Dual design and performance can benefit pavement contractors of all sizes.
Compaction practices vary from contractor-to-contractor and region-to-region. Larger asphalt paving projects generally rely on some combination of double-drum vibratory and pneumatic tire rollers to complete the work. The double-drum vibratory compactor provides the brute force of compaction while the pneumatic tire roller provides varied weight through ballasting, and a kneading action that results in excellent density, fewer voids and a well-sealed finish.
The continued adoption of combi rollers — a vibratory steel drum on the front and a sequence of pneumatic tires on the back — has provided another option for paving contractors that ultimately delivers the best attributes of each standalone design. Contractors who work in residential and commercial applications may not have the capability of owning multiple rollers that provide unique benefits. A combi roller provides those residential and commercial contractors with the ability to own a single machine that provides the compaction power of a vibratory drum, and the finishing ability and density of a pneumatic tire.
Contractors who currently rely on standalone vibratory drum compactors will see an immediate benefit. The pneumatic tires knead the surface in a way that results in greater density and fewer voids. This results in a stronger product that will last longer and is less susceptible to water incursion and the effects of it freezing, expanding and thawing.
Large-frame combi rollers provide the benefit of high-frequency steel drum compaction. This allows for greater control of compaction performance based on the type of surface being compacted, and the thickness and density requirements of each lift. This, followed by the finish of a pneumatic tire, allows for paving projects to be completed faster and in fewer total passes.
Combi rollers provide fleet owners an opportunity to simplify their fleet outlay. While every contractor is different (large-scale highway contractors will always rely on the multi-unit setup, for instance) some will be able to swap out multiple standalone units and standardize on a combi roller, ultimately resulting in lower carrying costs, greater simplicity in transporting equipment to jobsites, and a lower total cost of ownership for that asset.
Combi rollers ultimately provide contractors with a great opportunity to increase productivity, make fewer passes over the finished product, and achieve greater densities and quality compared to standalone units. Contractors who work in residential construction and commercial development should explore these options before making their next compaction purchase. Source