MACHINE FIELD GUIDE / DENSITY IS THE DELIVERABLE
Roller hire
Rollers compact soil, road base and asphalt to specified density. Drum type, weight and vibration must suit the material and lift thickness, and moisture control is as important as the roller itself.
FIELD PLATE / 15 PUBLISHED SUPPLIER RECORDSMatch the size class to the task, then confirm the exact unit.
Roller size classes.
| Class | Typical work |
|---|---|
| Pedestrian and trench rollers | Trenches, footpaths and confined areas. |
| Small tandem (1–4 t) | Asphalt patching, paths and car parks. |
| Smooth drum (10–15 t) | Granular base and general earthworks. |
| Padfoot (10–20 t) | Clay and cohesive fill, dam walls. |
| Multi-tyre / pneumatic | Sealing and asphalt finishing. |
COMMON USE / 01Subgrade and fill compaction
COMMON USE / 02Road base and pavement layers
COMMON USE / 03Asphalt and seal rolling
COMMON USE / 04Trench backfill
QUOTE CHECK
What to specify.
- Material type and lift thickness
- Required compaction standard and testing
- Area, width and edge conditions
- Smooth, padfoot or pneumatic drum
Watch points.
Vibration near buildings or services may need monitoring.
Rollers are unstable near edges and on crossfall.
Compaction fails without correct moisture, regardless of roller size.
Rates for roller hire vary with size, location, duration, operator arrangement and transport. Read the plant hire cost guide and the wet vs dry hire comparison before comparing quotes, and use the supplier checklist to confirm the details.
FIELD FAQ
Roller hire questions
- Smooth drum or padfoot roller?
- Padfoot (sheepsfoot) drums suit clay and cohesive soils. Smooth drums suit granular material, road base and finishing surfaces.
- Will a roller damage nearby structures?
- Vibration can affect nearby buildings, pipes and retaining walls. Use static mode or a smaller roller near sensitive structures and ask whether monitoring is required.
- How many passes are needed?
- It depends on material, moisture, lift thickness and roller. Trial sections and density testing confirm the number of passes for the specification.