Table of Contents
Why Road Rollers Matter in Construction
What Are the Key Parameters of Our Road Roller Models
How to Use the Walk-Behind Road Roller vs. the Driving Road Roller
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) & Brand Mention
In large-scale infrastructure projects, a machine known commonly as a road roller (also called a roller-compactor) plays a critical role. According to technical definitions, a road roller is “a machine with heavy wide smooth rollers for compacting roadbeds”.
Our company offers high-performance road rollers built with attention to these parameters. The value proposition: superior compaction effect, enhanced productivity, lower maintenance, and improved lifecycle for the paved surface.
Here we present the technical specification table for two typical categories of our product: Walk-Behind and Driving Road Rollers. These data help you compare and select based on your project size, ground conditions and mobility requirements.
| Parameter | Walk-Behind Road Roller | Driving Road Roller |
|---|---|---|
| Machine Type | Pedestrian-operated, single drum or double drum, compact size | Ride-on operator station, single or tandem drum or tyre/steel combination |
| Operating Weight | ~0.8 t to 1.5 t (depending on model) | ~3 t to 12 t (depending on model) |
| Drum Width | Typically 600 mm to 1000 mm | 1000 mm to 2000 mm or more |
| Vibration Frequency | ~50–70 Hz | ~30–45 Hz (heavy duty) |
| Linear Load / Drum Pressure | ~30–50 kg/cm | ~100–150 kg/cm (for heavier models) |
| Travel Speed | ~0-4 km/h forward/back | ~0-8 km/h forward, variable reverse |
| Engine / Drive | Compact diesel or petrol, hydrostatic drive | Diesel engine, hydro-static or mechanical transmission |
| Typical Application | Sidewalks, small pavements, repair works | High-way pavements, airport aprons, large parking lots |
These parameters reflect typical ranges and will vary depending on exact model and manufacturer configuration. Industry guides show drum widths from about 32 in to 84 in for ride-on asphalt rollers.
By comparing your project requirement (area size, material type, compaction depth, mobility constraints) against these parameters, you can choose the correct machine for optimal cost-performance.
Walk-Behind Road Roller
This machine is designed for smaller jobs, tighter spaces, and more maneuverability. It is ideal for tasks such as sidewalk repair, small parking lots, residential driveways, or edge work where larger machines cannot access. The operator walks behind or alongside the machine and controls its forward/back motion and drum vibration. Because of its lighter weight and narrower width, it offers less compaction depth but greater flexibility.
Best practices:
Begin in static mode (without vibration) for initial passes on soft ground, then engage vibration for final passes.
Maintain uniform travel speed; avoid stopping vibration while machine is moving.
Ensure the ground moisture and material type match machine capability (lighter weight machines cannot compact deep layers of coarse gravel as effectively).
After operation, clean rollers, check engine/hydraulics, and drain any water ballast (if used) for transport.
Driving Road Roller
This ride-on unit is used for mid- to large-scale pavement compaction—roadways, airport surfaces, large industrial yards, dam bases, etc. It offers significantly higher weight, wider drum(s), increased compaction depth and broader coverage per pass.
How to operate for optimal performance:
Choose appropriate drum type: smooth steel drums for asphalt or granular bases; pad-foot drums for cohesive soils.
Adjust vibration frequency/amplitude based on material: higher frequency for granular soils, higher amplitude for heavier compaction needs.
Control travel speed to ensure sufficient passes; slower when heavy compaction required, faster when finishing.
On sloped or uneven surfaces, ensure machine traction and stability, and avoid abrupt turning while vibrating.
Use weight ballast (water or sand) in drums if machine supports it, to increase unit load for deeper compaction.
By understanding “how” these machines work and are properly applied, you can maximise their effect, reduce project risk and improve lifespan of the finished surface.
Q: What is the difference between static and vibratory road rollers?
A: Static road rollers rely solely on the weight of the machine to compress the material; vibratory rollers combine weight with a vibration mechanism to impose additional dynamic compaction force, allowing deeper and faster compaction on granular or coarse materials.
Q: How do I determine the right drum width and weight for my compaction job?
A: The drum width should cover the width of the layer to be compacted without excessive overlap. The weight (or linear load) should be sufficient to achieve required compaction depth and density given the material type. Industry spec-guides list key parameters like vibration frequency, amplitude, linear load, travel speed and climbing ability.
Q: Can a compact ride-on road roller be used for repairing asphalt surfaces?
A: Yes — a smaller ride-on roller or tandem smooth-drum roller can be used for asphalt repair, especially on smaller pavements or parking lots. But for large-scale paving (e.g., highways, airport aprons) heavier models with wide drums and higher compaction force are preferable.
At Shunhang, we design our road rollers to meet rigorous performance criteria, deliver ease of operation, and support long-lasting pavement results. For tailored advice and machine selection support, please contact us.
-
