Road Compactor attachment

[rus_geek]

There is always discussion about driving over gravel to provide better compaction than a steel drum roller, but I haven't seen anyone build a compact-tractor-sized tire roller. Any reason for this? Every farm auction I've been to has a mountain of old tires, and you could foam or concrete fill the tires, so they don't even need to hold air. Anyone try it?

-rus-

 

[Jeff244]

I am looking at about 2000# in 8' wide, I don't think that will cause me pushing problems and will compact the gravel ( I HOPE ).

A static roller 8' wide and only weighing 2000# will not do a good job compacting gravel. Notice how the description of the roller from Hoelscher Equipment says it's "suitable for rolling pastures and fields" it mentions construction, but not stone compaction. I am not an engineer, but I would guess that at 8' wide it would need to weigh at least 3 to 4 tons to do any good. Just my opinion.

I did the same thing as mas1237 but mine looks a little smaller. It's 48" wide and about 40" tall. It weighs approx. 3500 lbs. and does a decent job compacting gravel. I pull it with a 65 hp. 4wd tractor.

Good Luck,
Jeff

 

[beenthere]

Best compactor I've found is the tires of the vehicle.
After loosening the gravel (assuming that is what you are talking about) and spreading the gravel, then driving on it right away and before any of the fines dry out - - is the best and cheapest compactor.

This is still the best way to get the job done, and is the cheapest on top of being the best compactor. You simply won't beat it with any roller proposed.

 

[E/S]

OK, I am always open to new ideas. Any ideas on where to get or how to build a tire roller?

E/S

 

[beenthere]

That is part of what I am trying to do, but covering every inch of 2 lane, 2 mile long eats too much fuel.

E/S

Let's do some math.

Vehicle has tires that cover at least 6".
2-lane road width say 16'
one pass covers 1' total.
round trip covers 2' (assume good driver and no misses )
round trip equals 4 miles.
2' covered each round trip so 8 round trips needed.

8 round trips equals 32 miles total.

Gas consumed - - - about 2-3 gallons or a fuel cost of under $10.

If figure $0.60 cents a mile, then the cost would be under $20.

Now, I'll let it go. (sorry to be a pest )

 

[jenkinsph]

beenthere,
The problem with your solution or reasoning is you are not building anything, that is just too simple.

 

[powerstroke444e]

I purchased an old 3' wide roller that has a vibrator on the rear drum and planing to set it up to pull behind the tractor and run the vibrator off the tractor hydraulics? I know the roller worked good for compaction before and this should work better and be easier to handle with just a few passes up the driveway.

 

[Jeff244]

Here's a company that has some products that might work for you:
Handy Hitch :: Off Set Hitches, Packer Roller, Packers, Rollers, construction, steel, grader, fender, agriculture

Depending on how often you need a compactor, renting one might make sense too.

You could also slip one of the loaded gravel truck drivers some cash and get them to roll it for you too.

Good luck,
Jeff