It’s not unusual to see road rollers in construction sites but did you know that they’re used in other industries too? Road rollers or compactors are an invaluable part of the construction, agriculture, and waste management industry.
In any construction project, the ground’s compression is essential to its success. Uncompacted ground can lead to foundational laying disasters, road construction failure, and costly repairs. However, not all rollers are built the same. Some are hand-operated while others are propelled by powerful engines. Each road roller type has its set application. For you to be successful in your project, you’ll need to identify which roller you need to use.
In this article, we’ll help you gain a deeper understanding of what road rollers are and the different types available on the market.
What is a Road Roller?
Road roller compactors are heavy machines that are built to level the ground and eliminate air pockets that can endanger a project. This type of equipment applies pressure to the surface forcing these aggregates to compress thus leaving a stable surface.
These machines are equipped with a powerful diesel or gasoline engine to enable them to freely maneuver through difficult terrain.
You can expect rollers to weigh between 45 kilos to 20 tons.
Where are Road Rollers Used?
You may think that road rollers are only used in construction sites to ready the ground for foundation laying but, did you know that other industries have added this heavy machine to their fleet of equipment?
Here are some of the other industries that benefit from road rollers.
Agriculture
Agriculturists benefit from road rollers greatly. This industry doesn’t just use road rollers to flatten the earth to create seedbeds but, they also use it to break apart chunks of soil.
Waste Management
The waste management industry uses road rollers in their landfills. Landfills or scrapyards tend to have a large amount of waste accumulating in them, some large and some small.
To maximize the space in these areas, landfills use the compacting ability of road rollers to flatten the land. The flattened land will then be used to store more items.
Mining
The mining industry recently adopted compactors into their process because of their ability to create stable pathways. These stable pathways enable the safe and easy transportation of materials, equipment, and personnel around the worksite.
Additionally, due to the stable terrain, vehicles are less likely to get damaged and the longevity of tires also increases.
Construction
The construction industry is one of the biggest users of this tool. Road rollers are one of the most critical heavy equipment used in road construction and surface preparation.
Compactors are key to lessening air pockets on the ground and ensuring that the surface is compact enough to withstand heavy weights such as structures and vehicles.
What are the Types of Road Rollers?
Now that you’ve seen that road rollers have a wide range of applications, it’s time for you to know more about the different types of compactors.
As we’ve mentioned above, not all road rollers are built the same. Each type has its application. Listed below are the types of road rollers and their applications.
Cylindrical Rollers
A basic type of road roller, cylindrical rollers are one lightweight compared to other types. This type of compactor is pushed by a person to level surfaces in small projects like gardens.
Cylindrical rollers will be 1 meter in diameter.
Grid Rollers
Grid rollers have rollers that have a lattice of steel bars creating a grid on the drum. Some of these rollers may also be ballasted to increase pressure on the surface.
This type of roller is best suited for coarse surfaces and for sub-base of road construction projects.
Pneumatic Rollers
Another type of roller is the pneumatic roller. This type of roller requires a driver to operate it from its cab and it has multiple rows of tires on the machine. These rubber tires increase the unit’s coverage area up to 80% and it also exerts even pressure on the workspace.
This roller is best used for the finishing touches on a project.
Static Rollers
There are two types of static rollers available: tandem or double drum and three-wheeled or single drum.
The tandem has two drums equipped on the roller. This allows the roller to finish tasks efficiently. They’re best used to flatten surfaces like asphalt.
Single drum rollers on the other hand are best for preparing the ground for smaller projects such as buildings, houses, and sidewalks.
Vibratory Rollers
Like static rollers, vibratory rollers look the same. However, vibratory rollers have a specialized vibrating movement as it flattens the surface.
This type of roller is best used for keeping the structural integrity of your construction projects. It can also be used for agricultural and mining applications because it can break rocks, large soil chunks, and gravel.
Tamping Rollers
Tamping rollers or sheepsfoot have rectangular shapes protruding from the drum roller. The unique build of this roller makes it perfect for compacting soil, damp sand, and clay.
Purchasing a Road Roller with Topspot
We hope that you learned all you need to know about road rollers. If you’re still not sure which one to get for your operations, you can count on us at Topspot to guide you in purchasing one for your company.
Contact us today to get started on purchasing a road roller!
Contact Us
Learn more about Volvo Excavators by talking to one of our team members. We’ll give you all the information you need to allow you to make the perfect decision for your firm.
