Vibration increases the soil density and the weight bearing capacity of the soil, thus preparing the surface for things like roadworks, paving or foundation works.
Roller vibrating machines, also known as vibratory rollers, generate vibrations from rotating weights in the centre of the drum. Generally, there are one or more weights rotating on a shaft, which can be changed to different sizes to adjust the amplitude of the vibration. As the roller moves, the rotation causes the drum to vibrate which forces compaction down into the soil. Most vibrating rollers will work in this way, but there are a few different types on the market to consider, including smooth drum and pad foot drum machines.
Smooth drum vibrating rollers are best suited to sites with sand, asphalt or coarse-grained soils. These machines come in single-drum or double-drum models. They are the most common type of roller you'll see on construction sites for their ability to create flat and smooth surfaces. It's important to note that if you are choosing a double-drum vibrating roller, there will be less traction than with a single-drum. This is simply because the double-drum machines lack any pneumatic tyres to keep traction during operation.
Of course, pad foot rollers also have the ability to work on sites with surfaces of sand, asphalt or gravel but they also offer more manipulative force. Thanks to the tapered pads on the roller, these machines can penetrate and compact the soil to build up the strength with more force than that of a smooth drum vibrating roller. These machines also come in single-drum and double-drum models, but the single-drum is often more popular because of the added traction from the tyres. This traction helps the machine keep constant force during compaction to create a stronger surface.
The vibration technique used for both smooth and pad foot drum roller vibrating machines are the same, so your choice will depend on your project requirements. Smooth drum roller vibrating machines are ideal for preparing surfaces for foundations or roadworks, while a pad foot drum roller is better for projects that require compaction at greater depths.
Make sure you know your project requirements before you decide on the vibrating roller for you, or speak to local dealers and sellers to get a better idea of the functionality of these machines.
