“Wide-ranging specifications demand smart, flexible paver solutions”

Rugged engineering, smart automation and electrification – Joseph Vögele AG launched the SUPER 1803-5 X wheeled paver, the SUPER 800-5 P representing the Mini Class, the fully electric SUPER 1300-5e and the MT 3000-5 Standard and Offset material feeders at Bauma 2025. Marcio Cavalcanti Happle, Head of Sales, Local Marketing and Customer Support at Vögele on the vision behind the machines.

Vögele has expanded the “Dash 5” generation. What are the outstanding features of these machines?

To use just four terms: user-friendliness, process automation, economy, sustainability. These are the areas on which the “Dash 5” generation focuses. In practice, this means that our “Dash 5” pavers give road contractors maximum operating convenience, intelligent automation solutions, short set-up times and reduced noise and exhaust gas emissions. Numerous new functions increase paving quality, reduce the time required to commission the machine and fit parts, cut the costs of transport or rework and therefore increase productivity. We pursued the same objectives when developing the new machines: our SUPER 1803-5 X wheeled paver, the SUPER 800-5 P representing the Mini Class, the fully electric SUPER 1300-5e and the MT 3000-5 material feeder, demonstrate that we are implementing “Dash 5” technologies across all our product divisions and classes - and subjecting them to continuous development. “Our claim is clear: with our “Dash 5” generation, we are accompanying our customers into the future.

What does this mean in practice? What makes the SUPER 1803-5 X, for example, particularly fit for the future?

The new pavers combine clever, rugged and sustainable engineering with smart automation solutions. The SUPER 1803-5 X combines the benefits of a wheeled paver - great manœuvrability and mobility when repositioning - with the versatile potential applications of the Universal Class and the “Dash 5” technologies. These include, for example, the ErgoPlus 5 operating concept, new automated functions and digital control systems, improved material management, a sustainable drive concept, additional convenience features and a new, integrated lighting concept. As a result, the SUPER 1803-5 X improves every aspect of both paving process and productivity; it furthermore delivers all the requirements for digital road construction. This holistic approach equips the paver for all current and future requirements, whilst its modular design also lets contractors decide for themselves how, when and to what extent to use the options provided. We are convinced that the wide-ranging specifications of road construction demand smart, flexible paver solutions.

You talk about automation solutions. What innovations does the Vögele package include and what is the aim of these new functions?

In the sphere of Smart Automation we premièred the AutoTrac system for automatic steering and width control and the Smart Pave digital control system at Bauma. Both these solutions aim to make things easier for operators and to increase the quality, efficiency and operational safety of paving further still. We consider these technologies to be intelligent assistants to help operators by performing routine tasks on their behalf or by supporting them in situations where automated processes deliver more accurate results.

Using AutoTrac, for example, operators can control the pave width and direction of the paver automatically using physical references. Part of this automatic steering and width control system is the new Edge Detection edge tracker which uses kerbs, gutters or milled edges as a reference for screed width, ensuring an absolutely accurate edge line.

The next level of automation is then Smart Pave: the integrated system controls the pave width, position and direction of the paver fully automatically using virtual references. To achieve this, Smart Pave uses pave geometries stored in the digital platform, the John Deere Operations Center. The automated control system saves time-consuming marking work, reduces user workload and increases both the safety of screed operators and process reliability during paving. And really importantly: the system needs no assembly and is completely user-friendly.

Let’s move on from the large “Dash 5” technologies to the small ones: what are the benefits to contractors of the new SUPER 800-5 P Mini Class pavers?

The new Mini paver takes a leap forward in more ways than one. For a start, the material hopper now offers maximum flexibility: The hopper sides can be adjusted asymmetrically on both sides at the touch of a button - for paving along a wall, for example. They also hinge in two ways, giving the paver operator an unrestricted view to the front. The paver operator's platform has been optimised to give even relatively short paver operators a better view of all the areas relevant for paving. The SUPER 800-5 P is also now even more convenient and intuitive: the new ErgoBasic 5 operating concept follows the operating logic of the larger machines and for the first time, has a display where operators can view the paver’s operating data. Operation of the Auto Grade Basic system for automated grade and slope control has furthermore been fully integrated in the machine control unit, with the result that screed operators can now control the SUPER 800-5 P in compact form with just one console - like on large Vögele pavers. The new Mini Class paver is thus perfectly designed to meet the needs of users and the demands of small construction projects.

Aside from user-friendly machines, contractors are increasingly focusing on the environmental impact of projects. How is Vögele contributing to this?

Electrified construction machinery is an important component in local emission-free road construction, which is why we are always expanding our electric products segment. In addition to the MINI 500e and MINI 502e mini pavers, we launched the new SUPER 1300-5e compact paver at this year’s Bauma. This model is the first electric paver in the “Dash 5” generation. Like its little brother, it is fitted with a battery-electric drive and an electrically heated extending screed, making it locally emission-free and low in noise. Consequently this makes it the perfect choice for paving in city-centre settings or constricted spaces. In developing this product, it was important to us that customers did not have to compromise in terms of performance or ease of use: depending on the paving method, the lithium-ion battery delivers sufficient reserves of power for a full working day and is easy to charge via a wall-mounted charger or fast-charging pillar. So the new representatives of the “Dash 5” generation supply our customers with engineering which is sustainable, modular and future-proof - yet simultaneously easy to operate and use.