The RD

May 04, 2024

The new RD-1200XT pavement drying unit from South Carolina-based Road Dryer, is capable of quickly drying asphalt and concrete pavement, and allows crews to pave or apply surface treatments or striping after just one pass.

The unit, which blows heated air up to 150 C directly downward through multiple nozzles, eliminates the risk of flying objects. This allows traffic to flow in nearby lanes reducing congestion caused by traffic restrictions.

The RD-1200XT is available as a trailer- or truck-mounted unit, and may be adjusted for 2.4 metre to 3.7 metre drying widths.

As the road dryer dries pavement on demand, it provides flexibility for contractors and government agencies to meet timetables by minimizing delays from weather and project-related wet conditions.

Drying pavement for construction or maintenance work typically involves the use of jet engine dryers, infrared heat or portable blowers, combined with brooms and manual squeegees.

However, each of these methods has its own limitations and safety concerns, including the use of jet fuel, noise, melting pavement, danger from thrown rocks or other objects and slow results.

Due to safety concerns, traffic is often restricted from travelling on roads or runways where drying work is taking place.

The Road Dryer eliminates these issues, as it safely dries the pavement.

The RD-1200XT preconditions the incoming air to remove moisture prior to heating and directing the heated air to the road, allowing faster drying time. The unit will not harm asphalt, as the flow of drying air does not exceed 150 C.

Weather is not the only cause of wet pavement. Milling processes also use water to cool grinder teeth, leaving the road surface wet and unsuitable for paving until dry.

The Road Dryer is able to follow behind a milling machine and immediately dry the pavement for resurfacing.

Pavement is typically ready for paving or surfacing within an hour, which allows for increased throughput by several road mills per shift.

For striping operations, hydro-blasting leaves the road surface wet, and it must be dried before new paint may be sprayed.

With a Road Dryer RD-1200 following the hydro-blaster to dry the surface, a paint sprayer may be run immediately behind the RD-1200XT Road Dryer unit to paint or repaint lines.

The ability to dry paving surfaces on demand provides unprecedented flexibility in meeting budgets and timetables by minimizing delays caused by wet conditions or processes.