Paving Machines

If you decide you want a career in the paving industry, you have to learn how to operate a paving machine. To do this you will have to learn how to operate a piece of machinery with levers and other controls that spread the asphalt to create a smooth surface. The operator has to turn valves that regulate both the temperature of the asphalt and the speed with which it pours onto the gravel base. One thing they have to be careful about is that they distribute the asphalt evenly so that they do not have any gaps marring the look of the driveway.

Along with having an operator for the spreader, there is also a need for a constant supply of asphalt going into the hopper. If one section of asphalt starts to set before another load is ready to pour into the hopper, there will be a mark showing where one section stops and another one starts.

Asphalt is not the only material that can be used for paving. Concrete pavers are also used when the material chosen for the driveway is concrete. Operators of this type of paving equipment have to learn how to operate levers and wheels. These controls spread, level and vibrate the wet concrete within the forms you have build for the boundaries of the driveway. However, they constantly need to keep their eyes on the concrete for gaps where the other workers can fill in the spots. There are other attachments that they have to use to smooth out the surface of the concrete, spray on a curing compound and cut the expansion joints.