Road Widener Attachments for Wheel Loaders

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.

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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.

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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.

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Where to buy Road Widener Attachments for Wheel Loaders

Vendors for purchasing road widener attachments in Azerbaijan, South Africa, and Ecuador:

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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.