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ARE THERE ANY INDICATORS THAT THE HOPPER TEMPERATURE IS TOO HOT?
1) If you can see the asphalt cement (from hot mix) dripping onto the shoveling apron from beneath the
material metering door, it is an indicator that the material temperature is too hot. The operator should
lower the temperature on the controller.
2) If blue smoke is emanating from the asphalt inside the hopper, oils essential to creating a permanent
pothole repair are being burned out of the material. The operator should lower the temperature on the
controller.
WHY SHOULDN'T I PUT ASPHALT INTO A HOT EMPTY HOPPER?
Be careful how hot the hopper is when adding asphalt material. When the burner(s) lights, it begins to heat
the steel inside the hopper. It is similar to heating a pan on a stove without any contents. If there is nothing
to heat inside the hopper, the steel heats to the temperature set on the controller. Once material is put into the
hopper, it will burn and sizzle just like food that is put into a hot pan on the stove. Instead, the hopper burner
can be turned on shortly before the asphalt is added to the hopper so that is warm -- NOT HOT -- when
asphalt is added. Again, use the lower end of the manufacturer's recommended temperature range when
setting the temperature on the controller.
WHEN SHOULD I USE THE TOP BURNER -- LABELED "RECYCLE"?
The top hopper burner with the label "RECYCLE" is used for two reasons...
1) If cold mix is covered with ice and snow, the top burner can be used to help melt the ice and warm
the cold mix (as long as the cold mix covers the inner ductwork). Once the ice is melted, the top burner
(labeled "RECYCLE") should be turned off.
2) The top burner is used when asphalt is being recycled. Best recycling results are achieved when both
burners are used, therefore a full hopper of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) is recommended. If a
small amount of RAP is being recycled (below the CRISSCROSS DUCTWORK), DO NOT USE THE
TOP BURNER. Once the recycled asphalt material has been thoroughly heated and ready for use, the top
burner should be turned off. The temperature of the material should be maintained using the main burner
only. If picking up hot mix at an asphalt plant, do not use the top burner.
CAN I ALLOW THE BURNERS TO RUN IF THERE IS NO FUEL?
No, The fuel tank holds 18 gallons of diesel fuel. Do not allow any burner to run when the tank is near
empty. Make sure the tank is full if you are going to keep material warm overnight or if you have set the 24-
hour timer and are planning to recycle asphalt overnight.
