road roller types

The construction process involves the use of a variety of tools and equipment. While they are all intended to improve the quality of construction, their applications vary.

Road rollers are commonly used in all types of construction, from highways and airport runways to parking lots and driveways. They help compact materials used in road construction, including soil, asphalt, and concrete, to form a stable base. They are essential in road construction, structural building, and landscaping.

Road rollers consist of a power generation mechanism, usually an engine, a control unit, tires, and a weight roller. The power from the engine pushes the roller against the construction material to apply compaction force.

Road rollers come in a wide variety of types, with several types tailored for specific applications. Now, we will explore each type of road roller, their specific applications, and how to make a choice. Whether you are a construction professional, an engineering enthusiast, or just curious about BISON's machines, you can benefit from this article.

Types of rollers

Static rollers

Static rollers consist of a drum, tires, drive mechanism, engine, and controls. They rely solely on the massive weight of the drum to apply compaction force. Static rollers have fewer moving parts than other rollers, making them cheaper to purchase and maintain. Types of static rollers:

Smooth-drum rollers

Currently, this is the most common roller used in the construction industry. It consists of a smooth drum that can be mounted at the front or rear. Smooth-drum rollers have a wide range of uses, including landscaping. They are ideal for finishing asphalt surfaces and achieving smooth, even compaction. A two-drum roller is formed when two steel wheels are placed side by side on the front and rear axles. Additionally, three-drum rollers have two large rear wheels and a front roller.

Padfoot or tamping rollers

They consist of an irregularly arranged drum with pads on it. Due to the pads of the roller, the pressure applied per unit area to the compacted material is greater and the weight is reduced in proportion to the surface area. The pads cover most of the space under the drum during compaction.

Grid rollers

Grid rollers are usually mounted behind a vehicle but can also be mounted on trucks or specially designed vehicles. They are used where high contact pressure with the material is required. The rollers on the rollers are attached to steel bars that form a grid, hence the name. Grid rollers are suitable for compacting well-graded coarse soils and weathered rock.

Vibratory rollers

Vibratory rollers combine weight with rapid vibration to achieve compaction. This type of roller has suspended weights mounted inside each roller. When activated, the weights vibrate at a controlled frequency. The vibrations are transmitted to the material under the rollers and compact it. Vibratory rollers are more effective for cohesive soils because they remove air pockets faster than static rollers. The degree of vibration can be adjusted depending on the desired compaction results or the working environment. However, if used improperly, vibratory rollers can damage surrounding structures. Types of vibratory rollers

Single-drum vibratory rollers

Single-drum vibratory rollers consist of a single drum mounted to the front or rear of the cab. Pneumatic tires are also installed inside the cab to ensure stability and navigation. This type of roller features a single drum design that allows for efficient compaction over a large surface area, making it an ideal tool for achieving maximum density in road construction, sidewalk projects, and similar applications. It is an essential tool for precise compaction control.

Twin-drum vibratory roller

Unlike a single-drum roller, this type of roller does not have pneumatic tires; instead, it has rollers in front and behind the cab. Because it has two rollers, a twin-drum roller provides greater compaction power, so fewer passes are required. It is commonly used for asphalt compaction on roads and highways. However, the lack of tires can make maneuvering difficult.

Pneumatic roller

Pneumatic rollers are designed for finishing work on asphalt paving. The roller is surrounded by pneumatic rubber tires as a compaction interface. The type of roller is determined by its weight. Pneumatic rubber tires prevent surface damage. Pneumatic rollers are powered by an engine and have a cab between the two tires. The most popular type has four tires in the front and four in the rear. Types of pneumatic rollers

Rubber tire rollers

One of the most popular types of pneumatic rollers is this one. It has tires on both the front and rear wheels. The flexibility of the tires allows for even pressure distribution and kneading action. Rubber tire rollers are used to smooth fully paved surfaces, effectively seal the surface and compact soil and asphalt

Grid rollers with pneumatic tires

It is a combination of a grid roller and a pneumatic roller. It has a roller with a square steel grid as the first contact with the material being pressed. This type of roller is equipped with pneumatic rubber tires at the rear to smooth the road surface. These rollers are mainly used to overcome the problem of insufficient compaction of asphalt pavement.

