VT Leeboy

 A Short Race Video

LINCOLNTON, N.C. – At CONEXPO, VT LeeBoy, Inc. introduced its 9000 Asphalt Paver, a 33,000-pound paver featuring a maneuverable, rubber tire design and an 8-foot electrically-heated screed system.

This high production rubber tire asphalt paver is powered by a 173-HP CAT Tier 3 diesel engine, which provides the power to push larger tandem axle trucks with ease. The engine is transversely mounted, which allows for better ground level access and cooling efficiency. A fume ventilation system vents asphalt vapors away from the operator and screed area. Two Series 90 variable displacement pumps drive paver functions. An easily raised hood covers the low profile engine and side grating is easily removed to provide access to the engine compartment.

The LeeBoy 9000 operator stations are designed for maximum comfort and ease of operation. It includes dual hydraulic slide-out operator stations to enhance fore and aft visibility with fully equipped consoles that incorporate CAN Bus system design and digital gauges for monitoring paver functions and diagnostics. Paver steering is by Plus 1 control architecture with touch pads.

The 9000 rubber tired paver provides excellent maneuverability, ground speed, ride quality and traction. The tire system is comprised of two large heavy-duty low pressure rear 19” x 29.5” drive tires. The 12 x 22 inch solid rubber front tandem steering bogie wheels oscillate to improve mat quality by overriding roadbed irregularities.

The material handling system on a 9000 paver begins with an 11-ton receiving hopper with heavy-duty, hydraulic radius hopper wings and high strength plastic flashing to prevent material spillage. Dual 18” heavy-duty slat bar and roller chain conveyors feed the 16” diameter hardened cast steel augers that push asphalt to the screed. The auger assembly can be hydraulically raised and lowered, which is helpful in the loading and unloading process. Standard sonic feed sensors control the augers. The operator has independent left and right control of the conveyor system and material flow gates. Manual tunnel extensions are available to keep mix away from the drive tire.

The 9000 paver has a heavy-duty electrically heated and vibrating Legend Screed System that extends hydraulically from 8- to 15.5-feet. An onboard 20 Kw generator electrically heats the main screed and the front-mounted extensions. LeeBoy’s exclusive heat element replacement system makes replacing heating components easy. Adjustable screed extensions feature a 9 degree slope.

A two-speed motor with single reduction planetary torque hub allows the 9000 paver to travel at speeds up to 13 mph. The 9000 paver can pave at speeds up to 250 fpm.

Fluid capacities are among the largest for this size paver with an 82-gallon fuel tank, 86-gallon hydraulic oil capacity and 15-gallon citrus washdown tank.

VT LeeBoy 9000 At A Glance:
173-HP CAT diesel engine
33,000 pound gross weight with screed
8- to-15.5-foot paving width
Legend Electric Screed heating system with quick change heating elements
11-ton receiving hopper capacity
16-inch diameter cast feed augers
Dual operator stations with hydraulic slide-out operator stations
Plus 1 control architecture with touch pads
CAN Bus control design
High deck configuration
9 degree screed extension slope capability
Fume recovery system
Front wheel assist option

Ambrose needed a dependable paver for the driveways and lots that are his usual jobs. He decided to look at the LeeBoy 8000 D Track Conveyor Paver with McLean Co. in Columbus, Ohio. Ambrose gets excited talking about his 8000 D. “The material controls and gate shut off are great. It drives straight, and I like using the sonic auger controls. It’s not too loud. I like the propane burners. It starts well on a cold day. It stops where I want it to. We don’t have piles to shovel or sweep. It loads beautifully, drives straight and doesn’t pull.” But the most important feature to Ambrose is the material control. “It’s a big deal in commercial lots,” says Ambrose. Commercial lots have many turns and are too large to spend time cleaning up after bad stops and starts.”

Ambrose adds, “The LeeBoy [paver] cost more. But it was worth it. Buying it was the best decision I’ve ever made. I’m very impressed with this machine.”

Ronyak’s new 5000 Path Master makes quick work of golf cart paths. In fact, you can see a Ronyak crew working a golf course on the cover of a future issue of Asphalt Contractor magazine.

Ronyak gets good production with their LeeBoys. One crew put 46,000 tons though one paver in 2001. Briggs expects they’ll put more through in 2002. Briggs adds, “The biggest thing is putting down parking lots. We can push 700 tons at 1-1/4 inches per day on 70,000 to 80,000 square feet, because the LeeBoy’s can push the trucks easily. It’s then that you can get production. That’s the key—getting production”

Heiberger started using LeeBoys about seven years ago. He was tired of his old paver that broke down a lot and was not carrying grade. He says, “I was one of the first to buy a LeeBoy in the area because of the dealer support from McLean.” That’s the McLean Company (a recipient of the 2000 Bronze Dealer Award from LeeBoy) and Scott McLean in Columbus, Ohio.

Heiberger says his company owns larger pavers, but the crew prefers the LeeBoys. He calls them heavy duty, maneuverable, and quiet, making them easier to work around. Heiberger explains, “They reduce hard work. They extensively lay a good mat, clear across no matter if it’s eight feet or 13 feet. It’s just nice, consistent mat.”

In addition to the two 8500 Pavers, Heiberger Paving owns a 1000 C Paver and a 685 Motor Grader. Of the LeeBoy pavers Heiberger says, “Just keep making them. We’ll need another 8500 next year.”