The operator riding the back of the paver who runs the screed controls: thickness cranks, grade and slope automatics, screed extensions and heat. The name comes from the threaded screws behind those thickness cranks, which set the screed's angle of attack by hand. The screwman also watches yield, joints and mat texture, so the smoothness of the job rides largely on that seat.
Ask the screwman what he's carrying loose, I need two and a half behind the screed to finish at two.
Also heard as
- screw man
- screed operator
- screed man
- back-end operator
Related terms
Screed
The heated, floating plate assembly at the back of a paver that levels and pre-compacts the mat.
Tow point
The point on the paver frame where the screed's side arm pivots, raised or lowered to control mat thickness.
Roll-down
The amount a loose mat drops in thickness as the rollers compact it.
Raker
A paving laborer who works behind the screed with a lute, fixing joints, edges and handwork.