PAVING

CONFIGURABLE OPERATOR CONTROLS FOR
DEMANDING PAVING APPLICATIONS

INDUSTRY: Paving

OEM Controls provides configurable controller solutions for gravity-feed pavers, specialty asphalt pavers, conveyor-type pavers, brooms, and other paving machinery.

Paving equipment brings machine movement, material handling, positioning, and other operating functions together in a demanding operator environment.

Paving Equipment Applications

Paving equipment may require operators to manage propulsion, steering, material flow, screed functions, positioning, and auxiliary commands from a relatively compact control environment.

asphalt paver
surface prep paving
paving conveyor
paving roller

Asphalt & Specialty Pavers

Pavers combine machine travel with material-handling and paving functions.

Depending on the machine, operator controls may support propulsion, steering, hopper functions, conveyor and auger operation, screed adjustments, and other frequently used commands.

Conveyor-Type & Material-Handling Equipment

Material-handling paving equipment requires coordinated control of machine movement and material flow.

Multifunction controls can support propulsion and directional input alongside conveyor and other material-handling functions.

Road Milling Equipment

Milling machines present a different operator-control challenge from asphalt placement.

Machine travel, steering, cutting functions, height adjustment, leveling, and conveyor operation may all need to be managed through the operator interface.

Brooms & Surface Preparation Equipment

Brooms and surface-preparation machines combine machine movement with application-specific working functions.

Controller selection should begin with the motions and functions required by the equipment rather than applying a control configuration designed for another machine type.

Engineering Controls for Pavement Equipment

Paving control designs can be customized around the feel and functions required for the application.

Machine Function & Control Architecture

Start with what the operator needs to control.

Paving equipment can combine propulsion, steering, material-feed systems, hopper functions, screed adjustments, positioning, and auxiliary commands. Milling equipment introduces additional functions such as machine height, leveling, milling, and conveyor control.

The number of functions, axes of movement, and required input type all influence the control approach.

Operator Interface & Control Layout

Frequently used functions should be positioned where they are easy and natural to access.

Grip geometry, controller movement, switch placement, function grouping, and actuation all influence how effectively the operator interacts with the machine.

Multifunction controls can consolidate related commands when that approach supports the operator’s workflow.

Operating Environment

Paving controls operate in demanding outdoor environments and may be exposed to vibration, dust, temperature changes, weather, and everyday jobsite wear.

Environmental requirements should be considered alongside function and interface requirements when selecting and configuring the control.

System Integration

The control also has to fit the machine mechanically and electrically.

Engineers should consider output requirements, connectors, wiring, mounting, available space, and the relationship between the operator input and the machine’s control architecture.

Evaluating those requirements early helps narrow the appropriate controller and configuration.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Equipment type provides useful context, but machine function is usually the better starting point.

Engineers should evaluate required motion, number of axes, proportional or discrete inputs, operator interaction, electrical interface, packaging, and environmental requirements before selecting a controller.

Functions that benefit from variable operator input rather than simple on/off actuation may be candidates for proportional control. Depending on the machine, these can include propulsion, positioning, conveyor speed, and other functions where the operator needs to vary the commanded response.

The appropriate input and output configuration depends on the machine’s control architecture.

Control feel should match the machine function and the amount of precision the operator needs. Engineers may need to consider lever travel, operating force, centering characteristics, gates, detents, and how frequently the control will be used.

Operator feedback during the design or evaluation process can also help determine whether the control behaves naturally for the intended function.

A foot-operated control can be useful when proportional input is needed while the operator’s hands remain occupied with steering, joysticks, or other machine functions.

OEM Controls identifies conveyor speed control as one application for its HFP4 Hall Effect Foot Pedal. Whether a pedal is appropriate depends on the operator workflow, required control function, available space, and machine architecture.

Download Utility Checklist

Explore Paving Equipment Control Solutions

Joystick Controllers

Single- and multi-axis controls for proportional and coordinated machine functions.

Handles & Operator Interfaces

Configurable grips and controls for operator-accessible auxiliary functions.

Switches & Foot Pedals

Alternative input devices for switching, selector and specialized control requirements.

Data Delivery

Tags, trackers and gateways for equipment and asset visibility.

Configure the Interface Around the Machine

OEM Controls states that paving control designs can be customized around the feel and functions required for the application.

OEM also offers customized operator-chair systems for paving equipment.

Need Help Defining the Right Marine Control Solution?

OEM Controls can help review the functions, operator interface, electrical requirements, mounting and environmental conditions of your vessel or port equipment application.