A Simex RWE 35 wheel saw trencher has been hard at work on highways in China since last year, a challenging work load.
Previously, the highways contractor relied on manual cutting methods using hand-pushed machines. These required constant water cooling to prevent blade overheating and the blades were frequently damaged. The result was high operational costs and very low productivity.
The contractor specialises in the construction of new roads in Xinjiang, a region in northwest China known for extreme seasonal temperature fluctuations. These variations cause the roadbed to expand and contract, leading to cracks in the asphalt. This compromises traffic safety and allows water infiltration which accelerates pavement deterioration.
The solution to address the issue has been the SIMEX RWE 35 wheel saw. It has been used to cut 5cm-wide grooves at 100m intervals along the roadbed. The grooves in effect act as expansion joints, allowing controlled movement of the road surface due to thermal variations. This prevents surface cracking and significantly improves pavement durability.
Mounted on an XCMG XE 80D 8-tonne excavator, the RWE 35 has been achieving a cutting speed of 2m per minute – more than five times faster than the previous manual method. Productivity improvements have been accompanied by a substantial reduction in costs for consumable parts.
The RWE 35 is equipped with the tilting self-leveling system. Thanks to the articulated support that rotates on the axis of the drum, the slides always rest stably on the ground, allowing for a constant trenching depth in any condition. The design of the outlets and the trench-clearing device with manual-mechanical insertion guarantee the correct expulsion of the milled material. The trench is left cleared at the set depth.
The RWE 35 wheel saw is an extremely versatile attachment, designed both for mounting on 8-13 tonnes excavators and skid steer and compact loaders. With the addition of a hydraulic side shift it is then designated the RW 350.
