As a civil engineer with extensive experience in road construction, having the right equipment for shoulder building and repair is critical. Road widener attachments for wheel loaders provide an efficient method to improve and maintain road shoulders. In this article, I’ll cover the key features and benefits of loader-mounted widener attachments, types of wideners, and how to choose the right model.
Overview of Road Wideners
Road widener attachments are mounted on the front of wheel loaders. They allow the loader bucket to expand sideways, spreading and grading material to build up, repair, or maintain road shoulders and other areas.
Key benefits are:
- Widen roads without removing the existing surface
- Create wider, safer shoulders on narrow roadways
- Backfill erosion damage and drop-offs
- Spread gravel or crushed stone for shoulder surfacing
- Shape and contour ditches and other zones
Road wideners transform an everyday loader into a specialty shoulder grading and construction machine. Models are available to suit loaders from skid steers up to large highway-class units.
Types of Road Widener Attachments
There are two main types of road widener attachments for wheel loaders:
Box-Style Wideners
A box-style widener is the simplest design. The standard loader bucket is replaced with a wide rectangular open-top box that attaches where the bucket pins on. The box may be 6 to 14 feet wide depending on the loader. Hydraulics allow the box to be angled from side to side.
Advantages:
- Simple rugged design without moving parts
- Low purchase cost
- Full tilt and angle capability retained
Disadvantages:
- Limited reach to spread material far off-road edge
- Box must be loaded with gravel by another machine
Conveyor-Belt Wideners
More advanced wideners use an extra-wide conveyor belt system mounted ahead of the loader bucket. The belt extends from the loader mast and can telescope up to 14 feet off the side of the machine.
Advantages:
- Telescoping conveyor can spread material far off the road edge
- Loader can continuously load material onto the belt
- Smoother surface finish is possible
Disadvantages:
- Much higher cost than simple box-style
- Somewhat complex with hydraulics and moving parts
Choosing the Right Road Widener
Selecting the appropriate road widener attachment depends on several factors:
- Machine size class – compact, standard, large highway model
- Typical shoulder material used – soil, gravel, crushed rock
- Distance to fill from road edge
- Surface finish smoothness required
- Budget available
Other key considerations include contractor capabilities to operate and maintain the attachment and manufacturer’s support services.
In general:
- Box-style for smaller or basic needs
- Belt conveyor for versatility and reach
- Buy quality from reputable brands
Proper loader sizing and weight is crucial to stability and performance. Consult manufacturers for recommendations based on road widener size and expected conditions.
How to Calculate Accurate Asphalt Quantity for Road Construction
Using Road Wideners for Shoulder Work
Effective techniques for road widener attachments include:
- Build from road edge out to avoid tracking on new surface
- Angle blade/belt from straight to 10+ degrees for material spreading
- Begin spreading at low engine speeds to avoid ejecting material far
- Travel slow, under 2 mph optimal
- Spread layers no more than 6 inches deep
- Compact finished surface with a separate roller machine
- Use a grade control system to maintain cross-slope
Proper use minimizes aggregate or soil segregation for best shoulder uniformity. Keep loads sized appropriately for the attachment capacity and loader stability.
The Cornerstones of Mix Design: Understanding Aggregate Gradation and Particle Shape
Maintenance Tips
Maintaining road wideners includes:
- Daily cleanout of any packed material
- Lubricating bearings and pivot points
- Inspecting hydraulics and hoses
- Checking belt tension and wear
- Confirming all structural connections are tight
- Periodic repainting to avoid rust deterioration
Stored inside when possible. Detach from loader between work periods to free the machine for other tasks.
