Let’s face it. No-one drives past a brand new road and thinks “wow I wonder who did the compaction here- it is amazing!”. The oversight that even road experts make is underestimating the importance of compaction equipment- including the unseeming and discreet backhoe loader.
In truth, some of the most expensive mistakes in construction occur not while paving but after paving. The surface can be flawless when it’s first laid, only to start breaking up after just a few months because of poor compaction of the underlying layers. Which is why rollers matter.
And it turns out the story of compaction isn’t just the story of rollers. The backhoe loader, walk behind roller, and concrete paver- and many more- do their work behind the scenes, creating roads, parking lots, and runways that will withstand millions of movements from vehicles, extreme weather conditions, and decades of wear and tear. Prepare for a tour of the unexpectedly exciting world of construction rollers!
There’s a Whole Lot More Going On Below Your Feet
It’s very absurd to build any surface without proper soil compaction. All buildings, including roads, warehouses, runways, and industrial yards require compacting of layers into dense and stable structure. Those invisible holes filled with tiny pockets of air under the surface turn into cracks and potholes.
Soil compaction is about removing all weak points in a foundation of construction.It’s hard to predict what soil will behave because the soil type is rarely the same even within the same region. Sand behaves differently from clay; crushed stone from asphalt. In fact, something that works great in one location could prove to be useless in another. So construction has developed different rollers to deal with different soils- for example the concrete paver.
The Smooth Drum Roller
If construction machinery had movie stars, the smooth drum roller would certainly be one of them. They are easily distinguishable with a huge steel drum, heavy weight and a single task to accomplish- roll over everything below. Such rollers are perfect on any kind of grainy surface and on asphalt. With their weight, they compress the surface, and vibrations help the grains bind to each other. What does it give? Smooth roads, solid foundations, even surfaces.
And that is the very image that comes into mind whenever the word “roller” pops up.
Padfoot Rollers
Unfortunately, not all soils are willing to play along. Case in point – clay- and quite a stubborn one at that. Attempting to compact cohesive soils by using a smooth drum roller would be similar to pressing a sponge with a frying pan.
That does work but quite ineffectively, which is where the padfoot roller comes in. The protruding elements of its drum make it easier to press the ground, effectively kneading it in the process. It may be far from glamorous as laying a highway, yet this kind of equipment is a godsend when there is a need for stable embankments or earth dams.
Pneumatic Rollers
As it often happens in construction, there is always something to deal with, and there is always someone to deal with it. Pneumatic rollers come out as a sort of specialists responsible for final touches to surfaces. Instead of steel drums they use several rubber tires that bend and deform under their own weight, making surfaces kneadable.
In this case, we could call pneumatic rollers the perfectionists of compaction. They are widely used in asphalt operations as contractors often need smooth surfaces and long-lasting pavement.
The Multitool of the Construction Site- Backhoe Loader
And now, it is time to discuss an equipment type which does not perform rolling in any way, yet ends up taking part in just about every construction project. When considering a backhoe loader for sale, you must know that it deserves its reputation as a legend due to its ability to perform just about any task on a construction site.
From excavation to loading trucks, preparing subgrade before compaction is started. Quite often, this equipment shows up on site before any rollers and leaves only when all compaction work is done. And every construction manager has his favorite machine- this one is definitely among them.
Small Spaces Need Big Solutions- Concrete Pavers
Construction worksites are not necessarily enormous highways. Sometimes workers have to squeeze between buildings, repair sidewalks, or work around utility infrastructure. It brings some problems- in that large rollers cannot always go there, and this is when the fun begins.
Few machines can demonstrate this as well as concrete pavers. Even though their name sounds quite simple, nowadays it’s a true technology in that it is laser guided, automatic controls, digital levelling system and continuous monitoring. Such a modern concrete paver can lay the material with incredible precision, which guarantees consistency in all large infrastructure works. Today more and more airports, industrial facilities, logistics centers, and urban transport corridors use paving systems.
Conclusion
Many site engineers and specially procurement staff hesitate to break the bank in buying equipment. But when considering the walk behind roller price or concrete paver cost, you must consider their individual return on investment. There is also the option to rent these equipment from a company if you need them for just a temporary basis.
Caroline Fobes