The E. R. Snell Contractors of Snellville, Ga., is a full-service, fifth-generation contractor. It was founded by E. F. Snell in 1926. Today, in addition to covering the northern half of the state with both asphalt and concrete highway work, they build bridges, install underground drainage and construct large box culverts and concrete and precast retaining walls. They own and operate a total of 12 hot-mix asphalt producing plants in their area of coverage. The firm is currently under the guidance of President Robin Snell. According to Asphalt Equipment Manager Kevin Snell, the company has an asphalt equipment spread that encompasses several models of Blaw-Knox highway-class laydown machines for large paving projects and four more compact LeeBoy pavers for commercial and smaller industrial parking lots and subdivision work.
The bottom line for a roadbuilding contractor is, of course, giving the taxpayer full value for the dollar. E. R Snell does this by building long-lasting roads with the most modern and efficient machines and professional manpower possible. The Rosco Maximizer 3 tack truck with its dependable, high-capacity, well-heated tank has an important role as part of this equipment spread.
“We had a final 2-in.-thick course of hot-mix asphalt to put down on the roadways and parking areas at the Shoal Creek Filter Plant in Gwinnett County,” said Snell. “Before any of the approximately 2,300 tons of the Georgia DOT Type E surface mix could be put down, however, there was the small matter of spraying a layer of hot AC-30 tack coat.
“Tack trucks are a different breed of cat. The thick, heavy AC-30 is normally put down at a temperature of 375°F to 400°F. Using the optional Process Heating Company’s automatic heater element in the tank we helped eliminate the necessity of having a man come in early to start the tack heater.”
“This is also an advantage during the winter months when we can’t even begin paving until the ambient air temperature is 45° and rising. We are already several hours late in starting our day’s work by the time this happens,” commented Snell.
“That means that we must have all our equipment, especially the tack truck, up and ready to go without fail. No asphalt laydown procedure can begin until then. If the tack truck fails to start or heat the AC-30 or to pump and spray tack, then nothing else moves. With a dozen contracted dump trucks full and standing by should that happen I can tell you that no one is happy,” he added.
“There are several other obvious advantages to using the tack truck. The first of these is in its construction. It’s built like a tank, very rugged. The reliable, heavy-duty heater element is a safer, cleaner, more controllable and stable source of heat. A third factor lies in its built-for-service, heavy-duty pump. It is a big unit, exposed to where it can be repaired quickly if need be, not a small capacity pump buried down on the inside bottom of the distributor tank. Another feature is its efficient spray bar with few moving parts or knuckle joints to leak and wear out. The hoses are all steel braided for long and dependable life,” said Snell’s equipment manager.
