Road Compactor attachment

[E/S]

I do some road building and grading, I would really like to compact my work without having to own another dedicated piece of equipment ( too mine engines around here all ready ).
I have a fixed tail on my box scraper and that helps, but it is tough to get good compaction.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.

E/S

 

[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.

 

[RadarTech]

I did a google search for this some time ago.. and I did not find a thing..

I wonder if one exists?

 

[RoyJackson]

Why not use a roller? Filled with water (or another liquid), seem like that would work well.
However, if your road has a crown, a roller probably won't work.

 

[E/S]

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.

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

 

[E/S]

I did a google search for this some time ago.. and I did not find a thing..

I wonder if one exists?

I did the same thing and found nothing.
i know they exist, my ex neighbor had one 15 years ago.

E/S

 

[E/S]

Why not use a roller? Filled with water (or another liquid), seem like that would work well.
However, if your road has a crown, a roller probably won't work.

The one I saw was 3 rollers, filled with water and staggered to cover approximately 10'.

E/S

 

[mas1237]

About 5 yrs ago I was looking for a roller and started watching Ebay. After 6 months, I bid on one that was only located 100 miles from my parents farm and got it for $100. Of course, it cost me $400 to transport it to my parents farm. I dismantled and removed the front roller and welded on a lunette pin hitch. The following year I cut off the back end of the roller and using an old cornpicker frame my father had, made a hitch for the larger rear roller. I then turned around and sold the remaining hulk (center portion and engine) for scrap for $100.

 

[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

But it is cheap compared to anything else you will come up with, and does the job very well. A roller will not do it near as well.

 

[wolfpack2]

Is this what you are looking for?

Vibratory-roller pull-type-PTO or Dieselengine - PÖMA - English Version

I don't know anything about them, but found them searching in Google for a larger roller for the lawn. They are located in Germany so good luck.


I also found some smaller rollers here:

Hoelscher Commercial Products

 

[travis potter]

I was given a home made roler. 20 in pipe welded ends with car front spindles welded on and pipe frame for the pull type hitch. I don't know how he did it but it is filed with cement. I had fun getting it the 3 miles home. It,s 8 ft wide I just hooked it to the back of my truck and went slow. It is too wide to do a good job on the road with the crown but it works it would be better if it were only 4 or 5 ft wide. hope this helps.

 

[E/S]

Thanks Wolfpack, the smaller version is the kind of implement I am looking for.

E/S

 

[jenkinsph]

E/S,
I like the smaller one too, just need one to fill in the space between your rear tires with a small overlap. If the roller is too wide it is hard to maintain good contact.

 

[E/S]

Thanks for all the input.
I am currently looking for some large diameter pipe to make my own, any ideas?

 

[jenkinsph]

How about an old propane tank? The rounded ends should reduce the marking in turns. Propane tanks are not to hard to find, best if you can find one with bungs on the ends to fasten to.

 

[Big Bri]

Thanks for all the input.
I am currently looking for some large diameter pipe to make my own, any ideas?

i'm copying this one, i think he did nice job on it.

good luck

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/138884-rolling-compactor-project.html

 

[beenthere]

If you make a big roller, then consider building it with brakes (the person in the link did not do that, and wonder how he managed?).
I have a 700 pound roller, and when it wants to start pushing you downhill, you better stay ahead of it and not get out of line. The roller will keep going. I pull it with the lawn tractor.

(And it will NOT pack loose gravel like one thinks it should, as it just rides on top)

 

[E/S]

How about an old propane tank? The rounded ends should reduce the marking in turns. Propane tanks are not to hard to find, best if you can find one with bungs on the ends to fasten to.

I am thinking about that, just a little spoookey about cutting / welding on it.

E/S

 

[E/S]

i'm copying this one, i think he did nice job on it.

good luck

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/138884-rolling-compactor-project.html

Thanks, looks good.
I wonder how well it worked out?

E/S

 

[E/S]

If you make a big roller, then consider building it with brakes (the person in the link did not do that, and wonder how he managed?).
I have a 700 pound roller, and when it wants to start pushing you downhill, you better stay ahead of it and not get out of line. The roller will keep going. I pull it with the lawn tractor.

(And it will NOT pack loose gravel like one thinks it should, as it just rides on top)

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 ).