Road Widener, a global manufacturer of road construction equipment, offers the patented FH-R material placement attachment, which provides contractors with 50% reduced labor at 1/5 of the cost of traditional self-propelled equipment. Additionally, the remote-controlled design of the attachment allows the operator of the host machine to control the attachment via remote control — enhancing safety by eliminating the danger of additional workers standing along the jobsite. The FH-R is a versatile solution for material placement, precisely dispensing topsoil, gravel, asphalt, limestone and more — all with an attachment compatible with common machines that contractors already own.

Road Widener showcased the FH-R material placement attachment, along with other products and technologies, at booth C32921 during CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023.

“With the current Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal there is a renewed focus on repairing and reconstructing our nation’s roadways. Now is the time to modernize our infrastructure, making it safer and more resilient. The FH-R allows contractors to get the job done more quickly and efficiently. Our two-step process eliminates the need for grading and sweeping by placing the material right where it needs to go the first time.”

said Lynn Marsh, Road Widener president.

The remote-controlled attachment easily connects to most skid steers, compact track loaders, road graders and wheel loaders, operating off the host machine’s engine and hydraulics. It is available in left, right or dual dispensing configurations to take on any roadway around the world. The attachment streamlines a variety of tasks including backfilling, road widening, road shoulder repairs, remediation and aggregate placement. The material is poured into the hopper at the top of the FH-R and then precisely dispensed via remote control in adjustable lay-down widths from 1 to 6 feet (.3 to 1.8 meters). The attachment dispenses up to 20 tons of material in under 10 minutes.

“Our customers often tell us the swift capabilities of the FH-R have a tremendous effect on their business. With labor shortages spiking, contractors are often running with a lean crew. However, the demand for infrastructure remediation is only rising. The FH-R helps to solve this challenge by efficiently and precisely laying material with only one operator. Some of our customers can lay up to five linear miles a day with our machine, making it truly a game-changer for any business, no matter the size.”

said Marsh.

The FH-R works with standard and high-flow hydraulics and has only five grease fittings to maintain. The attachment costs up to 80% less than a self-propelled material placement machine. Its low-maintenance, functional design greatly reduces the price tag.

That saving extends to transportation requirements too. The compact size of the FH-R attachment provides easy transport with a common trailer that is towable by a standard pickup truck. Additionally, the FH-R’s small footprint decreases traffic disturbance and danger on busy highways and narrow backroads.