Equipment World Digital Magazine
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rentsmart | continued What kind of work will you be doing? Soil compaction jobs can include base compaction, slopes and trench work (which may call for a radio remote trench roller). Asphalt work includes everything from golf paths to parking lots to roads. The job at hand will have an impact on the size and type of compactor rented. For example, if you're putting in a small driveway, usually a roller with a 36- to 48-inch double drum vibratory roller drum will do, Dennison says. Small, utility size compactors are well suited for light asphalt work and thin base aggregate lifts, according to Caterpillar Paving Products. Cat says these size machines are less effective on soil applications because their lower amplitudes impart less energy to the soil, limiting their ability to rearrange particles and increase density. In addition, the machine weight, drum width and linear load need to be appropriate for the job at hand, according to 3 Caterpillar. And make sure the rented compactor meets any job requirements for a specific level of vibratory energy. Also note if the rental unit will have adequate horsepower for handling any tough applications or grades, says Fred Paul with Wacker Neuson. And realize there may be instances where you'll need to rely just on the roller's static weight to compact, Watt says. Examples include tender asphalt mixes or areas where vibration could damage underground pipes or surrounding structures. (See sidebar on page 41.) How big of an area are you compacting? Drum width is extremely important, says Pullen, and bigger is not always better. "There may be an assumption a wider drum will be more productive." A smaller drum may offer the best solution for getting the job done in the fewest number of passes while minimizing overlap, which helps reduce over compaction (disintegration of an area that's already reached density). 4 Features to consider Check out these compactor features when you rent, say our experts: • Dual drum amplitude and/or dual frequency outputs on vibratory models are designed to give you versatility on different materials, according to BOMAG's David Dennison. • If you're working at night, consider additional lighting packages, including rotating beacons. • The offset drum feature improves binding when compacting asphalt and provides a tighter turning radius. "Smaller double drum rollers are generally either fixed with an offset or in-line while larger double drum compactors may have the ability to adjust," says Case's Katie Pullen. A compactor that allows you to have the rollers either in-line or offset gives you an overlap of up to about 6 inches to bind the two passes together. It also helps give you a tight turning radius when compacting in confined areas such as cul-du-sacs. • A foldable ROPS can come in handy for transport, or working in areas with low overhead clearance, Cat says. • Look into renting a machine with a cab if your operators are spending all day working in high or low temps. • Extreme grades on the job? Consider a rental machine with traction control. • Compaction meters measure the rebound of the drum as it goes over an area, pointing out areas of over-compaction, Pullen says. • A machine with high curb clearance helps you work on jobsites with existing curbs or other obstacles. JCB compactors have Automatic Vibration Control, which switches vibration on and off at the appropriate time as the operator either starts or slows the compactor. Base preparation is a typical compaction job, says Wacker Neuson. Know the drum width and the centrifugal force you'll need for the job. 44 September 2013 | EquipmentWorld.com EW0913_Rentsmart.indd 44 8/27/13 3:32 PM