What Does a Milling Machine Actually Do?

Asphalt Milling Rochester NY

In the past, we’ve used only our Skid Steer for all our milling projects, but this summer we’ve been excited to use our new Wirtgen asphalt milling machine. We’ve used it for main roads, large driveways, parking lots, and any project that required milling anywhere from a few inches to up to 4 feet. For smaller milling projects like patches and pavement trenches, we can use the Skid Steer, which can mill up to 6 inches deep and 2 feet wide.

So what’s the benefit of asphalt milling?

1. Recycle

First, every time we mill the pavement down, we use the leftover asphalt for new pavement. We outsource it to be ground up, mixed with aggregate and binder cement, and then delivered as fresh pavement ready to be used for a new paving project.

2. Rumble Strips

Municipal owners sometimes want rumble strips installed along highways for better driver safety – with the intention the rumble strips will wake late-night drivers from drowsing at the wheel. Our milling machine can install these quickly and efficiently.

3. Surface Smoothing

Milling removes uneven areas in the pavement by making the whole surface one even level. Our Wirtgen removes wheel ruts from traffic, dips from standing rainwater, and potholes from winter freezes. Once the existing pavement has a smooth surface, we can spread new pavement over the top and create a fresh surface.

4. Dowel Bar Retrofit

Dowel Bar Retrofit, another specialty item milling machines can accomplish, increases the integrity and longevity of pavement. The Wirtgen forms ridges in the pavement perpendicular to cracks. We then place steel bars within the ridges and seal them in place with non-shrink concrete. After that, the surface is diamond-ground to smooth any irregularities.

If you have a milling project you wanted to accomplish this season, don’t wait any longer. Call 315.589.8661 to book a free estimate! We’d be happy to chat and answer any questions.