In this module, you’re going to learn how to prep the paver and screed for the first pull. The seven lessons in this module will help you take the proper steps to ready the paver for successful startup.

At this point, each member of the crew knows his or her responsibilities and is wearing personal protective gear. The work zone is set up according to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control and any additional safety protocol your company uses. Lighting is ready if you think a day-time job will go long. During the morning toolbox talk, the foreman has made sure everyone understands where they are stationed for the job, and has gone over the hand signals with the dump man and haul truck drivers. The general laborers have worked with the foreman to line out the job and mark tonnages on the pavement. All equipment operators have performed the pre-shift walk-around for their machines, and brought any problems to the foreman’s attention. The general laborers have fueled up equipment and ensured water tanks are full. The screed and endgates are heating up and the paver is in the correct position according to how the job is lined out. Before you charge the hopper, there are a number of steps to get the paver ready for paving.

• Step one is to center your tow point cylinders.
• Step two is to set the paving width.
• Step three is to set the crown on the main screed.
• Step four is to set the height and slope of the extenders.
• Step five is to set the end gates.
• Step six is to set the auger height.
• Step seven is to set the feed sensors.

In the next few lessons, we’ll talk about each of those steps individually.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR MODULE 5:

Talk about these topics to make sure your whole crew is on the same page when it comes time to set up the paver.