What Are The Differences Between Oscillating And Vibrating Rollers?
Posted on: 9 December 2022
If you need to compact ground on a construction project, then you might want to rent a roller. If you're looking for a more effective machine, then you can rent oscillating or vibrating models. Both of these machines use movement forces to compact ground more effectively than regular rollers; however, they work in different ways.
What are the differences between the two?
How Do Oscillating Rollers Work?
Regular compacting machines use the brute force of their roller weight to compact ground. Oscillating machines harness this weight and add internal motion to it to create better compaction results.
These machines contain weights in the sides of their rollers. These weights rotate from side to side when a machine moves along to create an oscillating motion in the roller.
This motion gives the roller extra compacting power. It can use both vertical and horizontal forces on the ground as it passes over it. However, the roller can use these forces without needing to lift off the ground. So, you get a constant and smooth compaction movement.
How Do Vibrating Rollers Work?
Vibrating rollers also use weight-based motion forces to increase their compacting capabilities. However, their weights are typically sited in the middle of their rollers. These weights rotate rather than oscillate. This makes the roller vibrate as it moves over the ground.
The roller's vibrations increase its compaction strength. Here, the roller moves on and off the ground slightly as it works because its vibration forces work vertically.
What to Know Before Renting a Roller
Both oscillating and vibrating machines speed up compaction work. They also give you better results. Both rollers force the soil to compact into place more effectively than regular machines.
If you don't have any special compaction needs, say if you simply want to level out the ground before you build on it, then vibrating rollers are a good option. However, these rollers can damage surfaces because they exert so much force.
If you need to maintain surface integrity, then an oscillating machine is often a better option. For example, these machines can compact asphalt roads without breaking the surface. They often also compact faster than vibrating machines as they need fewer passes to complete a job.
Keep in mind that you can rent rollers that combine these two technologies. For example, some machines have one oscillating roller and one that vibrates. Others can switch between oscillation and vibration. These machines are good options if you want to harness the advantages of both rollers without renting two machines.
To find out more, talk to your heavy construction equipment rental company.
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