What Is a Construction Roller?
The road roller or compactor cylinder is a piece of heavy-duty compaction machinery that can be very commonly seen on a construction site. It is used for the compaction of fine particulate materials or asphalt, creating a flat, smooth surface and getting rid of the air voids. As the first roller compactor was powered by a steam engine, in some parts of the world the roller compactors are still known as steam rollers.
A construction roller is also known as a road roller, compaction roller, or steam roller. Although these machines are not powered by steam anymore, they used to be and in some cases, the name stuck. A roller at its essence is a really heavy wheel that is used to level out and compact terrain, soil, dirt, asphalt, or any other kind of foundation or base material. There are a few different types of rollers including single and double-drum rollers.
Road rollers or compaction rollers are some of the most low-key construction machines out there. They’re not used on as many projects, and their main use is to prepare or finish foundations. This means that they aren’t as visible to the public as other types of construction equipment. That being said, a road roller is still a valuable part of many road construction and residential construction projects – just like dozers, excavators, skid steers, or any other piece of construction machinery.
Since the effectiveness of a roller depends to a large extent on its weight, self-powered vehicles replaced horse-drawn rollers from the mid-19th century. The first such vehicles were steam rollers. Single-cylinder steam rollers were generally used for base compaction and run with high engine revs with low gearing to promote bounce and vibration from the crankshaft through to the rolls in much the same way as a vibrating roller.
Why Does Compaction Matter for Construction and Foundations?
There are many different types of roller compactors, but it is all about these two general types: single drum roller compactor and double drum roller compactor. The single drum roller compactor features a large steel drum and a set of rear wheels/tracks for moving the compactor forward, while the double drum roller compactor features two large steel rolling drums, which in fact, move the machine.
The first roller wasn’t used in construction. Traditional rollers were used in farming to help break up big chunks of dirt and soil after the land was ploughed. Horses would be used to pull a solid circular roller behind them so the weight of the roller would help smooth and even out the farmland. Today, these rollers are pulled by tractors or other machines.
When steam engines became more common, rollers got get heavier. Their applications expanded beyond farmland and were seen in road construction. As vehicles got heavier and stronger, the weight of rollers increased. Today, rollers can weigh anywhere between 1 and 20 tons. 20 tons is the weight of about 3 and a half elephants.
The interesting thing about rollers is that in order to be more effective they must be heavier. More weight causes more compaction. While this may seem obvious, it did set limitations to the machine in the past. Horses, for example, couldn’t pull a really heavy roller. The compaction ability of this first roller limited its use.
The drum on the single drum roller compactor, or the drums on the double drum roller compactor, are mounted on an axle, supported by a massive frame.
Typically, each single and double drum roller compactor moves very slowly to ensure that all materials are evenly compacted and all air or water voids are eliminated. In this way, the rollers may be needed to make a few passes over the same surface. The operators should sit in the cab above their rollers for better visibility and their seat should be swivel so they are able to operate with their machines in both directions without turning entirely.
The main purpose of using a compaction road roller is to create a more solid and stable foundation for projects. If the particles of soil or asphalt are pushed together to pack them tight to each other, it reduces the chance of shifting, crumbling or sinking. For foundations, it has a huge implication on the stability of a building. In road construction, it makes the difference between the quality of roads, how they last through different seasons and the long-term fixes that will be needed.
Single Drum Construction Rollers
Single drum compaction rollers have a single large roller dum on the front and wheels at the back. The wheels on a roller machine are specially designed to be puncture resistant and to offer a good grip on smooth terrain. The rear tires make a single drum roller easier to manoeuvre and provide more traction on uneven surfaces. This roller type also has a more compact design, providing more control when working in confined areas.
Single drum compaction rollers are often used for prep work and ground levelling. They are popular machines for highway and residential road paving as well as foundation building.
The single drum roller compactor is used for doing easy compaction jobs, such as to help in grading uneven surfaces of soil. Due to its incredible manoeuvrability on uneven surfaces, it is also useful for compacting on dams, parking stations and on other types of fields. Its wheels or tracks help the roller compactor to keep the traction and easily overcome obstacles. The only disadvantage is that the single drum roller compactor is a bit heavy and in some cases might be interrupted from rolling over obstacles. The soil that needs to be compacted by a single drum roller compactor needs to be graded before using a complete grader compactor. After this procedure, the roller compactor can flatten the soil using a static force, which is being created by the weight and motion of the roller.
In general, a single drum roller can work well for a wider variety of projects. However, the front-heavy design could prevent it from rolling over some surfaces.
Although they’re not recognized as much as other forms of equipment the value of a road roller cannot be stressed enough. Having strong and stable foundations is key to any lasting project. If you are looking for the best roller for your project, rent the perfect machine on Kran.ro.
Some compactors have the added option of vibration. Within the drum is an electrically powered vibratory motor that creates pulses of mechanical motion. These pulses apply even more compaction power to a surface compared to basic drum weight driving across the area. Vibration pulses jostle the ground material to force it into open crevices and voids. As a result, the surface is more uniform, preventing future warping or cracking of the constructed surface.
On the other hand, some construction sites only use static drum compactor types, especially if the surrounding area is densely populated. Large vibrations may disturb those living in the immediate area if a vibratory drum is used. Static compactors can be constructed with heavy metal drums that use simple gravity and weight for effective compaction. The drum is often removable to allow lighter or heavier cylinders to be attached for various applications.
The self-propelled compactor cylinder is suitable both for compacting and finishing platforms, roads and for compacting the soil. This compactor cylinder is used in the construction of highways, parking lots, asphalt finishing works, road repairs, or wherever settlement and consolidation are necessary. Being very manoeuvrable, it is ideal for urban works.
With significantly higher surface coverage, this type of compactor is a serious alternative to vibrating plates.
The self-propelled compactor has high mobility, unlike the vibrating plates, the mechanical plates, the compacting plates with dynamic action.
Many road construction projects use smooth drum compactors to create flat and smooth surfaces. They are one of the most common types of road rollers available to rent.
Why Rent a Roller or Compactor?
Whether you work in landscaping, road repair or any other industry that utilizes rollers, renting is a cost-effective solution for accessing the top-quality equipment you require. When you rent a compactor from Kran, you avoid the significant capital expense of purchasing new machines while also eliminating costs relating to storage and maintenance.
Our rollers for rent are an excellent choice for businesses:
- With a one-time application or continually changing project specifications
- Needing to increase the size and capabilities of their fleet temporarily
- Replacing equipment in the shop being repaired
Road rollers are essential for those thinking about maximizing their output. Choosing the one that fits the project criteria is the key. It’s important to start with a reliable solution. With the help of a road roller for rent, it becomes easier than ever before to make sure proper results are found.
Contact Us About Compactor & Roller Rentals
Kran Rentals is a leading source of top-notch equipment rentals serving clients across Constanța and Agigea. If you’re looking to rent a compactor, we have the solution in stock at a competitive price. Our experienced team will assist in choosing the right equipment and configuring it with the tools and attachments to optimize its versatility.
Get in touch about renting rollers and compactors today! Call us or submit an online form to request additional information and a free quote.
Kran empowers projects!
November 4, 2021
