CONTRACTOR SPOTLIGHT
edges are sprayed, one person is able to
drive the DA-350 to complete the re-
maining surface. Instead of three work-
ers hand spraying with three tips, one
employee can conquer the same area
in a fraction of the time, cutting over-
all project time and freeing up the ad-
ditional crew members to move on to
other jobs. Swift said the dual machine
makes quick work of large lots, helping
him complete jobs that once took 10-
12 hours in as few as four.
A Class of Its Own
Since adding the DA-350 to the
Southeast fleet, Swift has discovered
a significant bidding advantage over
many competitors. The dual applicator
has made it possible to place lower bids,
bid on a wider range of projects, and
complete them in less time. Swift also
increased profits, estimating Southeast
can earn 35-40 percent more each day
using the new machine.
1.800.210.5923
Swift pointed out that for many proj-
ects, similar productivity can be reached
with other commercial ride-on sealing
applicators, but to him, there are times
when there’s no comparison.
“The pump,” Swift said, “is the differ-
entiating factor. Their pump is capable
of handling more material and heavi-
er material than any other pump I’ve
used. The Neal Manufacturing pump
is known for that. They don’t need as
much maintenance or cleaning, either.”
The DA-350 uses the company’s
heavy-duty aggregate pump, which
achieves 100 gallons per minute. It also
manages heavier sand loads.
“Diaphragm pumps work great for a
standard sand load of 2-4 percent, but
some projects require a heavier sand
load. That’s when I need the DA-350,”
Swift said.
Swift will run a sand load of 4 percent
up to 8 percent through the DA-350
without hesitation. His fleet of resurfac-
[21]
ing applicators also includes machines
equipped with diaphragm pumps. But
when a project requires anything over
4 percent, he knows it will be going
through the Neal Manufacturing pump.
Good, Better, Best
Swift doesn’t hesitate to declare that
Neal Manufacturing makes the most
dependable and efficient asphalt resur-
facing applicator he’s worked with. He
also wasn’t shy about approaching the
manufacturer when he had ideas for
improvement. According to Swift, Neal
Manufacturing engineers not only wel-
comed his input, but worked with him
to develop custom improvements for
his applicator.
“It was easy,” Swift said. “When I
worked with the engineer, he had some
solutions and suggestions, as did I, and
we came out with a great machine.”
The most notable improvements
Continued on page 28
April 2019