By Lynn Marsh, Road Widener LLC President
Safety is the highest priority on any construction site, but not every equipment solution aids in attaining that safety goal. In fact, in 2020, more than 174,100 injuries and 124 deaths occurred on construction sites throughout the United States. statistics only encompass reported cases. Many job site accidents and near misses — with potentially dire consequences — are never reported.
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 centre of gravity, which offers little protection or stability for crew members.
Certain manufacturers are taking steps to eliminate this far-too-common job site incident and are doing so in the form of an attachment pair with equipment they already own. Featuring an offset arm, crews can safely and effectively compact material from the flat ground using the compaction attachment — allowing for safe work at virtually any angle.
The 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.
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.
Maximum 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. Compaction roller attachments can increase the efficiency and versatility of a contractor’s existing fleet by allowing them to work on a variety of road construction and utility repair projects, all with the equipment they are already familiar with. 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 it to fit on any common trailer along with the host machine — and other core attachments — and be towed by a standard pickup truck. No heavy-haul trailers or permits are required.
Additionally, compaction roller attachments can offer contractors the ability to expand their application capabilities and win more bids by incorporating an adaptable system into their business model. Compaction roller attachments can be purchased in a variety of interchangeable drum widths, ranging from 2 to 4 feet, providing heightened adaptability. To get the same benefit with traditional compaction machines, contractors would have to purchase multiple self-propelled units, all with engines and transmissions that would need to be continuously maintained. This flexibility opens up more opportunities for contractors, allowing them to meet a range of job specifications without the hassle of maintaining, hauling and storing several pieces of equipment.
Minimal Maintenance
When it comes to the impact of maintenance, traditional ride-on compaction rollers have several grease fittings that need to be maintained, and they often have a buildup of debris that requires frequent cleaning. However, with compaction roller attachments, there is almost no maintenance to speak of. Without the need for an engine, powertrain or any associated parts of its own to operate, advanced offset compaction rollers require 90% less maintenance than ride-on compaction machines by cutting out traditional engine and transmission service.
Moving to Safety
In a world where so many elements are outside of our control — the supply chain, the price of fuel, inflationary costs, and more — it is more critical than ever that contractors control risk and costs wherever they can. And their equipment investment is a great place to start.
By carefully evaluating equipment selection and choosing options that maximize the capabilities of their current fleet, contractors will see an increase in the efficiency and profitability of their business while providing unparalleled safety for their crew.
