The Ideal Way To Determine The Right Roller Compactor – Part 1

Construction companies depend on road compactors for ensuring the soil is in perfect condition. A basic compactor is a roller compactor. It is a heavy-duty compaction machine and can be seen at many construction sites. The roller compactor is used to compact fine particulate materials and asphalt creating a flat and smooth surface.

As there are many different types of roller compactors, there are also few factors that determine the right roller compactor for the specific compaction job – whether asphalt or soil is being compacted. Other factors are the thickness of the lifts, the application of the roller compactor, the area for compaction, the type of asphalt mix, etc. The frequency, centrifugal force and amplitude can also be considered as factors, so most roller manufacturers design road compactors of different frequencies to match various conditions. In addition, find the ideal way to determine the right roller compactor for your application.

The first thing to do when looking for soil compactor for sale, is to choose either a smooth drum or pad-foot drum roller. The type of soils you need to compact is the best way to determine which type to get. Smooth drum roller is best for sand, gravel and similar granular materials. The pad-foot roller on the other hand, is best for compacting cohesive materials, known for tendency to stick together. But contractors have yet another option – a pneumatic tire compactor. It is a compactor with two rows of tires that overlap and provide static compaction through its weight and kneading action.

Another important factor to consider is the weight of the compactor. This will help you get the desired compaction density. Not only the static weight, but also the centrifugal force that road compactors generate, helps determine the depth of compaction. For example, if you use too heavy machine on a thinner lift, you can achieve over-compaction, while a too light machine will not properly compact the area. But in some cases light machines may provide a high centrifugal force because of their high amplitude.

The weight distribution is another important factor. There are models of road compactors with the engine mounted in the rear, instead of in the front, where the water tanks is mounted. This equals the weight distribution, ensuring that the drum in front and the one in the rear carry same weight.

To be continued…