Advances in soil compaction efficiency are claimed for the latest machines coming to market, with specific models being aimed at certain duties.
There has also been a significant advance in systems that help the operator to ensure compaction working is optimised and made more efficient.
Control systems
According to Ammann, its proprietary ACEforce package offers customers an intelligent compaction system. This tool measures and evaluates material stiffness in absolute values and shows the operator the data on a display in the cab. The firm says that the system ensures compaction is achieved as required, before the operator moves onto the next area of the job site. Increased efficiency is claimed also as the package prevents the operator from making unnecessary passes, reducing fuel consumption.
BOMAG’s BOMAP app system allows the user to document roller passes and is able to capture and record compaction values using a conventional smartphone or tablet. The firm says that the BOMAP package highlights soft spots in the ground, so that operators can bring the entire working area to specification. The package logs information such as Evib values, frequency and amplitude, while it can also be used on other makes of compactor, in addition to BOMAG machines.
Caterpillar is now offering its Cat Command for Compaction system, which is said to make working more effective. The system helps improve compaction quality, allowing operators to monitor working more closely. The package offers semi-automatic compaction, with the operator using the machine to map the boundaries of the area to be compacted and then enter the compaction parameters. The operator can then put the machine in the auto setting and the system will control the drive, steering and vibration parameters. The system saves information from the recent jobs, which can be accessed through the touchscreen.
For safety, an integrated object detection system is fitted that alerts the operator if an object is in the way. And helping to optimise quality, if there is an area that cannot be compacted using vibration, the operator can switch the vibration system off and then re-engage the system once the area has been passed.
According to the firm, automating the compaction process helps provides optimum working, even if the operator is inexperienced. The new Command for Compaction package is said to maximise quality by maintaining a constant speed and using the required number of passes, with consistent and accurate overlap. The system can help reduce working time as only the passes required to bring a surface to specification will be carried out across the working area. And the company claims that this system allows contractors to deliver compaction targets more reliably.
Dynapac is now offering its novel Active Bouncing Control (ABC) technology to the North American market. The system is said to protect the material and machine from over-compaction. And the Compaction Meter, now standard on the firm’s Seismic rollers, displays the progress of compaction on the job site. North American customers will benefit from this technology as it will be standardised on all soil rollers starting from CA1500 – CA6500 (8-23tonnes) in both smooth drum and pad drum versions.
The Hammtronic package from Hamm is designed to monitor and control all key compactor functions. This electronic machine management system will control engine speed to meet the demands of the hydrostatic vibration system, as well as the steering and driving functions. The working parameters are show on the display in the cab, while working data can also be downloaded and analysed.
Special equipment
A number of firms, such as Dynapac and Hamm, offer soil compactors that feature especially high levels of torque. These are designed for duties such as trench or bank compaction, with the higher than normal torque delivery providing the extra climbing ability for use on gradients.
In addition, Dynapac says that its CA3500D High Climb model will be equipped with the firm’s innovative Seismic technology. This will allow the machine to offer productivity and efficiency for heavy soil and aggregate compaction duties.The system in Dynapac’s Seismic rollers allows the machine to detect the natural frequency of the soil being compacted. The package then adjusts compaction parameters accordingly, boosting efficiency.
According to Dynapac, its Seismic technology, combined with an ECO Mode, can delivers fuel savings of up to 25%. The firm says that its Seismic system eliminates the guesswork for the operator and does the job automatically.
From Hamm comes a package that allows the safe, remote compaction of construction sites. The new H 20i C P is a remote-controlled compactor that allows the operator to stand at a safe distance from the machine while it is in use. This system can deliver high-quality compaction as the operator can see how close the machine is working to obstacles. Key features of the machine include its padfoot drum, new thrust shield, and high gradeability.
New range
Ammann is now offering an entirely new generation of soil compactors in the shape of its latest ARS models. These are said to offer gains in productivity, they meet the latest emissions standards and have reduced fuel consumption over earlier models.
The new models are the ARS 70, ARS 110, ARS 130, ARS 150 and ARS 170, and the firm says that the machines are now more compact due to the reconfigured engine compartment. This positions the engine, coolers, liquid tanks and hydraulic components in the engine compartment, allowing use in smaller working areas onsite.
The ARS series feature variable frequencies and centrifugal forces that deliver the required compaction and makes the machines productive in many applications, and on varied materials and thicknesses.
The ARS 70, the smallest machine in the new line, is said to be one of the most manoeuvrable compactors on the market and is 16% shorter than the previous generation. The turning radius is improved 20% due to better weight distribution, improved stability and a maintenance-free articulation joint. For the other new soil compactors, turning radius is reduced on average by 3%.
