Asphalt Hot Boxes vs. Asphalt Patch Trucks

by | Mar 21, 2022 | FalconNOW

a road repair crew repairs potholes with an asphalt hot boxAsphalt hot boxes and patch trucks allow road repair crews to make more effective pothole repairs. They both keep asphalt material at optimal temperatures and help eliminate costly waste.

However, that’s where the similarities stop. Read on to learn more about the differences between asphalt hot boxes vs. asphalt patch trucks and which one is right for your application.

How Hot Boxes Work

Hot Boxes come in various configurations, capacities, and options. 

  • The Dump Box has two hydraulic cylinders that raise the hopper and allow easy asphalt offloading. 
  • The Trailer offers a more economical solution, especially when built with only one burner. 
  • The Mini is a scaled-down version of the trailer and increases flexibility. It can go where larger asphalt repair equipment cannot, such as golf course paths, bike paths, and nature trails.

Onboard propane or diesel burners fire into the box and keep the material at an optimal temperature. This helps prevent the asphalt from cooling and can hold it overnight. 

Pros and Cons of Hot Boxes

There are several advantages to using a hot box. For starters, they can keep asphalt material warmer for longer when it’s cold outside. Compared to a traditional dump truck, hot boxes have a much lower shoveling height, reducing operator fatigue and increasing productivity. They also help solve some of the biggest problems in patching potholes.

Hot boxes also cost far less than patch trucks. However, there are a few minor downsides, such as requiring regular maintenance to ensure that they’re in optimal working condition. You’ll also need to keep them plugged in and tuned up. 

How Patch Trucks Work

A standard patch truck uses an auger delivery system that belt-feeds the asphalt to the operator. One of several types of burner systems is used to keep the material at the optimum temperature.

Depending on the manufacturer, a patch truck can come with several features, such as three to six-cylinder asphalt hoppers, heat transfer oil system, or dry radiant heat system. There are truck chassis or trailer-mounted options as well.

Pros and Cons of Patch Trucks

Patch trucks offer everything you need in one location, so there’s no need for multiple trailers. This provides an advantage for smaller crews while enabling them to get the job done without additional support. They’re also nice to have in tight city areas where pulling around a trailer could present logistical challenges.

However, there are several downsides to patch trucks. Many manufacturers build very complex systems that require ongoing maintenance and repairs. The auger belt delivery system is not ideal as it can easily break down.

Patch trucks also cost significantly more than hot boxes, which means it will take far longer to realize a return on your investment. If the patch truck goes down, your entire patching operation system goes down with it—and that can lead to significant losses until repairs are made.

Asphalt Hot Box or Asphalt Patch Truck?

There are many things you’ll need to consider when it comes to making an informed buying decision. While patch trucks offer an all-in-one package, you might be restricted by manpower and budget.

Hot boxes offer far greater flexibility, and you can add or retrofit them with a wide range of valuable options, such as an asphalt rejuvenating system, compaction equipment, and warning and safety lights.

Click below to learn more about equipment options.

Asphalt Recyclers & Hot Boxes

Asphalt patching is essential in maintaining roadways, parking lots, and other paved surfaces. Patch trucks are the de facto workhorse used by many municipalities and patching operations thanks to their efficiency and cost-effectiveness. 

The downside to traditional asphalt patching trucks is that they require a CDL license to operate. Hiring CDL workers is difficult because there are few out there, and if you do find one, you’ll need to pay them a higher salary.

Non-CDL asphalt patch trucks are the answer to this costly problem. Non-CDL patch trucks look and operate the same as traditional ones. However, they weigh less than 26,000 pounds, which is the cutoff for requiring a CDL license.

Read on to learn more about Falcon non-CDL asphalt patch trucks, their features, and the benefits they will add to your patching operation.

CDL Requirements

Part of the reason why CDL drivers are so expensive to hire and somewhat challenging to find is that it’s not easy to become one. The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) Safety Act of 1986 sets forth the requirements for obtaining a CDL license.

All applicants must first apply for and receive a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). This enables them to legally drive a commercial motor vehicle while being supervised by an instructor.

