Although they’re not recognized as much as other forms of equipment the value of a road roller cannot be stressed enough. Having strong and stable foundations is key to any lasting project.
The interesting thing about rollers is that in order to be more effective they must be heavier. More weight causes more compaction. While this may seem obvious, it did set limitations to the machine in the past. Horses, for example, couldn’t pull a really heavy roller. The compaction ability of this first roller limited its use.
When steam engines became more common, rollers could get heavier. Their applications expanded beyond farmland and were seen in road construction. As vehicles got heavier and stronger, the weight of rollers could increase. Today, rollers can weigh anywhere between 1 and 20 tons. 20 tons is the weight of about 3 and a half elephants.
Padfood or Sheepsfoot Rollers
While most drum rollers are smooth there is a specialty type of roller that is not. A Padfoot or sheepsfoot roller has a variety of parts that jut out of the roller, creating a checkered pattern of compression points. The extra space to push down helps to compact soil and dirt much more than a smooth drum dows. It helps to stop the soil from displacing when put under pressure so that material is truly pushed down and together.
Padfoot rollers are popular for compacting fine-grain soil or for fortifying a fountain at a higher level than a smooth drum roller.
