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Case gives advice on the important points to consider when purchasing a compaction roller.There are a number of different brands, sizes and configurations of compaction equipment currently on the market. This can make it difficult when making the purchasing decision. Case has provided us with eight useful points to consider:
- Soil compaction – smooth drum or pad-foot drum: Generally, more granular materials such as sands and gravels require smooth drums. More cohesive materials such as clays require pad-foots.
- Drum size: Bigger drum sizes are often preferred as they can complete the job quicker. However smaller drums may be able to do the same work in the same number of passes, but minimising overlap and preventing over-compaction.
- Weight: Soil compaction to greater depths generally requires heavier machines. However using heavy machines on shallow lifts can over-compact.
- Water tank size: When compacting asphalt, the water tank should be sufficiently large that the compaction equipment can run all day without having to stop to refill.
- Look for crab offset: When compacting asphalt, the offset allows an overlap of up to 15 cm (6 in) to bind the two passes together.
- Compaction meters: These measure the amount of rebound at each drum as they go over an area. This allows the operator to know when full compaction is reached.
- Serviceability: Like most specialist equipment, the machine is only as good as its backup. Spare parts must be available and the servicing location must be convenient.
- Easy operation and comfort: The operator should have a good view of the drums. Because the operator sits in the machine all day, the seat should be adjustable to suite each person and allow forward and backward operation. Fingertip controls allow quick adjustment of amplitude and frequencies while moving.