Blaw-Knox and LeeBoy Pavers Support Decline Ownership Challenges and Field Solutions

[MikePhua]

The Legacy of Blaw-Knox and LeeBoy in Roadbuilding
Blaw-Knox and LeeBoy have long been recognized as foundational brands in the asphalt paving industry. Blaw-Knox, founded in 1917, pioneered the mechanical paver and became synonymous with highway-grade paving machines. LeeBoy, established in the 1960s, focused on compact pavers tailored for municipal and commercial use. Together, they covered the full spectrum of paving—from interstate highways to parking lots.
Blaw-Knox machines were known for their screed control, auger consistency, and robust undercarriage design. LeeBoy earned its reputation for maneuverability, ease of transport, and operator-friendly controls. At their peak, both brands had strong dealer networks and technical support channels. However, ownership changes, corporate restructuring, and shifting market priorities have led to a noticeable decline in product support for legacy models.
Terminology Annotation:

• Screed: The rear component of a paver that levels and compacts asphalt.
  
• Auger: A rotating shaft that distributes asphalt evenly across the screed width.
  
• Undercarriage: The track or wheel system supporting the paver’s frame and drive components.
  

Support Gaps and Parts Availability Issues
Owners of older Blaw-Knox and LeeBoy pavers increasingly report difficulty sourcing parts, service manuals, and technical assistance. Common challenges include:

• Discontinued part numbers with no aftermarket equivalents
  
• Inaccessible wiring diagrams or hydraulic schematics
  
• Unresponsive dealer networks for legacy models
  
• Lack of factory-trained technicians familiar with older systems
  

These issues are compounded by:

• Mergers and acquisitions that deprioritize legacy support
  
• Transition to newer models with incompatible components
  
• Limited online documentation for pre-2000 machines
  

In one county road department in Missouri, a Blaw-Knox PF-172 required a new conveyor chain. The part was no longer stocked, and the dealer referred the crew to a third-party fabricator. After a two-week delay and custom machining, the paver was returned to service—but at triple the expected cost.
Field Strategies for Legacy Machine Survival
Operators and fleet managers have developed creative solutions to keep aging pavers operational:

• Reverse-engineering components using local machine shops
  
• Salvaging parts from retired units or auctioned machines
  
• Building informal support networks among owners
  
• Digitizing old manuals and sharing them across forums
  
• Retrofitting modern sensors or controls onto older frames
  

Recommendations:

• Maintain a parts inventory for high-wear items like augers, bearings, and hydraulic hoses
  
• Document all wiring and hydraulic routing during repairs
  
• Partner with regional vocational schools for fabrication support
  
• Use laser measurement tools to verify screed alignment and wear
  
• Keep a log of serial numbers, part specs, and retrofit modifications
  

Terminology Annotation:

• Reverse Engineering: The process of analyzing and recreating a part based on its physical dimensions and function.
  
• Retrofitting: Adding newer components or systems to older equipment to improve performance or compatibility.
  
• Conveyor Chain: A linked assembly that moves asphalt from the hopper to the augers.
  

In one paving firm in Alberta, a LeeBoy 8500 was retrofitted with a modern temperature sensor and digital screed control. The upgrade improved mat consistency and allowed the crew to meet tighter municipal specs.
Manufacturer Transitions and Ownership Impact
Blaw-Knox has changed hands multiple times, moving from Ingersoll-Rand to Volvo, and later to Gencor Industries. Each transition brought shifts in product focus and support structure. LeeBoy, under VT LeeBoy and later ST Engineering, also underwent strategic realignments that deprioritized older models.
These transitions often result in:

• Rebranding of parts and manuals
  
• Loss of institutional knowledge among service staff
  
• Fragmentation of technical documentation
  
• Reduced incentive to support non-current models
  

In one equipment yard in Georgia, a technician spent three days tracing a hydraulic fault on a Blaw-Knox paver due to missing schematics. After contacting multiple dealers, he received a scanned page from a 1993 manual—barely legible but enough to identify a failed relief valve.
Policy and Procurement Considerations
Municipal and state agencies relying on Blaw-Knox or LeeBoy pavers face procurement dilemmas. Replacing a legacy machine may require:

• Justifying budget increases for newer models
  
• Training operators on unfamiliar control systems
  
• Reconfiguring transport and storage logistics
  
• Navigating warranty and service contract limitations
  

Strategies for public fleets:

• Conduct lifecycle cost analysis comparing repair vs. replacement
  
• Include support guarantees in new equipment bids
  
• Negotiate parts stocking agreements with dealers
  
• Advocate for legacy support in industry associations
  

In one DOT district in Pennsylvania, a procurement officer negotiated a clause requiring the dealer to stock critical parts for five years post-sale. This helped maintain uptime and reduced emergency sourcing costs.
Conclusion
The decline in product support for Blaw-Knox and LeeBoy pavers reflects broader industry shifts—but it also reveals the resilience of operators and technicians who keep these machines running. Through ingenuity, collaboration, and strategic planning, legacy pavers continue to lay asphalt across towns, counties, and cities. In roadbuilding, support may fade—but commitment to the craft never does.