Astec: From creator to pioneer

The SB-3000e is among the latest in Astec Industries’ shuttle buggy and material transfer vehicle range. How does the company continually innovate in a space it’s ruled for more than 40 years? Astec’s Garry van den Beld and Jorge Boil explain.

The asphalt sector has one big reason to thank Astec Industries.

The machinery manufacturer is widely heralded as the creator of the shuttle buggy, an essential modern requirement for successfully carrying out asphalt works.

You’d have to go back to 1987 to learn more about Astec’s (and the sector’s) first ever shuttle buggy.

Clearly a lot of things have changed since that time, but a consistent factor has been the pioneers at Astec continuously improving the shuttle buggy concept year after year.

Years of innovation, development and testing in the field has allowed Astec to maintain its foothold as one of the leaders in the material transfer vehicle (MTV) space. This reputation, along with the latest in technological features, is increasingly leading to the participation of Astec machinery in major infrastructure works.

In order to greater support Tier 1 and Tier 2 operators, Astec set out to go bigger and better with its shuttle buggy design. The result is an MTV that gives operators greater capacity and control. As Garry van den Beld, National Account Manager, Mobile Asphalt – Astec Industries explains.

“A big reason why we’re seeing such high interest in the SB-3000e is the greater capacity,” van den Beld says. “Companies are looking at their pipeline and seeing a need for larger machinery to tackle large infrastructure projects. That’s why this model is well suited for their current and future needs.”

The SB-3000e has a 25-tonne storage capacity, supported by a Cummins QSB 6.7 engine capable of delivering 310 horsepower at 2000 revs per minute.

“Having a tier four, stage five engine can give operators confidence going forward that they can satisfy engine regulations if there’s any changes in Australia in the near future,” van den Beld says. “That engine is the standard option for this model.”

The shuttle buggy design has come a long way throughout the past few decades.

When it comes to control, the SB-3000e supports four different steering modes that can be changed on the fly. These modes are crab, co-ordinated, rear only and front only.

The machine’s lower profile and low-profile tyres provide greater stability and easier transportation from site to site. While four-wheel steering aids trailer loading and unloading, a shipping height of 343 centimetres facilitates faster and cheaper transport.

The SB-3000e is also capable of manoeuvring through tight turns and intersections thanks to its compact design, with a turning radius of just 3.43 metres in co-ordinated mode.

Its efficiency in movement is matched only by the SB-3000e’s potential in material transfer.

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As van den Beld adds,“The SB-2000 is a great model; it has a capacity of 15 tonnes. That means that you’ve got to use more trucks to keep feeding it on site,” he says. “Whereas the SB-3000e is a lot bigger, so there’s no need to use as many trucks, which leads to less truck movement around the site and less impacts on the local community.

“It also means you can save big-time on costs, while also reducing your overall carbon footprint. That’s why, for larger projects, the SB-3000e is better suited.”

The lower profile design helps to increase visibility, and therefore safety, around the machine for both the operator and ground crews. Users can clearly see the front and the auger box during operation thanks to an unobstructed view of the work area.

Similarly, a low-profile design is a big plus for maintenance, with the SB-3000e giving crews the chance to conduct engine and select component inspections easily thanks to ground level access. Large rear doors provide access to the engine as well as hydraulic pumps. Easy-to-access panels also provide convenient storage where needed.

The spacious operator platform can be accessed easily and safely thanks to a dual function ladder, allowing the operator station to be accessed from either side. It also acts as a bridge across the machine, meaning crews can cross the roadway without having to move between different machines. There’s also an option for additional lighting to increase the safety of night works.

“The performance, reliability and support that we can provide is what separates us and the SB-3000e in the market,” van den Beld says. “That’s been reflected in the market’s interest. Feedback and demand have been excellent here and overseas.”

To ensure high quality mixing and blending, Astec has incorporated triple pitch augers for greater consistency, helping to reduce the chances of thermal and material segregation commonly caused by single pitch augers.

Jorge Boil, Business Line Manager, Infrastructure – Astec Industries attributes the on-going success of the SB-3000e to the company’s shuttle buggy “know-how”.

“We were the creators, so we’ve been there from the very beginning. We’ve been making these for such a long time, so we know what’s required to get the very best out of these machines,” he says.

This also aids the challenge of innovating year in and year out, with Astec embracing the pressure that comes with maintaining its reputation for quality and reliability.

“In many ways the principles remain the same,” Boil says. “We’ve worked to add a lot of benefits on the features side. It’s about incremental improvements that can make a big difference in the grand scheme of things.

“We know that the SB-3000e will serve us and the market well for years to come.”