What is a pneumatic roller?

If you're in the construction industry, you may have heard the term "pneumatic roller" thrown around.

Pneumatic rollers, which we categorise as multi-tyred rollers on iseekplant, are heavy pieces of construction equipment that are designed to compact soil, asphalt and other materials that are layered and used to build structures in construction projects.

Pneumatic rollers are ideal for large-scale surface compaction works for soft materials. In this blog, we'll further explore what pneumatic rollers are, their ideal uses, and their pros and cons compared to other types of rollers.

We love Conplant for compaction! Long-term customers and friends, Conplant, are one of our most recommended and most hired compaction specialists in the country. They have the largest fleet of rollers in Australia and the widest range. They are also the dealer for Wacker Neuson Rollers. Reach out to Conplant via their iseekplant profile today!

What are pneumatic rollers?

A pneumatic roller, also known as a multi-tyred roller, pneumatic tyred roller, or multi-wheeled roller, is a heavy-duty construction machine used for soil and asphalt compaction.

Unlike other types of rollers, pneumatic rollers use rubber tyres instead of steel drums to apply uniform pressure and compact the material.

The tyres are filled with air, which allows them to conform to the surface and provide a smooth and even compaction for the materials. Pneumatic rollers come in different sizes, ranging from small walk-behind models to large machines that can weigh over 20 tonnes.

How do pneumatic rollers work?

Pneumatic rollers work by using the weight of the machine and the pressure from the rubber tyres to compress the soil or asphalt. The tyres are designed to be flexible, which allows them to contour to the surface of the material being compacted. As the machine moves forward, the tyres rotate and apply pressure to the ground. This pressure compacts the material, making it denser and more stable.

How are pneumatic rollers used?

Pneumatic rollers are a piece of compaction equipment that is generally used for the compaction of base layers and with softer materials such as subgrades, bases, and loose soil. They are particularly useful when compacting materials that require a delicate touch, such as asphalt or sand. Because the tyres on a pneumatic roller are filled with air, they are less likely to cause damage to the surface than steel drum rollers, which makes them ideal for use on surfaces that are prone to cracking or breaking (such as newly laid asphalt).

What are the pros and cons of pneumatic rollers?

Like any piece of construction equipment, pneumatic rollers have their pros and cons. Some of the advantages of using pneumatic rollers include:

• Better compaction of softer materials: Pneumatic rollers are ideal for compacting softer materials such as asphalt, sand, and soil. The tyres on the roller provide a gentler touch than steel drums, which helps prevent damage to the surface being compacted.
• Increased manoeuvrability: Pneumatic rollers are more maneouverable than steel drum rollers, due to the pivoting power of their wheels, which makes them ideal for use in tight spaces or on projects with a lot of turns.
• Reduced risk of surface damage: Because pneumatic rollers use rubber tyres instead of steel drums, they are less likely to cause damage to the surface being compacted.

However, there are also some disadvantages to using pneumatic rollers, such as:

• Higher operating costs: Pneumatic rollers tend to have higher operating costs than steel drum rollers due to the added maintenance required for the tyres.
• Limited compaction depth: Pneumatic rollers are generally not suitable for use on materials that require deep compaction, such as gravel or stone.
• Slower compaction rate: Because pneumatic rollers apply less pressure than steel drum rollers, they may require more passes to achieve the same level of compaction.

How are pneumatic rollers different than other types of rollers?

Pneumatic rollers differ from other types of rollers in several ways. For example:

• Steel drum rollers, which we call smooth drum rollers on iseekplant, use a steel drum to apply pressure to the surface being compacted, while pneumatic rollers use rubber tyres.
• Vibratory rollers (you can search for any roller on iseekplant and refine down to a vibratory attachment) use vibration to help compact the material, while pneumatic rollers rely solely on the weight of the machine and the pressure from the tyres.
• Sheepsfoot rollers, which we call padfoot rollers on iseekplant, use steel spikes to penetrate the surface being compacted, while pneumatic rollers rely on the tyres to provide the compaction.

Is a pneumatic roller right for my project?

While pneumatic rollers have their pros and cons, they are a valuable addition to any construction project that requires the compaction of soft materials. They are more manoeuvrable than steel drum rollers, which makes them ideal for use in tight spaces or on projects with a lot of turns. However, they have higher operating costs and limited compaction depth compared to other types of rollers.

So if you've decided that using a pneumatic roller is the perfect choice for your next construction or roadworks project, iseekplant's online construction marketplace is a great place to start to find the machine for you. We offer a wide range of pneumatic rollers (remember, we have categorised them as Multi-Tyred Rollers on our site) for hire from some of the top suppliers in the industry, so whether you're working on a small project or a large one, iseekplant will get you the right equipment to get the job done.

If you need an accurate hire quote for a pneumatic roller, use our Get a Quote function here.

If you're still a bit confused about the type of roller you need, email us at projects@iseekplant.com.au or call 1300 691 912 and speak to a construction services expert.