The Bomag cold planer clearing the way for a four-lane expansion of the B 85

As elsewhere in Germany, the redevelopment of a federal highway is currently underway on the B 85 section between Amberg and Pittersberg. The new BM 2200/75 cold planer from Bomag has certainly demonstrated its capabilities on a total removal of the old p

As elsewhere in Germany, the redevelopment of a federal highway is currently underway on the B 85 section between Amberg and Pittersberg. The new BM 2200/75 cold planer from Bomag has certainly demonstrated its capabilities on a total removal of the old pavement structure.

Extensive preparation since the end of 2016 ─ completion in the spring of 2018

In September 2016, the then Federal Minister of Transport Alexander Dobrindt gave the go ahead for the road project after classifying the 2.6 kilometre section as being in “urgent need” in the Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan. Roadworks began in mid-June 2017 after essential forestry work had been carried out, such as the removal of roots on both sides of the road. To ensure that the high flow of traffic on this important section of the route is guaranteed in future, long-term traffic planning for the industrial area and the A 6 includes a cloverleaf junction, a familiar sight on motorways.

Complete removal of the existing road pavement

The existing road, which will become the Schwandorf-Amberg carriageway, will be given a new pavement as early as spring 2018 according to the construction schedule. However, before this can happen, the old road structure has to be fully removed down to the subsoil.

Milling specialist and long-time Bomag user

Fiedler GmbH & Co KG from nearby Röhrnbach in the southern Bavarian Forest has wide expertise in removing concrete and asphalt pavments in layers or, as in the case of the B 85, full depth removal. Fiedler uses Bomag equipment including the BM 600/15 and BM 1300/35 cold planers and is extremely pleased with the performance of these models. As cold milling is an important initial step in the structural maintenance and upgrade of road and traffic areas, milling specialist Fiedler takes no risks with equipment or staff, using only proven machines and highly qualified machine operators. These Bomag cold planers remove asphalt or concrete surfaces rapidly to create a true-to-profile base for the construction of new layers.

16,000 tonnes a week

Due to the tight construction schedule, full removal had to be completed before the first frosts at the end of 2017 to allow the subsequent stage of construction to proceed on schedule. Using a risk-avoidance approach on this ten-million euro project Fiedler has chosen Bomag again, this time with the new BM 2200/75 model. Some of the factors Georg Fiedler, company owner, and Hans Kraft, Managing Director, appreciate about these Bomag planers are their power, reliability, and low operating costs; for example, the low fuel consumption and longer service life of components. “As a contractor close to the Czech Republic and Austrian borders, I have to pay close attention to competitive advantages, which BOMAG machines deliver every time for me” explains Georg Fiedler.

Roadworks are always a logistical challenge

Highway contractors depend on easy, straightforward transportation of their equipment from site to site. The design engineers at Bomag have come up with a novel solution for the largest cold planer in the range. The entire milling box with drum is equipped with a quick change system. Georg Fiedler and Hans Kraft were impressed by the efficiency of this system. The entire milling box can be removed and reinstalled in just 30 minutes. This record-breaking set-up and removal time is aided by quick-release hydraulic couplings instead of the usual bolted connections.
“Without a milling box and drum, the weight is below the key 60-tonne limit. The range of approval and transport problems that a heavy load creates are solved by choosing machines 'made by Bomag'. Even the hydraulically folding conveyor belt that comes as standard helps to reduce transportation issues,” Hans Kraft reports.

Fiedler management was highly impressed with the Bomag BM 2200/75 as it can be refitted easily and quickly for a whole range of applications on site or at the contractor’s yard. BOMAG offers a wide range of milling drums in its portfolio for different applications including: a standard milling drum, a fine milling drum, and a Powerdrum, each available in 2,000 and 2,200 mm widths for milling depths up to 330 mm.

Full removal in two stages

The complete removal for the extension of the B 85 is carried out in two stages, extending it to 22,000 m². Firstly, the surface course was removed with an average thickness of 4 cm; in the second milling step, the bearing course was removed with an average layer thickness of 26 cm. Although mixed materials and differing layer thicknesses were found in the course of milling work on the B 85, the BM 2200/75 readily handled these variable materials and thicknesses, in readiness for the new road.