In road construction and maintenance projects, stabilized soil mixers and cold recyclers are two commonly used machines, with significant differences in their functions and applications. This article will detail the differences between these two machines to help you make an informed choice based on your project needs.
I. Equipment Definition and Working Principle Differences
1. Stabilized Soil Mixer
A stabilized soil mixer is a device specifically designed to uniformly mix base materials such as soil and gravel with stabilizers (such as cement, lime, or asphalt emulsion). Its rotating mixing rotor cuts, crushes, and thoroughly mixes the material with the stabilizer to form a uniform stabilized soil mixture.
Workflow:
• Material Collection and Initial Crushing
• Precise Stabilizer Addition
• Deep Mixing for Uniform Mixing
• Mixture Output
2. Cold Recycler
A cold recycler is an advanced device used for in-situ road recycling. It crushes and mixes old pavement material without heating, then adds new aggregate or stabilizer to form a new pavement base material.
Workflow:
• Milling and crushing of old pavement
• Addition and mixing of new materials
• Formation of recycled mixture
• Direct paving or temporary storage
II. Comparison of Main Functions
| Functional Features | Stabilized soil mixer | Cold recycler |
| Main Applications | Construction of new road base | Recycling of old pavement |
| Material Processing | Processing of raw soil and rock | Recycling of old pavement materials |
| Temperature Requirements | Room temperature operation | Room temperature operation (different from hot recycling) |
| Additives | Stabilizers such as cement and lime | Recycling agents such as emulsified asphalt and cement |
| Output Materials | Stabilized soil | Recycled Mixture |
III. Application Scenario Differences
Stabilized Soil Mixer Applicable Projects:
1. New Highway and Railway Roadbed Construction
2. Site Leveling and Foundation Treatment
3. Engineering Projects Requiring Soil Quality Improvement
4. Material Improvement in Large-Scale Earthwork Projects
Cold Recycler Applicable Projects:
1. Old Asphalt Pavement Repair Projects
2. Road Base Regeneration Projects
3. Environmentally Friendly Maintenance Projects
4. Urban Road Renovation and Upgrading Projects
IV. Technical Parameter Comparison
Stabilized Soil Mixer Typical Parameters:
• Working Width: 2.0-2.5m
• Working Depth: 0-40cm
• Power: 300-500 HP
• Mixing Capacity: 500-800 tons/hour
Cold Recycler Typical Parameters:
• Working Width: 2.2-2.8m
• Working Depth: 0-30cm
• Power: 400-650 HP
• Processing Capacity: 30 0-600 square meters/hour
V. Selection Recommendations
When choosing a soil stabilizer:
• The project requires processing a large amount of virgin soil and rock
• The project requires the construction of a new stabilized base
• Site conditions allow for free equipment movement
• New construction projects with relatively limited budgets
When choosing a cold recycler:
• The project involves reusing old pavement materials
• An environmentally friendly and resource-saving project
• Urban projects that require reduced material transportation
• Road repair projects with tight deadlines
VI. Economic Benefit Analysis
From a long-term cost perspective:
• Soil stabilizer: Initial investment is low, but requires ongoing investment in new materials
• Cold recycler: Equipment purchase cost is higher, but can save on material and transportation costs
Depending on the project scale, cold recycling technology can save 30%-50% of the total cost of large-scale repair projects, while soil stabilizer mixing is more suitable for new construction projects with limited budgets.
VII. Maintenance and Operation Differences
Maintenance Key Points for Soil Stabilizer Mixers:
• Regularly inspect the mixing rotor for wear
• Clean sticky materials to prevent solidification
• Hydraulic system maintenance
Maintenance Key Points for Cold Recyclers:
• Milling tool replacement and management
• Metering system accuracy calibration
• Electronic control system maintenance
Operationally, cold recyclers generally require more skilled operators due to the more complex material mixes and process control involved.
Conclusion
Soil stabilizers and cold recyclers each have their own unique advantages and application scenarios. Understanding their core differences will help project managers make the optimal equipment selection based on project requirements, budget constraints, and environmental requirements. With technological advancements, the functional boundaries between these two types of equipment are blurring, and a new generation of hybrid equipment has emerged, offering more possibilities for road construction.
*If you are planning to purchase either type of equipment or related spare parts, please send us an inquiry or contact us directly. CCMIE has over 20 years of experience in road equipment and spare parts sales, providing you with a one-stop service experience!
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Post time: Aug-19-2025