Compaction is the first step in any major construction job. The removal of air pockets is essential if you want stable soil, better load-bearing capacity, lower soil shrinkage and settling, less swelling, water seepage, and contraction.
Types of rollers
A roller allows you to compact efficiently. It will enable you to complete a job with only minor passes and overlap. You may need a smaller compactor type for confined or narrow areas like a footpath. Double drum pedestrian rollers do a better job there. But for larger projects, rollers like pneumatic tyre rollers are ideal.
How to choose a roller
Think about your site specifications
The appropriate compactor for the job varies between different job sites. The first thing to think about is how much space you have. A project site with plenty of space allows you to bring in a larger unit that accomplishes more in less time, while less room requires a roller that can do a more precise job. On top of this, steep or uneven terrain may require a compactor that can function at an angle.
Know your soil type
There are two main types of compactable soil: cohesive and granular. Cohesive soil has tiny slits and clays bound together, while granular soil is anything from fine sand to medium gravel.
If you recognise the soil in your job site, you’ll understand how best to compact it – different compacting equipment and rollers work better on different soil variations. But in general, cohesive soils need impactful force, while granular soil only requires vibratory compaction.
Pick the right type
There is a wide variety of compaction rollers out there, all with different ways of packing the soil. The type of compactor you’ll need will depend on, as mentioned previously, your job site’s soil type, as well as the density and depth you want. There are three main types of compaction roller:
- Impact: These rollers use either rectangular, triangular, or pentagonal pads to drive into the soil with force, resulting in deep compaction
- Static: This type of roller uses its weight to compress the soil
- Vibratory: These rollers harness vibrations to shake soil clumps apart, as well as employ friction to allow soil particles to fall close together
Roller hire options at SPH
Here at Solution Plant Hire, we have a range of 11 rollers of various sizes and specifications:
Trench Roller
Our trench roller is a small, manoeuvrable option with an articulated joint and low centre of gravity. Available at 560 mm or 820 mm wide, your chosen trench roller will work great for small, complicated jobs.
2.5T SMOOTH DRUM ROLLER HIRE SPECS
Our drum roller has a central lifting hook, lateral sliding seat, and front and rear vibration and drive. It is perfect for compacting gravel, soil, asphalt or concrete up to 100mm thick.
5T PAD FOOT ROLLER
Our pad foot roller has all the bells and whistles – hydrostatic travel and vibration drive, a double pump system for travel drive, PDH tractor tires, single lever control for travel and vibration, and a compact design, making for easy transport. If this wasn’t enough, it also has amazing safety features!
7T SMOOTH DRUM ROLLER HIRE SPECS
Our drum roller also has hydrostatic travel and vibration drive, hydraulic articulated steering and single lever control. With a 66-inch drum width and ECO MODE fuel efficiency, you’ll be done in no time!
7T PAD FOOT ROLLER HIRE SPECS
This larger version of our pad foot roller has most of the same specs but with a 66-inch drum that will compact your entire site in no time!
13T SMOOTH DRUM ROLLER HIRE SPECS
Our 84-inch smooth drum roller has all the mod cons – air conditioning, a heated ROPS cab, and even a radio! See what you’re doing from all angles with the front and rear working lights and the rear view camera!
13T PAD FOOT ROLLER HIRE SPECS
The larger pad foot roller also comes with all those cab mod cons and a cutting-edge Deutz Tier 3 diesel engine.
19T SMOOTH DRUM ROLLER HIRE SPECS
This smooth drum roller, too, comes with an air-conditioned and heated ROPS cab with lights and a rear view camera but will drive around with aplomb thanks to its large tractor tires.
19T PAD FOOT ROLLER HIRE SPECS
Also known as a sheep’s foot roller, this bigger pad foot roller is excellent for sites with a large area and heavy clay. You’ll have the area ready to go in no time!
5-15T MULTI-TYRE ROLLER
Time to break out the big guns? With 9 wheels, our multi-tyre pneumatic roller can handle anything from 5200 kg up to 15000 kg. This makes this roller one of our most versatile options. Whether you have soft or slightly harder soil, the 5-15 T roller can take it.
15-25T MULTI TYRE ROLLER SPECS
This roller is good for everything. This eight-wheel multi-tyre pneumatic roller has a modular ballast system that gives it a flexible operating weight of 10 000 kg to 27 000 kg. Also, its flexible air-on-the-run capability means it works great with a variety of materials.