You are in the market for a Sheepsfoot roller (Кулачковый каток). Your next construction job will entail soil compaction, and you have been told that this is the perfect roller to do the job. It is used for fine-grained soils and will ensure that your next project is successful. But, what is a Sheepsfoot roller, and why should you buy it? Is there an alternative to it? Read below to find out.
What Is A Sheepsfoot Roller?
It is also referred to as a Padfoot or tamping foot roller. It is used for compacting soils that are fine-grained such as silty and heavy clay. Also, it can be used for compaction in dams, road construction work and pavements. Using any other type of roller on these soils can deteriorate the quality of work and also lead to more complications. The reason why it is used on cohesive soil is that these soils tend to stick and slip on each other. Soil compaction is a process in which stress is applied to the soil, and the air is displaced from the pores between the grains of the soil to cause densification.
How Do They Work?
Sheepfoot rollers usually generate a manipulative force on the soils hence allowing for uniform compaction during the entire procedure. They also have tapered pads that penetrate and compact the ground to build its strength. They have a steel drum that has many round or rectangular shaped lugs on it. The lugs size will vary from one Padfoot roller to another, and they will vary from one manufacturer to another. Ballasts can also be added to augment the machine’s weight, which will increase its compaction.
Characteristics Of A Sheepsfoot Roller.
- It works at speeds of around 6-10 km/h.
- They are used for cohesive soils such as heavy clays.
- The thickness of the comp-acting layer is usually kept at a minimum of 5cm or more, depending on the length of the foot.
- Its contact pressure varies from 1400 to 7000kpa.
- It covers less ground coverage;8-12% under the lugs while on drum.
- Pressure on the feet can be increased by filling the drum with some wet sand or other available material.
Why Should You Choose A Sheepsfoot Roller?
- It can be used to compact soil at greater depths.
- It is the best roller top use when filling trenches in a narrow space since it gives one more ability to move around.
- If you are working with loam, silt or clay soils, it will be efficient. A smooth roller will not work well here since it deals with more granular materials such as gravel and sand. Hence it will not do the job efficiently.
As seen above, a Sheepsfoot roller is beneficial to your construction project. It is crucial for one to know the difference between this one and a smooth roller to pick the right one for the job at hand. In case you need help, you can talk to roller experts to help you on choosing the right Sheepsfoot roller for your construction job. Click here Aido Machinery Co., Ltd.