Truck-mounted asphalt (bitumen) distributors · Tank volume, spray width and application rate range, computer rate control and nozzle control, heating, transverse variable rate, calibration and test reports
An asphalt distributor is a truck- or trailer-mounted heated tank with a pump and spray bar that sprays liquid asphalt (bitumen, emulsion or asphalt-rubber) onto a road surface at a set rate per square metre, for example for seal coats ahead of the aggregate spreader. Ask three things first: what tank size, spray width and application rate range the work needs, how the distributor holds the rate constant as speed changes and how evenly it sprays across the bar, and what calibration and test reports the project specification demands.
Truck- and trailer-mounted asphalt (bitumen) distributors with heated tanks, pumps and spray bars, including computer-controlled distributors. Synchronous chip sealers, slurry seal and micro-surfacing machines, bitumen storage tanks and emulsion plants are outside this page except where compared.
01
Metong lists its intelligent asphalt distributors on Dongfeng (Sinotruk optional) truck chassis with tank capacities of 2.3–6, 8–10 or 12–13 m³, maximum spraying width of 4 m or 6 m, bitumen application rates of 0.3–3.0 L/m², working speeds of 1.5–6 km/h (2.5–10.5 km/h on the largest model), bitumen pump displacement of 0.45 or 1.6 L/rev, hydraulic drive up to 15 MPa, thermal-oil heating and compressed-air purge cleaning. It states that a proportional valve gives spraying accuracy within ±1%, that each pneumatic nozzle is individually controlled and removable, that nozzles give triple-overlap spraying, and that rates are set from the cab. [2]
Editorial calculation: spraying 1.0 L/m² across 4 m at 3 km/h (50 m/min) needs 4 × 50 × 1.0 = 200 L/min, about 444 pump revolutions per minute at 0.45 L/rev; at 6 km/h the flow doubles to 400 L/min. An 8 m³ tank at 1.0 L/m² covers 8,000 m², about 2 km of 4 m width. Ask the supplier for the pump's maximum speed and flow at your rate, width and speed. [2]
Editorial note: tell the supplier which binders you will spray (hot asphalt, emulsion, asphalt-rubber); for asphalt-rubber, Texas DOT requires a distributor that keeps the rubber in uniform suspension. [1]
Give the supplier the binders (grade, emulsion, asphalt-rubber), application rates and widths, working speed, daily area, tank size and chassis preference (or trailer), heating method and time, rate control (computer, ground-speed linked), nozzle control and bar height, transverse variable rate needs, test and calibration reports required, and local road-vehicle rules.
02
Texas DOT's 2024 Item 316 (Seal Coat) requires a distributor that applies the asphalt uniformly at the specified rate. Where a transverse variable rate is shown on the plans, nozzles outside the wheel paths must output a set percentage more asphalt by volume than those over the wheel paths, and a dual spray bar may be used. With asphalt-rubber, the distributor must keep the rubber in uniform suspension. The contractor must furnish a transverse distribution test report less than one year old (Tex-922-K, Part III) naming the distributor serial number, the nozzle set and its fan width at a 12 in bar height; a volumetric tank calibration and strap stick (Tex-922-K, Part I) performed no more than five years before first use; and, when asphalt is paid by weight, the Engineer may allow the computerised display to verify application rates. [1]
Editorial calculation: 1 US gallon per square yard is about 4.53 L/m², so the 0.3–3.0 L/m² range listed by Metong is about 0.07–0.66 gal/yd². Ask the supplier for a transverse distribution test on the nozzle set you will use, and a tank calibration chart. [2] [1]
03
Ohio DOT's construction inspection manual for tack coat (Item 407, 2013) requires the distributor to carry a tachometer, thermometer, pressure gauges and an accurate volume-measuring device or calibrated tank. The spray bar must be fully circulating, adjustable laterally and vertically, and hold a constant height above the pavement as the tank load changes. For trucks without computer rate control, the contractor must supply charts of the truck and pump speeds needed for the application rate. [4]
All nozzles are to be set at the same angle, 15 to 30 degrees to the spray-bar axis depending on the manufacturer, with the bar raised so the fans overlap; at very light rates the manual allows turning off one nozzle per foot of bar and raising the bar. For large areas the rate is checked from the gallons shown by the volume device, the run length and the measured width, and accepted when within 10 percent of the required rate with uniform coverage; a distributor that cannot meet this is removed from the project. [4]
Editorial note: ask the supplier to state nozzle angle and bar height for your binder and rate, and to demonstrate a measured run within your tolerance at handover.
