The Ultimate Padfoot and Smooth Roller Spec and Size Chart

Selecting the right machinery can make or break a project's success. That includes when picking between padfoot and smooth drum soil compactors. These two types of rollers are vital in preparing the ground for construction by compacting soil and aggregate materials.

Like many other types of construction equipment, they come in multiple sizes. Understanding the nuances of the various sizes and specifications of these rollers is crucial for optimizing performance.

In this blog, we dive into the core differences between padfoot and smooth drum rollers, the essential specs to know, and the different models across renowned soil compactor brands in the industry. This padfoot roller size guide will help you in choosing the right soil compactor for future projects.

Important Padfoot and Smooth Roller Specs to Consider

While similar in purpose, padfoot and smooth drum rollers have slightly different functions. Smooth drum rollers, much like their name suggests, have a smooth roller on the front for compressing. Smooth rollers are adept at compacting granular soils like sand, gravel, crushed rock, or silt.

Padfoot rollers, on the other hand, have what could be described as a "toothed" or jagged drum. This slight change in the shape of the drum makes them excel in compacting cohesive soil like clay or soils with high water content.

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48 inches - 84 inches

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A few standard construction roller sizes include compactors with 48", 56", 66", and 84" drum widths. You determine the size of the drum you use based on the space of the jobsite. For example, smaller compaction projects for sidewalks and pathways use 48" or 56" drums. Meanwhile, large-scale site preparation of compaction projects like airports, roadwork, and industrial zones use the 66" and 84" drums.

Common smooth drum and padfoot compactor specifications include drum width, operating weight, engine power, compaction force, and drum type.

Comparing Padfoot and Smooth Roller Size Charts and Specs

When comparing soil compactor models and brands, most machines will have similar functionality. The primary differences are the technology that is in the machines and the range of models available. Brands covered in this blog include:

1. Ammann
2. BOMAG
3. CASE
4. Caterpillar
5. HAMM
6. Sakai
7. Volvo

You can click any of the brand names above to skip to their respective charts. We hope these charts help you in choosing padfoot rollers and smooth drum rollers that work best for your project.

Ammann Padfoot and Smooth Roller Sizes and Specs

Ammann offers a diverse range of soil compactors across the standard drum widths. The main technological advantages of Ammann include their ECOdrop system which reduces fuel usage, great cab comfort, and intelligent controls. Ammann padfoot models are denoted by the "PD" in the model name.

BOMAG Padfoot and Smooth Roller Sizes and Specs

BOMAG is one of the most prevalent brands in heavy-duty compaction and rolling equipment. Their lineup covers an array of sizes, drum widths, and compaction forces, ensuring adaptability to diverse construction requirements.

As a leader in compaction equipment, BOMAG also has some great technology in their machines. This includes the ECONOMIZER which analyzes compaction levels in real-time and communicates them back to the operator to constantly check optimal compaction levels.

An easy way to distinguish between a padfoot and a smooth drum BOMAG model is in the name. For example, the BOMAG BW 211 PDH-5 is a padfoot model as denoted by the "P". All models without the "P" are smooth drum models.

CASE Padfoot and Smooth Roller Sizes and Specs

CASE's rollers come in different widths and have strong compaction forces, making them reliable for various job situations. CASE soil compactors have the best slope performance, SiteWatch telematics, and can be operated easily with a closed or open cab.

Caterpillar Padfoot and Smooth Roller Sizes and Specs

Caterpillar, a prominent leader in heavy equipment, offers rollers with varying drum widths, compaction forces, and optional features. Their padfoot and smooth drum rollers provide versatility in soil compaction tasks.

The difference in roller type is specified in the name of the model. For example, a CAT CS44B has a smooth drum while a CP44B has a padfoot drum.

HAMM Padfoot and Smooth Roller Sizes and Specs

HAMM excels in precision engineering with its padfoot and smooth drum rollers encompassing diverse sizes and features. HAMM has two soil compactor product lines: The Series HC CompactLine and the Series HC.

The Series HC CompactLine, which consists of the HC50i and HC07i variations, is more compact in its design and made for smaller projects. They can also be equipped with padfoot drums.

Find Your Next Equipment Rental on DOZR

Soil Compaction Pad Foot Rentals

48 inches - 84 inches

Trench Rollers, Landfill Compactors

Backhoe Rentals

70 HP - 100 HP

Dozer Rentals

15,000 lbs - 200,000 lbs

SEE ALL EQUIPMENT ON DOZR

The Series HC product line is every machine bigger than the HC110i. They are designed for comfort and convenience and are very simple to operate with their 3-point articulating body.

HAMM's model naming is very easy to understand. The letter "P" indicates a padfoot drum on the machine. The letter "C" signifies its ability to work well on steep slopes. Lastly, the letter "R" indicates that it is specifically designed for tough projects.

Sakai Padfoot and Smooth Roller Sizes and Specs

Sakai's padfoot and smooth drum rollers exhibit different drum widths, vibration frequencies, and compaction forces, catering to distinct project needs. Sakai's soil compactors have ROPS and are made for operator comfort, just like other compactors on this list.

Volvo Padfoot and Smooth Roller Sizes and Specs

With only three soil compactor models available, Volvo has the smallest product line of all the brands listed in this blog. However, their soil compactors are some of the most highly respected machines in the industry. Their padfoot and smooth drum rollers emphasize efficiency with drum widths and compaction forces in the same vicinity as other brands.

Volvo's technology within their soil compactors is also top-of-the-line. With ECO mode, they can decrease fuel consumption by 40%, and with Compact Assist, operators can track progress in real-time. This helps increase efficiency and reduce how many passes the operator needs to make.

Conclusion

Selecting the appropriate size and specifications of padfoot or smooth drum rollers is pivotal for efficient soil compaction in construction projects. Understanding the nuances of these rollers across renowned brands equips decision-makers with insights for informed choices.

Remember, the right roller isn't just about size; it's about optimizing performance for the specific job at hand. Discover a wide selection of padfoot rollers and other construction equipment at DOZR to find the ideal match for your project.