How to Calculate Accurate Asphalt Quantity for Road Construction
Where to buy Road Widener Attachments for Wheel Loaders
| Country | Capital | Vendor Name | Phone Number | Address | Website URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | Ottawa | Toromont CAT | 416-667-5511 | 4103 Langstaff Rd, Concord, ON L4K 5B3 | https://www.toromontcat.com |
| Canada | Ottawa | Strongco | 613-736-3333 | 2077 Tricont Ave, Ottawa, ON K1H 6C3 | https://www.strongco.com |
| Canada | Ottawa | Nortrax Canada | 204-255-2214 | 1025 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg, MB R3T 1L6 | https://www.nortrax.com |
| Canada | Ottawa | Brandt Tractor | 905-565-1914 | 5500 Core Bus Ctr, Mississauga, ON L4W 5E4 | https://www.brandttractor.com |
| Canada | Ottawa | Ottawa Truck Centers | 613-749-3003 | 4320 Innes Rd, Orleans, ON K4A 3W3 | |
| Canada | Ottawa | J.R. Brisson | 613-443-3400 | 2179 Pierce Rd, Carlsbad Springs, ON K0A 1K0 | |
| Canada | Ottawa | McKeil Equipment | 613-384-3322 | 3457 Farmcrest Dr, Ottawa, ON K1T 3W4 | https://www.mckeil.com |
| Canada | Vancouver | Great West Equipment | 604-940-1212 | 7188 Progress Way, Delta, BC V4G 1E3 | https://www.gwequipment.com |
| Canada | Calgary | Strongco | 403-720-9900 | 5516E – 40th St SE, Calgary, AB T2C 2A1 | https://www.strongco.com |
| Canada | Montreal | Brandt Tractor | 514-333-1212 | 2695 rue Watt, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9 | https://www.brandttractor.com |
| France | Paris | Terex France | +33 590 388 458 | 16-18 Rue Henri Becquerel, 97120 Le Gosier | https://www.terex.com/fr/fr |
| France | Paris | Engcon France | +33 231 508 157 | ZI Mondeville – 12 rue Nicéphore Niepce, 14120 Mondeville | https://www.engcon.com/fr |
| France | Paris | Wantois | +33 442 152 888 | Parc d’activité de la Verdière 13880, Velaux | |
| France | Paris | Mecabrive | +33 555 289 000 | La robouly, 19800, Eyrein | https://www.mecagri.fr |
| France | Paris | Motobecane | +33 164 755 900 | 49 Av. de l’Europe, 77184 Emerainville | https://www.motobecane.com |
| France | Paris | Manuchar | +33 385 351 500 | 5 Rue de la Foucaudière, 72000 Le Mans | https://www.manuchar.com |
| France | Paris | Loiselet | +33 320 414 777 | Avenue pasteur, 14460 Colombelles | https://www.loiselet.com |
| France | Lyon | Loxam | +33 472 107 909 | 22 Avenue des Frères Montgolfier, 69680 Chassieu | https://www.loxam.fr |
| France | Marseille | Kiloutou | +33 413 108 108 | 305 Av.du Méjean, 84100 Orange | https://www.kiloutou.fr |
| Country | Capital | Vendor Name | Phone Number | Address | Website URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Washington, D.C. | Construction Attachments | 301-733-1055 | 12450 Milestone Center Dr #600, Germantown, MD 20876 | |
| United States | Washington, D.C. | ACS Industries | 800-525-7452 | 3051 W Pasadena Dr, Boise, ID 83705 | |
| United States | Washington, D.C. | German-Bliss | 309-755-7203 | 301 Spring St, East Peoria, IL 61611 | https://www.germanbliss.com |
| United States | Washington, D.C. | Equipment Depot | 866-468-5858 | 3718 7th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35222 | https://www.equipdepot.com |
| United States | Washington, D.C. | A.L.P.A Equipment | 513-424-7369 | 4459 Interstate Dr, Cincinnati, OH 45246 | https://www.alpaequipment.com |
| Australia | Canberra | Webforge | +61 2 6170 5000 | 6 Yallourn St, Fyshwick ACT 2609 | https://www.webforge.com.au |
| Australia | Canberra | Hastings Deering | +61 7 3251 2999 | 56 Yamboree Rd, Paget QLD 4740 | https://www.hastingsdeering.com.au |
| Australia | Canberra | PACE Farm Machinery | +61 3 9971 1444 | 352 Fitzgerald Rd, Derrimut VIC 3030 | https://www.pacefarm.com.au |
| Australia | Canberra | Total Tools | +61 7 3808 6999 | 48 Spine St, Sumner QLD 4074 | https://www.totaltools.com.au |
| Australia | Canberra | Toolmart Australia | +61 2 6297 1022 | 2 Yallourn St, Fyshwick ACT 2609 | https://www.toolmart.com.au |
| United Kingdom | London | Molson Group | +44 1642 211 521 | Sherburn, Malton YO17 8PZ | https://www.molsongroup.co.uk |
| United Kingdom | London | Finning | +44 151 495 2777 | Millennium City Park, Mahon Road, Liverpool L24 8RN | https://www.finning.com/en_GB.html |
| United Kingdom | London | Vertikal Days | +44 148 421 1999 | Brighouse, West Yorkshire HD6 4BA | https://www.vertikaldays.net |
