Vibratory Road Rollers Explained
What do you need to know about vibratory road rollers?
- How it works
- Characteristics of vibratory road rollers
Road rollers are important heavy construction equipment that can do a number of tasks for your construction project. There are different types of road rollers that can apply to many projects, be it for construction or agricultural purposes. Road rollers can compact a variety of materials like soil, gravel, concrete, and asphalt. Not many are informed about vibratory road rollers and hopefully, this brief article can shed some light on the core features of vibratory rollers.
How It Works
Compaction requires consistency and road rollers are able to provide the smoothest surface when used properly. If the compaction process is inconsistent, there’s a risk of producing an irregular surface. This is a subpar job, which isn’t the optimal result for any construction project. When the road surface is irregular, this can be prone to deterioration and uneven wear and tear. The characteristics of a good road consist of a foundation of large stones. The next layer has a binder and small stones. The final surface layer is completed with a bituminous layer. Each of these important layers is compacted and flattened by a road roller.
The road roller has a roller drum weight which is used to compress the surface to be compacted. Through the use of roller tires, the initial compression is done. The wheels of the roller have some flexibility in order to do a vertical movement. The vertical movement in the road roller enables it to maneuver on irregular surfaces. The final finish of the road is achieved through the use of the metal drums on the roller.
The road roller has two or more heavy drums with one functioning as the drive and the other functioning as the pushing force. The other drum pivots and connects to the roller body. It has a rotating function that guides the roller to its pathway. Some rollers have drum axles that move in relative motion to each other in order to adjust against surface irregularities. Road rollers consist of roller units at the front and rear with a hydraulic drive system.
Vibratory road rollers have vibrating drums that have compacting abilities that are comparable to larger rollers. The vibration of the vibratory road roller is obtained through weights that are attached to the shaft of a motor which is located within the roller drum. Like other rollers, vibratory rollers also use two drums or wheels. Both of the drums have the same diameter, length, and weight. Vibratory rollers have the ability to fully cover the area underneath the wheel. It’s more efficient compared to other road roller types when it comes to compacting. The vibration of the roller can arrange the particles and exerts direct pressure on the specific layer. When the vibratory roller is in reverse, the vibration is briefly turned off to avoid disturbing the compacted area. This roller is best used to reduce air voids and for densifying granular soil.
Characteristics of Vibratory Road Rollers
You’ll find that vibratory rollers have a smooth drum that is mostly compatible with granular materials. The rollers have weights that can range from 4 and 25 tons. Vibratory road rollers move at a speed of 6 kilometers per hour. Vibratory rollers can affect the surface between 0.30 meters and 0.80 meters. This is all dependent on the type of soil to be compacted and the brand of equipment you’re using. Vibratory rollers are used for filling layers with limited thickness. Newer technology lets operators affect deeper layers.
There are different kinds of vibratory rollers for commercial use. The single drum vibratory roller is a roller that’s suitable for compacting materials such as crushed stone, gravel, sand-macadam, rock filling, and sandy soil. This type of vibratory roller is similar to a single drum road roller with the added function of a vibratory drum.
The tandem vibratory roller is another compact vibratory roller that consists of drums with equal sizes. The small size of this vibratory roller is suitable for mending and road maintenance. This roller is compatible with sidewalks, sports grounds, garden lawns, and parking areas.
Key Takeaway
Road rollers and vibratory road rollers are essential heavy construction equipment for various purposes. Even if vibratory rollers are similar to road rollers, there are still key differences to remember. Vibratory rollers are great for a variety of construction and maintenance projects. With this information, you can find the right roller for your next project.
