Compaction Rollers - How they work and how to operate one (a detailed checklist to get you started)
Looking at hiring a compaction roller for your next job? There’s a lot to consider with many different roller options to explore – to make the process an easy one, the Conplant team is here to help you through it.
In this handy guide, we are giving you a rundown of what a compaction roller does and how to get started in the safest possible way. Our simple guide has all the best tips and tricks so that you have the expert knowledge needed to get the best gear for your job.
Ready to get rolling on your next project? To help you begin, we’ve put together a Roller Operation Prestart Checklist that you can access and share with your team.
So, what is a compaction roller
Quite simply, a compaction roller is a piece of heavy machinery that does much of the groundwork for you. It compresses soil, asphalt, clay, and other granular elements to remove air voids that could compromise robust load-bearing capacity and also provides a smooth and flat surface. No matter what you’re constructing, from a driveway to a skyscraper, a compaction roller can:
- Reduce granular settling and shrinkage over time.
- Ensure a reduction in water seepage.
- Reduce swelling and contraction.
- Make your surface stable for foundational work.
Once you’ve identified the need to purchase or hire a compaction roller for your job, the next step is to begin the search for the right roller so that you get the best results for the task at hand. And once decided, you’ll need to know how to operate your new machinery, beginning with a pre-start process that’s detailed in our complete roller checklist below.
The Different Kinds of Rollers
When it comes to compaction work, it’s not a one size fits all situation, there are a slew of different kinds of rollers to consider. Whether you are using a road roller to create the suburb’s newest street or you are constructing the next high-rise, choosing the right compaction equipment for your job is an essential step for getting the best results.
To ensure you choose the best roller for your task, there are a wide range of factors to consider:
- The nature, size, and location of the job.
- Distance and accessibility.
- The deadline.
- Type of material to be compacted i.e soil, asphalt or clay.
- Volume and depth of compaction.
- The desired finish on the project.
Choosing the best compaction roller is key to fast-tracking results and exceeding expectations with a compacted surface with optimal load bearing capacity and a stunning finish. Ideally, both choosing the right roller and understanding to operate a compaction roller in the most effective way should minimise the number of passes needed. This forward planning helps in reducing both fuel requirements and the time it takes to complete the job.
Rolling into Perfection: A Guide to Choosing the Right Roller
Tandem rollers are optimal for most general civil applications, road construction projects, parking lots and driveways.
Static three point rollers usually prove to be the right gear for residential areas close to sensitive areas, buildings, or bridges, where vibrations can be potentially hazardous, and are well suited for proof rolling.
Smooth drum rollers give you a great finish on mixed or graded granular material like bases, sub-bases, and non-cohesive soils.
Padfoot rollers are ideal for working with clay/cohesive soils and other materials in preparation with the sub-base.
Combination rollers are well suited for paving and footpath applications and leave you with a great finish on asphalt compounds and other mixed granular materials.
Multi-tyre rollers are a go-to for compacting and finishing off asphalt. They are also well suited to maintain and compact unpaved roads and mixed soils.
Trench rollers are perfect for pipework, utility, and all general small-scale compaction projects with cohesive and semi-cohesive soils.
Pairing the right roller with the right environmental conditions is crucial.
If you’re dealing with a steep slope (gradient), you might need something smaller, whereas a land slope might require a nimble or remote-controlled roller to nail the task.
Once you’ve settled on the best roller for the job, calling Conplant to order it is the next point of business! An expert can further help you with the selection process and give winning advice for getting the best out of your gear, while avoiding nasty surprises, job blowouts, or worse.
Still unsure which is the right roller for your next job? Our sales team is ready to talk you through all the particulars of our compaction roller catalogue and walk you through the process of buying or hiring a roller, and of course, also how to operate one in the most efficient way.
How to Operate Compaction Rollers
Once your roller has been delivered to your construction site, it’s not as simple as jumping in, click clack, and off you go. There are lots of boxes to check before you get rolling. A key part of how to operate a compaction roller is the pre-start checklist, which is an essential part of operating your compaction roller in the safest way possible. Without a pre-start check, there are a myriad of factors that could seriously mess with your progress. A pre-start check ensures you:
- Keep you and your team safe at all times, avoiding any potential emergency situations.
- Avoid any delay times with equipment failure.
- Identify parts that might need maintenance or replacement.
