Frequently Asked Questions About Ride-On Road Rollers
What is a ride-on road roller used for?
Ride-on road rollers compact large areas of soil, gravel, asphalt and sub-base material on road construction projects, parking areas, industrial yards and large civil earthworks. The operator sits on the machine rather than walking behind it, allowing higher productivity over wide areas.
What is the difference between a single drum and double drum road roller?
Single drum rollers have one vibratory drum at the front and rubber tyres at the rear, suited to compacting soil and gravel sub-bases. Double drum rollers have vibratory drums front and rear, making them ideal for compacting asphalt surfaces evenly on both passes.
What compaction width do ride-on road rollers cover?
MCM Group's ride-on rollers have drum widths typically between 1 000 mm and 1 500 mm. Contact us for specific drum width and compaction force specifications on any model in the range.
Can ride-on road rollers be financed?
Yes. MCM Group offers finance options on road rollers through approved finance partners. Contact our sales team for a quote covering deposit, term and monthly repayment options.
In South African road construction, compaction specifications typically require achieving 95—98% Modified AASHTO density in sub-base and base course layers before asphalt can be placed. Ride-on vibratory rollers achieve this through a combination of static weight, vibration frequency and amplitude calibrated to the lift thickness and material gradation. Operators must manage roller speed and the number of passes to meet specification without over-compacting granular materials.
Asphalt compaction with tandem vibratory rollers requires careful temperature management. Asphalt must be rolled while it remains above 130°C for effective aggregate interlock. Below this temperature, the mix stiffens and rolling will not achieve the required density regardless of the number of passes. MCM Group can advise on the correct roller size and configuration for your asphalt mat thickness and production speed.
MCM Group ride-on rollers come with full local warranty, vibratory system service kits and after-sales support from our branches in Cape Town, George, Gauteng and Bloemfontein. Finance options include instalment sale and operating lease through our approved finance partners.
