Cold Planers and Concrete Recycling
Removing pavement or concrete requires the right equipment to manage the job efficiently. With cold planers, you can grind, mill and recycle materials directly on-site. These machines improve productivity while also making recycling possible, saving money and reducing waste.
What Are Cold Planers?
Also known as asphalt milling machines, cold planers use rotating drums to grind and remove pavement layers. Models range from compact, nimble machines for small jobs to heavy-duty planers capable of operating on highways for long stretches of time.
How Do Cold Planers Work?
Cold planers rely on a rotating drum fitted with carbide cutters. As the drum turns, it cuts into pavement at a depth and slope set by the operator. This allows precise control over how much material is removed — whether just the top surface or multiple layers down to the base. The loosened material is then milled into smaller pieces.
A conveyor system lifts the milled asphalt or concrete and deposits it into a dump truck alongside the planer. This continuous process lets crews remove large stretches of pavement efficiently without shutting down entire worksites for extended periods.
How Does Concrete Recycling Work?
The milled material becomes a resource instead of waste. Pavement and concrete materials that would otherwise go to landfills can be crushed, cleaned and sorted into usable aggregates. These recycled products are then repurposed as road base, engineered fill, or even new concrete mixes for sidewalks and other structures.
Processing typically involves several steps: initial crushing to break down chunks, secondary impactors to refine size, and sorting systems to separate large and small aggregates. Cleaning removes dirt and contaminants, leaving high-quality recycled material ready for use.
Recycled concrete can offer many advantages:
- Enhanced efficiency: Recycling reduces the labor and fuel required for hauling debris offsite.
- Lower raw material costs: Reuse aggregates you already have instead of paying for new material.
- Sustainability: Recycling reduces demand for quarrying and conserves natural resources.
Optimize Concrete Recycling With The Cat® Rental Store
The Cat® Rental Store can supply the equipment you need to mill, recycle and repurpose concrete. Our dealer network offers expert support and flexible terms to help you manage every stage of the process. To get started, explore our inventory or call 1-800-RENT-CAT. Find the Cat Rental Store near you to connect with a local dealer today.