Recently, I accompanied personnel from the Pinghu Highway Management Department's maintenance station to Provincial Highway 01. A new type of loader was being used to remove raised asphalt bumps (blooms) from the road surface; it took less than half a minute to completely clear a bump, leaving the road surface much smoother.
According to the station manager, this "Bobcat" skid-steer loader was purchased to boost highway maintenance efficiency and mechanization while reducing the physical strain on maintenance crews. Despite its compact size, the machine is highly capable; it can be used for road milling to improve pothole repair quality, removing asphalt bumps, and conducting emergency response operations during freezing rain or snow.
The machine has now officially entered service; compared to traditional manual methods, its work efficiency is approximately ten times higher.
To ensure staff fully master and skillfully operate this new machine, the Pinghu Highway Management Department organized training combining theoretical study, simulated operation, and field drills. This training enabled operators to thoroughly understand the equipment's components and performance characteristics, ensuring proficient use and proper maintenance so that the machine can effectively fulfill its role in future highway maintenance operations.
