A broad variety of different rollers are available for use in asphalt compaction. In addition to their weight and drum width, the heavyweight road building machines differ in the way they are steered, as well as in their different compaction systems.
Single-drum compactors are used mainly in earth compaction. The smooth or padfoot drums of single-drum compactors can be equipped with dynamic compaction systems, such as vibration or VIO. Hammtronic, the intelligent machine management system from Hamm, ensures continuous traction control and optimizes the roller’s travel drive systems. As a result, single-drum compactors from Hamm equipped with Hammtronic are capable of mastering gradients of up to 70% with superior ease. A three-point articulation ensures exceptionally good all-terrain mobility.
Tandem rollers are used in asphalt compaction. They are equipped with two roller drums and hydrostatic travel and vibration drive. The drums are equipped with a dynamic compaction system, such as oscillation or vibration. A distinctive feature of tandem rollers is their crab steering capability, which involves shifting of the rear drum to the left or right. The resulting overlap increases the rollers’ working width; rollers from Hamm are capable of achieving up to 100%. Tandem rollers are also characterized by the way they are steered. With articulated rollers, the articulation is positioned in the central part of the machine. Rollers with all-wheel steering, on the other hand, have two pivot points that enable separate steering of each drum or steering of both drums in the opposite direction (analogous steering).
Pneumatic tyred rollers are used for compaction of asphalt base, asphalt binder and asphalt surface courses. They are also highly suitable for final compaction of gravel layers, stabilized soils or cold recycled road pavements. Pneumatic tyred rollers are static rollers, meaning that they compact by means of their own weight, although they additionally use the kneading effect generated by tyre deformation. The combination of horizontal and vertical forces produces a kneading effect that achieves an excellent pore seal. Their depth of penetration depends on wheel load, tyre pressure and working speed.
Combination rollers are used mainly in asphalt compaction. They combine the advantages of dynamic compaction systems with the kneading effect achieved by pneumatic tyred rollers. Combination rollers are equipped with one oscillation or vibration drum, while the second axle is fitted with pneumatic tyres. They are equipped with either articulated or all-wheel steering. Combination rollers are superior to dynamic tandem rollers in terms of gradeability, and offer additional advantages with regard to layer adhesion and pore seal.
Static rollers compact asphalt pavements or soils solely by means of their own weight. They have a fairly low penetration but achieve excellent evenness. This effect is also achieved when tandem rollers are used for compaction without activating their dynamic compaction systems.
Related links
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