To apply for a CDL, applicants must:

  • Have a valid non-commercial driver’s license
  • Be at least 21 years old (if transporting hazardous materials or driving across state lines)
  • Have proof of citizenship and residency
  • Pass all background checks
  • Pass an intensive medical examination
  • Provide a statement that certifies they’re not subject to disqualification as per FMCSA 383.51
  • Pass a state-approved written test and road test

Competition to hire CDL drivers is relatively intense and often results in very high salary and benefits packages. Many municipalities and smaller patching operations often cannot afford to offer competitive salaries and benefits commensurate with what large corporations will pay.

How Non-CDL Asphalt Patching Trucks Work

The FMCSA requires all trucks that weigh 26,001 lbs or more to have a driver with a CDL license. Falcon non-CDL asphalt patch trucks weigh under 26,000 lbs—meaning anyone with a valid standard driver’s license can operate them.

How is that possible?

For starters, a Falcon non-CDL patch truck does not utilize an auger or conveyor belt like a traditional one. Instead, Falcon uses a gravity dump to deliver the material to the patch site.

Augers, conveyors, and the hydraulics used to run them are extremely heavy. The lack of those parts allows the Falcon patch truck to weigh less than 26,000 lbs.

Benefits of a Falcon Non-CDL Asphalt Patch Truck

In addition to not requiring a CDL license, Falcon non-CDL asphalt patch trucks have a user-friendly design that offers several other benefits, such as:

Faster material delivery

Traditional patch trucks that utilize an auger and conveyor belt are limited in the quantity of material and speed they can deliver it due to their significantly smaller unloading opening. This can substantially slow down worker productivity and cause each patch job to take longer.

Falcon non-CDL asphalt patch trucks have the largest delivery doors on the market. This means workers have the flexibility to determine how much material they want and at what speeds they will get it. Those same large doors also allow for easier access to the hopper for cleaning.

Lowered lifetime cost

Falcon non-CDL asphalt patch trucks are more cost-effective than their counterparts, thanks to the lack of hydraulics, augers, and conveyor belts. Fewer components mean fewer things that can break down in the future.

Another significant cost saver is that you won’t have to hire an expensive driver with a CDL license. If that driver should suddenly resign or call in sick, you’d be scrambling to find someone qualified to drive a CDL truck.

More fuel efficient

Because Falcon non-CDL asphalt patch trucks do not have hydraulic motors or pumps to turn an auger, they also burn less fuel. That adds up to significant cost savings over an 8-hour shift. 

Fewer trips to the asphalt plant

Workers also have the option to hold material overnight, which allows them to start working immediately the next day instead of waiting in line at the asphalt plant—which might be located on the other side of town—in rush hour traffic. 

Fewer moving parts

Due to not having an auger, hydraulic pump, or conveyor belt, Falcon non-CDL asphalt patch trucks have fewer parts than their traditional counterparts. This directly translates into increased uptime availability and lower maintenance and operating costs over the truck’s lifetime.

Sufficient capacity

Non-CDL asphalt patch trucks from Falcon have an 8,000 lb carrying capacity—which is more than enough material to be held at the optimum temperature.  

High-quality

One of the most significant benefits of the Falcon non-CDL asphalt patch truck is that it uses the same guts, hopper, and tack tank as their other highly popular and durable hotboxes, trailers, and recyclers. 

Your choice of truck

The Falcon non-CDL asphalt patch truck requires a class 6 truck. You can supply your own truck or choose from one of seven different models that we’ll provide:

  • Ford F750
  • Freightliner MD6 106
  • Hino 268A
  • International MV
  • Kenworth T270
  • Mack MD6
  • Peterbilt 536/7

The size, brand, options, etc. of the truck we supply will determine the final cost. If you have a different brand truck than listed above, call us and we’ll help you figure out if we can make it work. We’re more than happy to consider alternative truck options.

Non-CDL Asphalt Patch Truck Required Maintenance

Falcon non-CDL asphalt patch trucks require very little maintenance compared to their traditional counterparts. However, basic maintenance requirements are the same as other patchers, including burner and battery maintenance, keeping the hopper clean, and truck upkeep.

 

Falcon Non-CDL Asphalt Patching Trucks

Falcon non-CDL asphalt patching trucks will save you time, money, and headaches in the long run. They’ll increase productivity and efficiency while reducing the need for expensive maintenance and operators. Click below to learn more.

 

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