| United Kingdom | London | Frazer Plant Sales | +44 1506 460 046 | 1 Teviot Street, Livingston EH54 9BF | https://www.frazerplantsales.co.uk |
| United Kingdom | London | Molson Green | +44 1285 862 888 | Ashton Keynes, Swindon SN6 6QR | https://www.molsongreen.co.uk |
Vendors for purchasing road widener attachments in Azerbaijan, South Africa, and Ecuador:
| Country | Capital | Vendor Name | Phone Number | Address | Website URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azerbaijan | Baku | Caspian Tractor | +994 12 521 0705 | Bakı, Şimal-Qərb, Heydər Əliyev pr. 525 | |
| Azerbaijan | Baku | Azerteks MMC | +994 12 598 1212 | Mərdanov qardaşları küç., 123, Baku | N/A |
| Azerbaijan | Baku | Azermash | +994 12 447 1058 | Məhəmməd Hadi küç., 31, Baku | http://azmash.com/ |
| Azerbaijan | Baku | Azertexnolayn MMC | +994 12 565 4848 | İsmayılbəyov küç., 302, Baku | https://www.atlm.az/ |
| Azerbaijan | Baku | Azfen JV | +994 12 598 5262 | Mirzəağa Əliyev küç., 205, Baku | http://azfen.az/ |
| South Africa | Pretoria | Bell Equipment | +27 11 923 6000 | 54-56 Peggington Ave, Springfield Park, Durban | https://www.bellequipment.com |
| South Africa | Cape Town | Barloworld Equipment | +27 21 950 4111 | Corner Rustenburg & Rapid Roads, Headway Hill, Epping | https://www.barloworld-equipment.com |
| South Africa | Bloemfontein | WG Wearne | +27 11 620 3111 | 32 Buffalo Rd, Boksburg | https://www.wgwearne.co.za |
| South Africa | Pretoria | ELB Equipment | +27 12 345 4319 | 7 Maple North St, Willows, Pretoria | https://elbequipment.co.za |
| South Africa | Cape Town | M&R Equipment | +27 21 004 0850 | Cape Town, South Africa | https://mrequipment.co.za |
| Ecuador | Quito | IMCA | +593 2 600 0119 | Av. Eloy Alfaro N32-300 y Av. Amazonas, Quito | |
| Ecuador | Quito | Ferronor | +593 2 381 1542 | Av. Pedro Vicente Maldonado, Quito | |
| Ecuador | Quito | Motored | +593 2 281 6559 | Juan Gonzalez N35-169 y Juan Bautista, Quito | https://www.motored.com.ec |
| Ecuador | Quito | Italgru | +593 2 243 7970 | Via a Tabacundo Km 1.5y, Vía Intervalles, Quito | https://italgru.com |
| Ecuador | Quito | Rimec | +593 999 119 667 | Av. 10 de Agosto N35-65 y Mañosca, Quito | https://www.rimec.com.ec |
Luxury Asphalt Shingles Guide – What, When, How and Benefits
Final Words
Road widener attachments are an efficient, cost-effective solution for creating and maintaining safe stable shoulders on unpaved and gravel roadways. Simple box-style units work for basic small-scale needs while telescoping conveyor-belt models provide excellent reach and versatility for major shoulder construction and repair projects. Proper selection, use and maintenance extend the productivity and longevity of these purpose-built implements.
What is a road widener attachment?
A road widener is a specially designed implement that mounts on the front of a wheel loader. It allows the loader to expand sideways, spreading gravel, soil, crushed rock or other materials to widen or build up road shoulders and ditches or other areas off the road edge.
How does a road widener attachment work?
The most basic design is an expanded open-top box that attaches where the loader bucket pins on. More complex models use a telescoping conveyor belt system that can extend 10 feet or more off the side of the loader. The widened section spreads, carries and dumps the material as the loader travels forward.
What are road wideners used for?
Primary uses are building and maintaining road shoulders. This includes widening narrow shoulders, filling eroded or dropped-off areas, spreading drainage aggregate, regarding ditch lines, building ramps and pull-offs, spreading fill for future expansions, and other tasks near the road edge.
Can a road widener be used on any loader?
Wideners are designed to attach to specific loader types and sizes. Matching the widener to the correct loader class is crucial for proper operation, stability, and safety. Consult manufacturers for recommendations. Compact and skid-steer units are best for smaller-scale jobs, while large highway-class loaders handle big-shoulder projects.
What should you look for in a road widener?
Key factors are suitability to your loaders, belt vs box style, width and reach needs, conveyor capacity, right brand for support, ease of maintenance, durability, and total cost of ownership. Look for high-quality components from reputable manufacturers.
