is now looking to market the unit in Europe as well as North America, with help from sister firms Parker and Phoenix.

In addition, Cartem is offering a new bitumen transporter system with capacities from 24,000 - 28,000litres. These self-bunded tanks can be hook-lift or chassis-mounted and are said to be versatile, durable and to meet all EC requirements for safety.