Underground Construction - August 2022 - 23

Compaction roller attachments can increase the efficiency and versatility
of a contractor's existing fleet by allowing crews to work on a variety of
road construction and utility repair projects, all with the equipment they
are already familiar with. (Image courtesy of Road Widener)
pact material from flat ground using the compaction attachment
- allowing for safe work at virtually any angle.
Safety is in the design
This new approach to compaction is achieved by relocating the
drum to a remote-controlled offset arm that can be attached to
almost any grader, compact track loader, wheel loader or skid
steer - immediately solving the safety issue. By employing an
attachment, the host machine provides a separate source of
power for the compaction drum and, thanks to the offset arm,
enhances stability and safety for the operator.
With its offset position, the drum can pivot up to 30 degrees
and reach 30 inches below the mounting point. The host machine
can drive safely on flat ground while the attachment arm
extends to the furthest, steepest edge of sloping road shoulders
and ditches. This allows the roller to easily compact slopes at
various angles that would flip a traditional compaction machine.
The increased safety offered by the offset roller design reduces
workers comp claims, lowers insurance premiums and
enhances a contractor's overall safety ratings - a key factor for
contractors in a competitive bidding environment.
Further, shifting the drum to an offset arm attachment
doesn't just drastically improve safety, it also unlocks a host of
other benefits.
sideration for most contractors, prompting manufacturers in
all segments to focus on innovations to eliminate that danger.
Compaction equipment is a prime example of a potentially
problematic design, especially on uneven or side-sloped
surfaces. It is not uncommon for road construction crews to
witness a silent rollover, watching their crewmember jump to
safety when the equipment they are operating unexpectedly
gives way to gravity while compacting a steep slope.
Many ride-on compaction rollers often succumb to rollover
accidents due to their rigid design and high center of gravity,
which offers little protection or stability for crew members.
Manufacturers are taking steps to eliminate this far too
common job-site incident and are doing so in the form of
an attachment paired with equipment they already own.
Featuring an offset arm, crews can safely and effectively comMaximum
capabilities in a compact package
Although safety is the top priority on any job site, the efficiency
and quality of a job, along with equipment versatility, also prove
critical.The attachments effectively compact a range of materials,
from gravel, stone and topsoil to even hot asphalt mix.
With the high infrastructure demand and scarce, inexperienced
workforce, ease of use - in terms of equipment - is key
to a project's overall efficiency. Some offset compaction attachments
incorporate remote controls, combining safety with an
intuitive operation that is easy to learn, and allows the operator
to adjust the height, angle, extension and compaction adjustments
all from the comfort of the host machine's cab.
While a compaction roller attachment may not achieve density
as quickly as a ride-on roller on a flat roadway, it excels in a
sloping ditch or trench, which places an operator in a hazardous
position. Because of the rigid design of traditional compaction
rollers, and the stability issues working on a slope, operators tend
to drive at a slower rate, resulting in a slower compaction rate.
Alternatively, the offset compaction roller attachment allows
an average vibratory density of 106.5 pounds per cubic foot in
just one pass on a typical gravel shoulder.
Efficiency is not only seen through the work on the job but
also by reduced transportation challenges. The compact design
of compaction attachments allows them to fit on any common
trailer along with the host machine - and other core attachUCONonline.com
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Underground Construction - August 2022

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