Asphalt Paving Hand Tools

Asphalt Shovels

• Asphalt shovels move asphalt, rocks, dirt, snow, and loose pavement from the area where you plan to pave. The shovel gets smaller materials that may interfere with a smooth blacktop. It's not as heavy as traditional shovels but offers more control when moving ground. Asphalt shovels consist of a 16-gauge oversized steel head with curved edges to prevent spillage and a sturdy, long hardwood handle.

Sledgehammers

• Pavers use sledgehammers to break up thin layers of asphalt before shoveling up loose pieces. Sledgehammers have flat heads made of metal and handles consist of strong, think wood. They weigh between 10 and 20 lbs. and require a lot of force to swing over your head and break the pavement. Because sledgehammers result in flying bits, wear long shirts, protective eye wear, and long pants for protection.

Pick Mattocks

• Pick mattocks, similar to pickaxes, are used for digging and chopping. When you are paving an area, you can use a mattock to prepare the ground. It helps you soften soil in rocky areas and chop and remove roots that may interfere with a smooth asphalt surface. The tool consists of two heads: one flat like a sharp shovel and the other similar to an ax or chisel. Pick mattocks are relatively light hand tools, weighing between 3 and 7 lbs.

Asphalt Lutes and Rakes

• Asphalt lutes and rakes smooth wet asphalt before it dries, getting rid of the lumps and irregularities on the surface. These hand tools come in different designs. Some have a smooth side only, while others have two sides. Two-sided tools have a smooth end and a side that looks similar to a garden rake. Asphalt lutes and rakes have aluminum or wooden handles and weigh as little as 5 lbs.

Asphalt Tampers

• Asphalt tampers are hand tools used to flatten asphalt and road material. You can use it when you have to patch holes in the pavement. After you pour asphalt in a hole, press the tamper to smooth out the ground. Pound the asphalt repeatedly if necessary to even it with the older asphalt. Tampers have long wooden handles with metal plates on ends.