Road rollers are self-propelled compaction machines designed for soil, gravel and asphalt surfaces. Compaction is achieved either statically through the machine’s weight or dynamically through the vibrating and oscillating movements of the drum.
Variants include tandem rollers (two drums, for asphalt), rubber-tyred rollers (pneumatic tyres for initial compaction), roller trains (a smooth drum at the front, wheels at the rear, for soil compaction), foot-type rollers with rammers for cohesive soil, and hand rollers for smaller areas.
Common manufacturers include BOMAG, Hamm (Wirtgen Group), Dynapac, Caterpillar, Volvo, Sakai, Ammann, Wacker Neuson and JCB.
Road rollers are used in asphalt construction (compaction of base, binder and surface courses), in earthworks, in bridge, dam and dyke construction, in the construction of airfields, car parks and logistics hall floors, as well as in gardening and landscaping.