Specialized rollers

These rollers are used to perform tasks that ordinary rollers cannot accomplish.

• Earth rollers: Heavy machines designed specifically for compacting soil, gravel, and other aggregates. Usually, a sheepsfoot roller is used for deep compaction in cohesive soils.

• Asphalt rollers: Specialized for compacting hot mix asphalt. Includes features like a sprinkler system to prevent material from sticking to the roller, and an edge cutting feature.

• Chip spreader: Typically, a static smooth roller with an additional compartment for storing and spreading the chippings. The chip container is mounted on the front. Once the chip is on the ground, the roller compacts it.

Considerations for selecting a roller

Choosing a roller based on project requirements not only improves the quality of work, but also maximizes productivity and minimizes costs. Here are the key factors to consider:

Soil conditions

The type of soil or material to be compacted significantly affects the type of roller required. Different materials require specific roller types to achieve optimal compaction density.

• Granular soils (e.g. sand, gravel): Vibratory rollers are ideal because their vibrations help to settle and compact the particles. Single or double drum vibratory rollers are typically used.

• Cohesive soils (e.g. clay, silt): Cohesive soils have high water and air retention. Sheepfoot rollers (pad-foot rollers) are best used. Their protruding feet penetrate and knead the soil, enhancing compaction.

• Asphalt: Smooth drum rollers or pneumatic tire rollers are typically used. Smooth drum rollers ensure a smooth surface, while pneumatic rollers provide even pressure distribution to avoid surface defects.

Project size and scope

The size of the project determines the size, capacity, and type of roller required.

• Large projects (e.g., highways, airports): require larger, high-capacity rollers with wider drum widths and higher operating weights for efficient coverage and deep compaction.

• Small projects (e.g., parking lots, driveways): Small rollers with narrower drums and lower operating weights are easier to operate and more cost-effective.

Example: A large airport runway project would benefit from a heavy-duty, twin-drum vibratory roller to quickly cover a large area. However, twin-drum rollers are less maneuverable and cannot be used on steep slopes or tight turns. So a residential driveway project may only require a smaller, single-drum roller for precision and cost-effectiveness. Time-sensitive projects may require a roller with higher operating speeds and features that increase efficiency

Functional requirements and specifications

Specific project requirements determine the necessary features and performance specifications of the roller.

• Depth of compaction: Deeper compaction requires higher amplitudes and drum weights, which are often found on large infrastructure projects.

• Surface finish: Smooth drum rollers or pneumatic tire rollers provide a better surface finish, which is critical for the final asphalt layer.

• Heat: An asphalt roller with a drum cooling system and sprinklers is essential to prevent asphalt from sticking to the drum.

Conclusion

In this article, BISON explores the various types of rollers, including static rollers, vibratory rollers, pneumatic rollers, and some specialized rollers. Each type plays a different role in construction to help you make your choice.

As China's leading professional road roller manufacturer, BISON is committed to providing high-quality machines. Whether you are working on a small community project or a large infrastructure development, our roller range is designed to provide excellent performance and durability. We also incorporate automation, environmentally friendly design, and advanced compaction technology into our products. These innovations are designed to improve precision, reduce environmental impact, and increase overall productivity in the construction industry.

Explore our roller products and work with us to ensure your construction project is equipped with the best roller.

Some questions about road roller

What is the difference between a vibratory and a road roller?

Road rollers consist of front and rear roller units with hydraulic drive systems. Vibratory road rollers have vibrating drums with compacting capabilities comparable to larger rollers.

What type of road roller is best for asphalt?

A double drum roller is commonly used for asphalt because it compacts the surface evenly from both the front and back sides, giving a smooth finish.

What are the advantages of a pneumatic roller?

Pneumatic rollers offer better compaction due to their flexibility. The tires can adjust to uneven surfaces, providing uniform compaction, and the tires' kneading action increases surface smoothness.