Modern Mix Designs Are Tougher—And So Is the Build-Up
Not too long ago, drag slats didn’t need much attention. You’d maybe hit ‘em with some diesel or scrape them down now and again, and they’d run fine for years. But those days are fading fast.
As asphalt mix designs continue to evolve—adding polymers, fibers, and other additives to make pavement last longer—the byproduct is a stickier, more aggressive mix. That means more buildup inside your drag slat conveyor system. And more buildup means more problems: slower material flow, reduced system efficiency, premature wear on chains and slats, and unscheduled shutdowns to clean or repair.
That’s where SoySolv DST comes in. It’s a 3-in-1 drag slat cleaner, lubricant, and release agent built specifically for the challenges of today’s mix designs.
Why Mix Designs Are Getting Stickier
The push to improve pavement performance has been a win in a lot of ways. Roads are lasting longer, handling more traffic, and withstanding weather better. But behind the scenes, those changes are creating challenges for the plants.
Modified binders, rubberized asphalt, and other additives may be great for the road—but they’re a headache for drag slats. What used to come out clean now cakes up fast, especially on hot days or with slower-moving material.
SoySolv DST is purpose-built to address this new reality. It’s not a repurposed diesel blend or some all-purpose degreaser—it’s designed specifically for the demands of modern asphalt production.
What Makes SoySolv DST Different?
SoySolv DST does more than just loosen up asphalt. It works on three levels to clean, protect, and prevent buildup across your entire drag slat system—from the floor of the trough to the traverse and discharge chutes.
Cleaner
DST emulsifies and breaks down hardened asphalt and tar buildup inside drag slat troughs, slat chains and flights, traverse sections, discharge chutes, sprockets, sidewalls, and metal housings.Lubricant
It coats all metal-on-metal contact points with a slick, durable layer that helps reduce wear on chain links, rollers, and pins—extending component life.Release Agent
DST leaves behind a thin protective film that keeps fresh mix from sticking, even with the toughest polymer-modified designs. That means less downtime, less manual scraping, and cleaner flow every shift.
And unlike diesel, SoySolv DST doesn’t flash off the moment it hits a hot surface. Its high flash point and slow evaporation rate mean it stays put—continuing to work long after application. That translates to fewer reapplications, longer-lasting protection, and better performance during peak plant hours.
Who’s Using SoySolv DST?
More and more plant operators are making the switch because they’re seeing the changes in their own conveyors. The calls we hear most often:
“We used to never have build-up in our drag slat—now we’re cleaning it twice a week.”
“The polymer mixes are sticking like glue. We need something stronger.”
“Diesel just isn’t cutting it anymore.”
SoySolv DST is already being used by forward-thinking asphalt plants across the country who want to reduce unplanned downtime, extend chain life, and improve production efficiency.
Simple to Use, Easy to Apply
DST can be sprayed manually or applied using a pump-up sprayer. Some plants are applying it as a pre-treatment before the first load of the day. Others hit the slats and chutes at the end of each shift while everything’s still warm.
No matter the approach, DST starts working immediately and keeps working longer than traditional options like diesel, which tends to evaporate before it even finishes the job.
The Bottom Line
The industry is changing. Mixes are getting stickier. Drag slats are working harder than ever. What used to be an afterthought is now a real maintenance priority.
SoySolv DST is designed for this shift—keeping drag slats, traverses, and discharge chutes cleaner, running smoother, and lasting longer in the face of tougher mixes.
And with a slow evaporation rate and high flash point, it’s a safer, longer-lasting, and more effective alternative to diesel for drag slat maintenance.
Looking to Stay Ahead of the Buildup?
Visit www.soysolv.com to learn more about DST and get your operation set up for a cleaner, more efficient paving season.
Let SoySolv DST do the dirty work—so your crew doesn’t have to.