04
ASTM D2995, Standard practice for estimating application rate and residual application rate of bituminous distributors, covers determining the transverse and longitudinal application rate, and the residual application rate, of asphalt distributors in gallons per square yard (or litres per square metre). Option A estimates the transverse and longitudinal application rate and its variability for bituminous material sprayed on a pavement; Option B estimates the residual application rate and its variability for emulsified asphalt applications. [3]
Naming the test practice in the order lets the buyer verify both the across-the-bar uniformity and the rate along the run that the Texas DOT seal coat item requires and the maker's rate-control system claims. [3] [1] [2]
Editorial calculation: 1 US gal/yd² = 3.785 L / 0.836 m² ≈ 4.53 L/m², so Metong's 0.3–3.0 L/m² rate range above corresponds to about 0.07–0.66 gal/yd².
| ASTM D2995 element | Content |
|---|---|
| What is measured | Transverse and longitudinal application rate and variability |
| Option A | Application rate of bituminous material sprayed by the distributor |
| Option B | Residual application rate of emulsified asphalt (binder left after the water leaves) |
| Units | Gallons per square yard (inch-pound units are the standard), litres per square metre for information |
State the binder (hot asphalt or emulsion) and target rate, and ask the supplier to demonstrate transverse and longitudinal rate by ASTM D2995 (Option A or B) at handover.
05
Suppliers linked to this page list asphalt distributors; each card links to the page reviewed.
The suppliers reviewed list asphalt distributors with chip sealers and other road maintenance equipment; ask each for tank sizes, spray widths and rate range, rate-control method and stated accuracy, nozzle control, heating, transverse distribution test data and chassis options.
06
This is a functional reference built from the sources cited; it is not one maker's design.
| System | Role | Fix in the order |
|---|---|---|
| Insulated tank | Holds hot binder. [2] [1] | Volume; calibration. |
| Heating system | Keeps binder at temperature. [2] | Thermal oil; burner. |
| Asphalt pump and drive | Delivers binder. [2] | Displacement; speed. |
| Spray bar and nozzles | Spread binder evenly. [2] [1] | Width; nozzle set; height. |
| Computer rate control | Hold rate with speed. [2] [1] | Accuracy; display. |
| Agitator (asphalt-rubber) | Keep rubber suspended. [1] | Fitted if needed. |
07
An asphalt distributor quotation needs values for your work. The table explains each field, gives published values where a reviewed source states them, and says what to obtain from the supplier.
| Field | What it means and published values | Ask the supplier for |
|---|---|---|
| Tank Capacity (m³) | E.g. 2.3–13 m³. [2] | Size; calibration chart. |
| Spray Width (m) | E.g. 4 or 6 m. [2] | Width; sections. |
| Application Rate (L/m²) | E.g. 0.3–3.0 L/m². [2] | Range; accuracy. |
| Heating Capacity (kW) | Thermal-oil heating. [2] | Heat-up time. |
| Operating Pressure (MPa) | E.g. 15 MPa hydraulic. [2] | Spray pressure. |
| Max Operating Temperature (°C) | Binder temperature. | Rating. |
| Pump Flow Rate (L/min) | E.g. 0.45 or 1.6 L/rev pump. [2] | Max flow. |
| Spray Bar Height Adjustment (mm) | Fan width tested at 12 in. [1] | Range. |
| Control System Accuracy (%) | E.g. stated ±1%. [2] | Test basis. |
| Power Supply | Truck PTO and hydraulics. [2] | Drive. |
| Overall Dimensions (L×W×H) (mm) | Road limits. | Dimensions. |
| Total Weight (kg) | Axle loads. | Empty and full. |
| Rate verification method | ASTM D2995 Option A (application rate) or B (residual rate for emulsion). [3] | Test option and acceptance limits. |
08
Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.
Binder: [type; grade; emulsion; asphalt-rubber] Rates: [L/m²; widths; transverse variable] Output: [area per day; speed] Tank: [m³; chassis or trailer] Control: [computer; nozzle control; accuracy] Heating: [method; time] Tests: [transverse distribution; tank calibration]
These companies list asphalt distributors.
Lists intelligent asphalt distributors with chip sealers and slurry seal machines.
Product scope checked 2026-10-11
Lists asphalt distributor trucks with emulsified bitumen equipment and chip sealers.
Product scope checked 2026-10-11
Lists asphalt distributors with slurry seal and chip seal equipment.
Product scope checked 2026-10-11
Explore company information and manufacturing capabilities, then discuss the scope of your project with a relevant supplier.
Metong lists 0.3–3.0 L/m² across 4–6 m with computer control and stated accuracy within ±1%. [2]
Texas DOT Item 316 requires a transverse distribution test report under one year old (Tex-922-K, Part III) for the nozzle set used. [1]
Texas DOT requires a volumetric tank calibration and strap stick performed within five years before first use. [1]
ASTM D2995 sets a practice for estimating transverse and longitudinal application rate (Option A) or residual rate for emulsions (Option B), in gallons per square yard. [3]
Ohio DOT's tack coat inspection manual sets all nozzles at the same angle, 15 to 30 degrees to the spray-bar axis depending on the manufacturer, with the bar high enough for the fans to overlap. [4]
Sources checked 2026-10-12. Texas DOT's Item 316 is a state highway specification; Metong describes its own distributors. Your project specification governs testing.
Ask for use case, specification boundaries, supplier type, and RFQ preparation information for this product.
Compare manufacturer profiles with relevant product and process capability.