Pavement rehabilitation at a metal recycling yard

At a metal recycling yard in Brigachtal, Baden-Württemberg, heavy-duty equipment is the norm: The site is used daily by large machines and heavy trucks. To renew the heavily used asphalt surface, the contractor used the new Vögele paver SUPER 1803-5 X. On the confined site, the Dash 5 paver generation wheeled paver was able to demonstrate its strengths: Precision with maximum maneuverability.

Formerly a scrap operation, now one of the most well-known trading companies in the non-ferrous metal industry in the Black Forest: The Scholz Metall yard is heavily impacted by heavy truck traffic. That is why the company commissioned Karl Müller Tief- und Straßenbau from Niedereschach to rehabilitate the 700 m² area. A high-quality, two-layer asphalt pavement—a 2.4–3.15 in thick binder course and a 1.6 in thick surface course—was to be paved within one day. Marco Müller, third-generation Managing Director, decided on the new wheeled paver SUPER 1803-5 X from Vögele. With its high maneuverability and performance, the Universal Class paver is ideal for challenging, confined sites like a metal recycling yard.

First wheeled paver of the Dash 5 paver generation

The SUPER 1803-5 X is the first wheeled paver of the Dash 5 paver generation and was presented for the first time at Bauma 2025. It combines the advantages of a wheeled paver—high maneuverability and mobility during repositioning—with the advantages of the Dash 5 paver generation: more operator comfort, automated processes, shorter setup times, and low noise and exhaust emissions. “The paver is impressively quiet and economical,” says Marco Müller. “That is a big plus for our paving team and from a business perspective.” With paving widths from 2.55 m to 8.25 m, it is also particularly versatile.

Paving around manhole covers

The complexity of the metal recycling yard posed a challenge for the crew: The area has numerous corners, pinch points, and is dotted with ten manhole covers. “On this job, the wheeled paver’s maneuverability played a major role,” says Müller. Equipped with the steering brake Pivot Steer,, the turning radius of the SUPER 1803-5 X can be reduced by more than 2 m. This made it easy to work around the manhole covers. “The machine performed flawlessly—my expectations were even exceeded.”

Quick to deploy and easy to operate

Also helpful: the clear, easy-to-read operating concept of the Vögele pavers: “You felt right at home on the machine straight away, and the operators could get started directly without extensive training,” says Müller. Compared to the Dash 3 version, the ErgoPlus 5 operating concept offers a better overview, more comfort and storage options, more ergonomics, and an optional touchscreen display for digital applications. Vögele has redesigned the steering wheel, which improves visibility and makes operating the function keys easier.

New assistance and automatic functions simplify commissioning, certain paving functions, and minimize sources of error. This shortens setup times and increases quality as well as safety. At the metal recycling yard, the optional Light Package Plus was also used: When paving under roofs and in poorly lit areas, the permanently integrated lighting could be switched on as needed—with no installation required.

Tamper stroke adjustment at the touch of a button

Müller also sees a major advantage in the further developed extending screed: The AB 500 TV of the new generation enables hydraulic tamper stroke adjustment. With the so-called Dual Power Shift Tamper, operators can set the tamper stroke at the touch of a button. Compared to mechanical adjustment, this saves a lot of time and is especially practical when layer thicknesses change. “This is very helpful for us as a company with different jobsites,” says Müller. In combination with the tamper and vibration compacting systems, the screed achieved high precompaction and surface quality on the jobsite. Since the surface of the metal recycling yard must withstand sustained heavy loads, this was an important criterion.