A key design feature of Sumitomo pavers is the innovative J-Paver screed. This component is of special benefit for the wheeled models, further boosting their versatility for a wide range of challenging jobsites. Meanwhile, for the tracked versions, the added traction allows the screed system to deliver maximum capacity in any application.
These capabilities of the Sumitomo pavers helped a contractor to select the HA60C-11 model for a challenging project. This model of paver was chosen by Appalti Engineering for paving a runway extension at Abruzzo Airport. This demanding project has meant extending the airport’s runway by 389m and expanding the runway area by more than 20,000m², allowing more room for take-offs, landings and manoeuvring by aircraft. The extension will boost safety and allow the airport to be accessed by larger aircraft that require longer runways.
The construction site is being developed in several phases. The first phase involved preparing the sub-foundation, with the excavation of the surface soil according to project elevations. This was followed by soil stabilisation to form the base and deliver the necessary design strength.
At this point, Appalti Engineering stepped in to deliver the flexible pavement package for the airport runway. The package consists of 20cm of cement-bound granular material, 13cm of base course, 8cm for the binder course and finally, 5cm of wearing course as the top layer. This covers more than 20,000m2 for each layer.
The project timeline saw the completion of the initial phases by December 2025, with the final surface layer being laid in March 2026 when temperatures will be ideal. Appalti Engineering selected the Sumitomo HA60C-11 based on several substantial considerations. The machine’s technical characteristics were the starting point and the J-Paver screed was a particularly important factor.
The screed offers the ability to work continuously with paving widths from 2.3-6m without extensions and without having to remove side plates during transport, although for the airport job the machine worked with the screed at its maximum extension to maximise productivity.
Another fundamental technical feature is the mold-board in front of the screed extension. These components meter the flow of material toward the screed. The augers, with hydraulic height adjustment, ensure constant filling while the hydraulic adjustment cylinders provide a regular flow of material. This reduces the machine’s tractive effort and increases paving precision.
The strike-off, installed in front of the tamper, distributes and pre-compacts the material before it reaches the tamper. This simple but effective solution is said to provide a dual effect. Firstly, it helps to achieve high material compaction after laying, reducing the work required by rollers downstream. Secondly, this reduces tamper wear and lowers maintenance costs.
A key feature, which further complements other technical solutions on the Sumitomo HA60C-11, is the fully hydraulic adjustable plates. These help to deliver smoothness for the mat, avoiding thickness jumps between plates. Furthermore, the design allows the profile to be optimally adapted to project sections by forming positive or negative crowns in real time during paving, without using manual tools. The plates are made with Sumi Steel, a special grade from Sumitomo that has increased durability from 1,500-4,000 working hours, decreasing maintenance costs.
A final feature is the automatic temperature control of the screed and immediate control of tamper speed and vibration frequency which can be from either the driver’s seat or by the operators working near the screed.
Because Sumitomo has made the machine highly efficient due to the performance of the screed, the HA60C-11 is said to have other notable aspects. For example, the Yanmar 4TN107 engine powering the HA60C-11 is rated at just 110kW, which drops to 108kW in Eco-Mode. This is lower than the market average for pavers in its size class and is achieved as the extra power is not required. The integrated electronic management of the low hydraulic absorption screed, travel, and plate heating allows for lower power requirements and, consequently, lower fuel consumption.
In addition, the electronic management operates on three levels. In the event of an electronic board failure, it is still possible to proceed in manual mode to finish the job or move the machine for repair.
The novel hopper configuration has hydraulic front plates. This solution optimises feeding and allows for a loading height of 46cm from the ground. This makes it possible to work even with vehicles that do not have a movable rear underrun bar. The ease of filling and speed of laying are facilitated by the shape of the hoppers and the full reversibility of the augers and conveyor belts. This allows the operator to control the flow of the mix precisely and without waste.
The tracked undercarriage features rocker roller suspension to conform to obstacles such as manholes, holes or ground irregularities. This is essential in all situations requiring a multi-role machine capable of paving large surfaces with significant thicknesses, like at Pescara Airport, or in urban environments, ensuring high-quality paving. Sumitomo’s travel-control system not only ensures the set speed and direction but also allows settings to be memorised and activated when needed with a simple on/off switch.
The Sumitomo HA60C-11 is an advanced paver that is claimed to provide high paving capacity with low operating costs, due to innovative solutions.
Appalti Engineering chose the HA60C-11 for all these reasons, and more. Another important factor was the dealer support. OMS, the European importer of Sumitomo pavers, has built a high-level sales and service network. This machine was supplied by Edimac, a dealer based in Pescara, next to the airport.
Appalti Engineering is one of the leading road-construction companies in central Italy. With its two asphalt-mixing plants located in Elice (Pescara) and Chieti, it can handle major contracts by controlling the supply chain. This advantage allowed the company to meet the demanding Abruzzo Airport project.
(Article produced in association with Sumitomo)
