Types of Asphalt Rollers

Tandem Asphalt Rollers

• Tandem asphalt rollers, also known as double drum asphalt rollers, are used to compact asphalt on a surface once it has been laid down. The machine consists of two large barrels, often made of steel, that act as the wheels on a tractor-style machine maneuvered by a driver. Tandem asphalt rollers come in various sizes and can be used on driveways, sidewalks, streets, parking lots and industrial sites.

Pneumatic Tire Rollers

• Pneumatic tire rollers look similar to tandem asphalt rollers, except the former has a row of tires in the front and back of the vehicle instead of two steel barrels. Pneumatic tire rollers are usually made with a single row of around five tires in the front and another row of five tires in the rear. These tires can be driven over asphalt to compact it down to a desired density. According to equipment manufacturer YTO, pneumatic tire rollers are usually used in compacting asphalt on highways, airport tarmacs and municipal roads.

Vibratory Steel Wheel Rollers

• Vibratory rollers are made of steel and can be used in tandem roller vehicles. Depending on the size of the job and the density of the asphalt, using a vibratory steel wheel roller may be more effective since the machine includes vibratory drums, which add extra weight to the rollers' pressure against the ground, resulting in greater compacting. According to the University of Washington, the vibrations from a vibratory steel wheel roller "reduces friction and aggregate interlock during compaction," which allows particles to be better condensed.

Three Point Rollers

• Similar to the double barrel roller, three point rollers are a manually operated device that uses three steel drums or barrels as its wheels, with two at the rear of the vehicle and one large barrel at the front. Three point rollers can come with a "cutting attachment" located near the outer area of one of the rear tires. This attachment cuts a "joint," or straight line border, in the warm asphalt as the three point roller compacts it to a desired density.