MULTIPLEX - Do you use them?

Hey just a question. We run an older W1900 ('97 i do believe) and thinking about getting a Multiplex for it when we are milling from Curb to Curb.
Any suggestions from the pros?
Oh and buying a new mill is not an option atm.

Im not a pro but my vote is no. Ski is the bomb curb too curb. Even when the ski is way up on top of the rail of a curb it just takes some getting used to. Alot of people are concerned worried about the up and down of the ski and if they can control it in time, usually some calibration of the machine reaction and watching leg barrels while running handles all that. Multiplex is a great option, Iv seen it used much more for averaging then anything else. Having that extra sensor away from the ski is nice to but not all that necessary...Imagine the days of grade wheels? hhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaa

Milling_Drum is the only option for a Multiplex system for a Wirtgen a Sonic sensor or is there other great options like "Grade wheels". I have a buddy who works for a company who shall remain namless that still uses GW's on their CAT mill... poor b*****d

Uh.....you wouldnt want to use a grade wheel at all..even the sonic, the whole need for one stems from the fact whoever runs the ground isnt good enough to handle it using the ski. It is possible to set the dead side ski as the grade sensor and run slope to keep from digging a hole on the curb side....lots of ways to handle the curb ski. The multiplex best use is on highway applications as an averaging sensor.

Tell me about the nameless ones please. I used to work in Toronto for D. Crupi & Sons. Worked for Miller as well. I didnt know anyone in the east still used old grade control systems using grade wheels. If you see them running snap a picture or two for us....

I have use the multiplex system on a 2200 and (if your boss can leave it alone) it works great!!! we used it on a 6 lane highway and let me tell you it is a pain in the a$$. All it is,is a large averaging system alot like a 12ft ski you see on pavers. Unless the job specs call for that system its not worth the trouble. not enough Dot inspectors know what the hell it is and how it works. when they see it cutting way past spec or way under spec they don't understand that its taking out highs and not cutting the lows.. as far as the sensors we made ski's for all of the sensors to run a wire rope for every arm......... don't wast your time. the sonic works just as good. the damn thing looks like a large spider already. don't try to reinvent the wheel. we ended up having Wirtgen america redesign the arms for out machine because they would bounce wile milling and the new designee is Huge...... i actually know of a whole set that is for sale......

Yeah we use them. We like it old school. Lol. http://youtu.be/bb3tHfw1aW4. Here's a link to a video I shot today.

Not to stray to far off topic at Puppy...imma tell you this one time...get rid of that headset system and learn to communicate with the operator and dump trucks without it. You are the only person iv seen that far east wearing a set. I cannot accurately count the amount of times headsets have caused accident and fatalities on milling jobs...


By the way thats a pretty cool old CMI. Dont be afraid of those cranks, watch leg barrels so you dont have to go behind the drum for an accurate idea of where your at cutting.

We will return with Wirtgen 101 after this word from our sponsors, yes they have piled money into the pockets of your local congressman elect to allow you the right to believe democracy really does work and that you really are free...vote for both and see.

I have nothing to do with the milling operations at our company they come mill asphalt on our jobs when needed. Just thought I would post a video of someone using grade wheels since it seems to be the dated way of milling. From what I have seen the guys milling generally use hand signals for the trucks and man on top of the machine. This maybe a dumb question but how do headsets kill people around mills. I have not spent much time around them and if there is some info I need to pass on to be safer on the job I would much appreciate it.

A few people have been killed by trucks backing up to the mill...

Or regular traffic driving into the construction area. Some of the concrete guys at Ajax still run with headsets on the slipform paver but I just don't get it. I almost got hit by a semi that got out of control and the only thing that saved me was hearing it coming and diving over the guardrail. I'd never wear a headset in a construction site after that.

They swear by them out west here, This year was the first time I havent worn them (forced) in a couple of years. Its way to easy to wander when all the background noise is muted. Specially when your 15 to 20 hours a shift.

Just hook up the multiplex arms and sonics but don't turn them on. Nobody will ever know. However on the w210 it works waaaay better then the older Wirtgens. Can't beat the level pro system on those machines.

Hi new on here but I agree the new 210 multiplex system is way better with the new system that wirtgen has come up with we put a w2000 beside a new w210 was eazyer to use but the w2000 left a better profile then the w210 found out with the w210 and the 2 motors the pattern was alittle like a rumble strip when u hit a hight spot and pulls hard and it puts the extra power to it but able to get

joshua lowe said:

Hi new on here but I agree the new 210 multiplex system is way better with the new system that wirtgen has come up with we put a w2000 beside a new w210 was eazyer to use but the w2000 left a better profile then the w210 found out with the w210 and the 2 motors the pattern was alittle like a rumble strip when u hit a hight spot and pulls hard and it puts the extra power to it but able to get

Click to expand...

Huh? :coughpunctuationcough: I highly doubt the pattern had anything to do with the machine

Hey Joshua, I have some bad news for ya, there isn't a living thing that could make a W2000 out produce the W210. Personally I'm not a fan of newer Wirtgen and in general don't have a preference with them but it simply isn't possible to move faster, load trucks faster, finish the job faster with the older mill in this case. The 210 is based on a W2100 which had a twin turbo 6 in it. Aside from that they also had a few gear reduction tweaks and a different hp to weight ratio that drastically left the W2000 in highway profile. They are great mills, but that comparison is wayyyy off. They call it the difference to be around 33 to 35% above the W2000.

If you think the W2000 is something, try one of the W2200.....and like toegrinder mentioned above, a cut pattern wont affect anything.