Gomaco introduces world’s first battery-powered curb machine

Gomaco CC-1200e battery-powered curb machine in action.

At World of Concrete 2022, Gomaco introduced the world’s first battery-powered slipform curb machine, the CC-1200e.

“We have been working towards an electric curb machine for almost two years now,” explained Kevin Klein, Gomaco’s Vice President of Engineering/Research and Development. “It has been an interesting and exciting challenge for our entire Design Engineering team, but especially demanding for the controls and software engineers. We take pride in leading the industry in new product innovations and adding another ‘world’s first’ to our resumé.”

The Gomaco CC-1200e electric curb machine is equipped with a power dense 48 VDC lithium-ion battery pack.

The result is a paver with zero-exhaust emissions, reduced vibrations, and zero engine noise. The lithium-ion batteries provide enough power for a full day of paving.

Charging options include the standard eight to 10-hour normal charge rate or an optional two-hour fast charge system.

It features the simple-to-operate Gomaco-exclusive G+ control system with a full function radio remote control that puts all machine operations in the hands of the operator. Travel control, manual three-point grade control, cross auger directional controls, vibrator control dial, warning lights and emergency stop are all located on the remote’s control panel.

Also, the CC-1200e is equipped with rotary-sensor slew drive steering on its front wheel assemblies, allowing for smoother paving and easier control. This allows for maximum turning capability. For example, it can slipform a 24 in (610 mm) radius, depending on the mold profile.

The compact curb machine has a 19 ft3 (0.54 m3) hopper capacity with up to 15 in (381 mm) of horizontal sliding capabilities for easy alignment with ready-mix trucks.

The hopper features a 12 in (305 mm) diameter by 5.5 ft (1.68 m) long auger to move the concrete at variable speeds up to 43 rpm.

Curb molds can be interchanged easily and can be positioned on either side of the CC-1200e for right-side or left-side paving.

Also, it is equipped with one variable speed electric vibrator that is coordinated with the stop switch to provide automatic on/off vibrator control synchronized with the forward travel of the paver.

The CC-1200e was built for mobility and navigating around job sites. It’s only 8.2 ft (2.5 m) long and 7.8 ft (2.38 m) wide.

Its rear track and two front-wheel assemblies allow up to 93 ft per minute (28.3 mpm) auxiliary travel speed to move from one pour to the next or loading/unloading on a new project.

Gomaco G3 paver in action.
Gomaco GP3 paver

New tech displayed on the GP3 paver

Gomaco’s engineers have advanced paver controls and automation and are introducing new intelligent valves on Gomaco’s line of equipment, including the GP3 paver.

The new self-programming valves eliminate the need to set thresholds. The valves, working with the paver’s G+® control system, understands and can automatically react and self-adjust to the dynamics of the machine. Initially the valve reacts to the machine set-up and adjusts accordingly, but the operator can make fine-tuned sensitivity adjustments from any display at any time.

Gomaco’s G+ software recognizes the change requests and immediately makes those adjustments. This allows automatic correction of the paver’s elevation, steering, pivoting, travel control, anti-slip positive traction of the tracks and more.

G+ controls now incorporate Gomaco’s new vibrator monitoring system with the ability to monitor, control and diagnose each individual vibrator on the paver.

The touchscreen display illustrates the performance of each vibrator. The operator can see where adjustments need to be made and can make those adjustments electronically for an instant and on-the-go response.

Gomaco’s Navigator display software brought all the G+ paver accessories together for easy control and monitoring on an optional touchscreen display.

Also, it is now fully Wi-Fi capable to allow wireless control from multiple display screens anywhere on the paver.

A wireless extension allows ground personnel the ability to view and make fine-tuned adjustments to the paver’s performance and configure settings for the GSI, side bar inserters, tie bar inserters, and power transition adjuster using any tablet or phone.

Additionally, machine-to-machine communication is now possible using the Gomaco Navigator display and G+ control.

When a Gomaco paving train is at work on a project, the GP3 paver now has the ability to talk to the other Gomaco equipment on the project with a G+ control system.

For example, if a Gomaco placer/spreader is at work in front of a GP3 paver, the paver and the concrete being placed in front of the paver is too low, it can tell the placer/spreader to raise its strike-off and allow more concrete to be placed.

According to Gomaco, machine-to-machine communication introduces a new era of automation, paver intelligence, and ultimate performance to Gomacoequipment.

The new technology is advancing throughout Gomaco’s entire line of concrete slipform paving equipment.

The new self-programming valves are also being integrated into Gomaco’s full line of curb and gutter machines.