LeeBoy FAQ: Plate Compactors, the 8500 Asphalt Paver, Attachments, and Skid Steers

I'm the procurement manager at a 45-person highway and site-paving contractor. I've run our equipment budget for eight years and kept a line-item history on every machine we own. If you're shopping for LeeBoy equipment—or trying to justify it to your finance team—here are the questions I get asked most often and the answers I give after running the numbers.

• What exactly does LeeBoy make?
• Is the LeeBoy 8500 asphalt paver worth the premium?
• Should I add a LeeBoy plate compactor to the fleet?
• What should I know about paddle attachments?
• What does a balloon pump have to do with compaction?
• What is a skid steer, and do I need one alongside a paver?
• What should I inspect before buying a used LeeBoy paver?

What exactly does LeeBoy make?

LeeBoy is best known for asphalt pavers, but they also build motor graders, tack distributors, and compaction equipment like plate compactors. They sell parts and service through a dealer network, and that's the part I don't skip. Most buyers focus on model specs and miss the support question: how fast can your dealer get a wear part to you? The machine only makes money when it's running. If the nearest dealer is two days away and you're in the middle of a paving window, that's a cost, not a convenience.

You can verify current models and dealer locations on leeboy.com as of January 2025. The spec sheet changes, but the parts and service network is the reason we stay with the brand.

Is the LeeBoy 8500 asphalt paver worth the premium?

The 8500 is a production-class paver, but worth it depends on how you calculate cost. When we evaluated one in 2024, the price tag was higher than two comparable units we considered. The spreadsheet said one of the other machines was 12% cheaper. My gut said to stay with the LeeBoy dealer because of their response time and parts history. I went with my gut—after a bearing failure in the first season, the dealer had the part on-site the next morning. That one call covered the price difference.

Don't read that as a blank check for brand names. When we compared the 8500, I also built a simple TCO spreadsheet: purchase price, expected residual value after five years, scheduled service interval cost, and average uptime. The residual value assumption changed the math more than the sticker price. The 8500 held its value better in our market, and that's worth something when you trade up. The other machine was cheaper on day one, but the five-year cost was basically the same once resale value and response time were included.

Should I add a LeeBoy plate compactor to the fleet?

If you're doing utility cut patches, curb ramps, or small parking lot repairs, yes. If you're doing large subgrade work, a plate compactor is a supplement, not a replacement for a roller. In 2023 I audited our rental spend and found we rented a plate compactor 22 times that year. That number justified buying one.

If you already have a large roller, don't buy a compactor just because one is on sale. For small patches, a plate compactor saves you from running a 10-ton roller into an area it can't fit. A walk-behind unit can work where you don't want a bigger machine. The cost question is about utilization, not purchase price. We rented one 22 times in 2023; at that volume, owning made sense. If you're renting fewer than six to eight times per year, keep renting.

What should I know about paddle attachments?

Paddle attachments are one of those specification details people add after the fact instead of at purchase. On an asphalt paver, the paddle attachment is part of the feed system that controls material flow from the conveyor to the augers. If your crew changes mat width often or runs thin lifts, confirm the paddle attachment option in writing before the purchase order. Retrofitting later costs more and usually means waiting on parts.

The feed system is what lays a consistent mat. If the paddle attachment isn't set up correctly, you'll get uneven material distribution, and somebody will spend time fixing those spots before compaction. That's a rework cost you never put on the purchase order. Ask your dealer for a demo with the actual material you'll be running, not a sales video.

What does a balloon pump have to do with compaction?

A balloon pump is a field density-testing device, not a party supply. The rubber-balloon method (ASTM D2167) uses a pump to seat a rubber membrane in a test hole, then measures the hole volume for the density calculation of compacted soil. If your specs call for subgrade density before paving, a balloon pump kit is cheap insurance against settlement after paving.

I used to think compaction testing was a lab problem. The numbers said otherwise. After tracking 18 months of rework costs, I found that two of our four mystery overruns traced back to subgrade settlement. A $400 test kit saved us a $12,000 tear-out on one project. (Note to self: run that density test earlier next time.)

What is a skid steer, and do I need one alongside a paver?

A skid steer is a compact loader with a rigid frame and two independently driven side drivetrains. It steers by skidding the wheels or tracks on each side, which is where the name comes from. It's the utility tool on a paving site: loading sand, moving pallets, sweeping the pad, or running attachments.

Do you need one? Not if your motor grader and paver crew already have loaders for material handling. For small crews, a rented skid steer for five days per project can be cheaper than owning one. I built a utilization calculator after getting burned on a machine that sat idle for six weeks. Run the numbers before you lease. And remember, an inexperienced operator can tear up a prepared base in an hour—another reason to plan the rental around a trained crew.

What should I inspect before buying a used LeeBoy paver?

Prevention beats expensive correction. Here's the 12-point checklist I use before any used paver purchase:

1. Engine hours vs. service records
2. Undercarriage or tire condition
3. Screed wear and flatness
4. Conveyor chain and sprocket wear
5. Paddle attachment controls and linkage
6. Hydraulic hoses and cylinder leaks
7. Water spray system and tank
8. Electrical wiring and sensor connections
9. Auger condition and bearing play
10. Dealer distance and parts lead time
11. Available manuals and maintenance logs
12. Rental history (if the machine wasn't in a rental fleet, even better)

That list came from mistakes we made on our first purchase (which, honestly, was a lesson I didn't want to repeat). The checklist looks long, but it took about 45 minutes. I know crews who skip it because they're in a hurry, then spend weeks chasing hydraulic leaks or worn screed parts. Five minutes of verification at the dealership beats five days of correction after delivery.