What is an Asphalt Lute?
If you have ever admired a blacktop driveway that is perfectly flat, you have witnessed the proper application of an asphalt lute. An asphalt lute is a tool used while spreading asphalt to insure that it is applied evenly. The lute consists of a handle, made from wood or a lightweight metal, with a flat, thin rectangular head. Beneath the head it is common for a lute to have two thin struts connecting to the handle to reinforce the head. The head of the lute is usually made with a lightweight, heat resistant metal, as asphalt must be applied hot, usually at temperatures in excess of 300°F (204°C). The overall length of an asphalt lute ranges from about 54 to 65 inches (1.3 to 1.65 meters), depending on the manufacturer. It is also common for an asphalt lute to have hand grips to ease the use of the tool. To use an asphalt lute, you must of course have asphalt. Holding the tool by the handle, use the head to push the pile of asphalt forward and then pull it back. By pushing a large amou
