Free floating screed

The free floating screed is a device pioneered in the 1930s that revolutionized the asphalt paving process.

The screed connects to the tractor portion of the paving machine via its tow arm.

Adjusting screed settings will change the placement depth and width, as well as amount of material being placed.

The free floating screed has become standard because of the smoothing or averaging effect it can have on the existing base course.

[2] The free floating screed was first developed by Harry H. Barber, one of the founders of the Barber-Greene Co., in 1933 for which he received patent number US 2138828A  ("Machine for and process of laying roads") three years later.

The screed is seen at the back of the paver, smoothing the paving mixture under the control of its operator, standing at the center of the screed.