9 Types of Compactors and Their Functions

Compactors are also known as road rollers. The early presence of this heavy equipment for the first time was using horsepower assistance. Only in the mid-19th century, this tool had its own power to operate. Increasingly popular in 1910, along with the development of compactor technology, the types were increasingly diverse and in great demand.

In general, the way the compactor works is the arrangement of the wheels and the shape of the wheels that are different for each compactor. In the arrangement of the wheels the guide roll is placed at the front and the drive roll on the back.

Judging from its function, the compactor is a useful machine for reducing the size of materials such as soil compaction, asphalt, granular, and paving blocks. On average, all compactors use a diesel engine.

Judging from the function and how it works, there are several types of compactors that are often used, including the following:

1. Mesh Grid Rollers

mesh grid rollers

The first type of compactor is mesh grid rollers. This compactor has a function to compact the soil that has a rough structure or shape. Suppose the land is mixed with large and small rocks that require equalization.

This is because the shape of the wheels is designed to resemble webbing like its function. With two wheels that are owned at the front and two wheels at the rear. Using this compactor is very good at getting the job done.

2. Segment Rollers

segment rollers

Compactor type segment rollers that have a function to compact soil that contains clay and wet soil. This type of compactor has wheels shaped like plates made of steel.

The wheels of this compactor have only one wheel for the front and two driving wheels for the rear.

The way this compactor works is by providing a large enough pressure area and it can enter the ground so that there is direct compression from the bottom.

3. Tandem Rollers

tandem rollers

The third type of compactor is the tandem rollers. Widely used to compact soil or asphalt layers. If there is a road repair you will often find this tandem-type compactor nearby.

The shape of the wheels is made of iron with two front and rear iron wheels. With the help of hydraulic power, this compactor moves independently by avoiding slippage during work. The shape of the wheels of the tandem rollers is smooth for the front and rear wheels.

4. Vibratory Plate Compactor

vibratory plate rollers

Vibratory plate compactor plays a role in compacting roads and paving blocks. The shape is also unique because it is directed in a manual way, held by hand in the part that has been provided. Medium size and has a smooth surface on the bottom. This type of compactor does not have wheels.

5. Pneumatic Tired Rollers

pneumatic tired rollers

The fifth type of compactor is pneumatic tired rollers. In general, this compactor is useful for the compaction of granular type materials. There are 9 to 19 wheels depending on needs.

The wheels consist of rubber wheels that are pumped in an alternating arrangement of wheels, so that when something is not crushed, the front wheels can be crushed by the rear wheels.

How pneumatic tired rollers work: the wheel will provide pressure in accordance with the amount of pressure received by the ground.

6. Three Wheel Rollers

three wheel rollers

If interpreted three-wheel rollers mean a compactor with a three-wheel roller. Useful for compacting the soil with coarse grains, this type of compactor has been around for a long time and is still in use today.

Classified as a favorite compactor, this type of compactor is often used by workers. This type of compactor also has a front wheel that connects and is slippery. As for the rear wheels, there are two separate ones with a slippery surface too.

7. Vibration Rollers

vibration rollers

As the name implies, this type of compactor has a vibration in its performance. So these vibration rollers provide vibrations that are generated from the machine to the ground using vertical forces.

After shaking the ground and gravel which were originally not solid became solid, the wheels are serrated with the front connecting together. As for the rear wheels, it consists of two large wheels.

8. Sheep Foot Type Rollers

sheep foot type rollers

Sheep foot type rollers have a function to pull the leg of the sheep that will enter into the soil layer so that the drum wall on the surface will provide temporary storage.

The size for this compactor is large with long, serrated front wheels. As for the rear wheels, it consists of two large wheels which function as the driving force of this compactor.

9. Three Axle Tandem Rollers

three axels tandem rollers

The ninth type of compactor is the three-axle tandem rollers. This compactor has three axles so it is called three-axle tandem rollers.

This type is widely used to compact the surface of the soil and material with a fine size. The three axle tandem rollers have four wheels, two front wheels and two rear wheels.

Those are some types of compactors that are most often used. In addition, each type of compactor has its own function. So you can choose one of these compactors that you need the most to get the job done.