- Avoid overheating.
- Maximise the service life of a roller.
Put simply, a pre-start check is a quick review of the roller you are about to use, ensuring that you can complete your job efficiently and safely the very first time. The last thing you want is an incident that puts you and your team behind the eight ball, or compromises yours or anyone else’s safety onsite.
Better Site Safety with a Pre-Start Check
A pre-start check involves inspecting your equipment before use, so any flaws or defects can be detected early and eradicated. Factors like overheating or faulty parts that need to be repaired or replaced can be nullified there and then. This avoids potential mechanical failures or a breakdown of equipment that hurts productivity or can potentially create a site hazard.
Pre-start checklists are provided with all Conplant hired equipment, however if you own your own gear you should take a look at your operator manual for specifics relating to your piece of construction machinery.
What is in a Pre-Start Checklist?
A pre-start checklist includes elements like a visual inspection. operational checks, and attachment/site-specific checks. The Conplant pre-start checklist is a guide that gives you a template to use to conduct your pre-start check. A good pre-start checklist includes factors like:
- The general condition of the equipment (clean, no obvious damage)
- Hydraulic oil and fuel levels are acceptable
- The battery is in good condition with no obvious corrosion
- Lights and indicators are working
- Seats and seatbelts are present and in good working order
- Start-up procedures are operating well with no unusual noises
- Brakes are in good working order
- Controls and levers are all properly functioning
- Fire extinguishers are on-site and in working order
- Site inductions have been completed
- Any site risks have been noted
When completing pre-start checks, it is important to ensure you refer to your user manual and go through the complete pre-start checklist procedure provided by Conplant or your respective supplier.
Get our Comprehensive Prestart Checklist Now!
Conplant supplies some of the highest quality compaction rollers in Australia, but to maximise effectiveness, they need to be paired with pristine safety protocols. That’s why we pulled together an all-encompassing Compaction Roller Operation Checklist. Ideally, before each session on a roller, you’ll make time to run through and check off every box, so that your roller is deemed as ready as you are to smash the task at hand with the utmost efficiency. Download our checklist or read on for more details of how to get started with your roller.
Starting and Setting up the Roller
When you first start using your new equipment, there are some key factors to consider, after you have completed the pre-start checklist, that can get you rolling to perfection in no time. Some things include:
- Ensure the work area is clear of obstacles and personnel
- Start the engine and allow it to warm up
- Adjust settings (eh. vibration frequency, speed) cased on material and project needs. Always follow site rules and keep in mind that, for some jobs, using the vibration setting won’t be appropriate.
Operating the Compaction Roller
When learning how to operate a compaction roller, there are some good general strategies to keep in mind to ensure you are getting the most out of your machinery and, of course, are helping to prioritize site safety and efficiency.
- Drive slowly and steadily in straight lines for even compaction
- Overlap passes slightly to avoid gaps in coverage (In general, it is recommended to make overlaps of between 30 and 50%)
- Use vibration (if applicable) for deeper compaction, adjusting as needed. Keep in mind, however, to only use vibration settings when the compactor is moving
- Monitor the surface for signs of over-compaction or unevenness.
Shutting Down and Post-Operation
Once the day is done, there are some further considerations to keep in mind when it comes to shutting down your roller and keeping it in tip-top shape.
- Turn off vibration and allow the roller to idle briefly before shutting down
- Park on a flat, stable surface and engage the parking brake
- Clean the roller and perform basic maintenance (e.g. remove debris from the drums(s))
Frequently Asked Questions
The process behind how a compaction roller works is relatively simple. The heavy weight of the roller drum compresses soil, gravel, or asphalt. This compression helps to reduce air gaps in the ground material, which can improve stability and density, and can also help to create a smooth ground surface.
As always, it is important to consider safety first when operating any heavy machinery. Completing your pre-start checklist, including checking your fuel tank is full and controls are in working order, are an important step at the beginning.
When operating a compaction roller, always take turns slowly and with a wide berth to maintain control and safe operation of your equipment. If working on a gradient, always take extra care, and ensure you are following site rules at all times.
Get our comprehensive Checklist now
Please enter your details below for the complete checklist to be sent directly to your inbox. With this checklist in tow, you can be confident in knowing that every measure has been taken to ensure a safe and successful compaction session on a Conplant Roller.
