Sons of the soil

New regulations and technology are driving change in the soil compaction sector - Mike Woof reports

The impact of the Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB emissions regulations has been hard on some machine sectors in particular. Sloping engine covers have been introduced in several equipment categories as a way of improving visibility for operators, including soil compaction machines. At the same time, new machine guidance technologies have been developed and introduced to the soil compaction market, boosting productivity.

The emissions regulations have required significant expenditure on research and development. All the leading manufacturers including 6791 Ammann, 172 Bomag, 178 Caterpillar, 206 Dynapac, 228 Hamm, 255 JCB, 269 LiuGong and 2394 Volvo Construction Equipment have invested in updating their products. But with the new emissions compliant requiring after-treatment systems and additional cooling that take up space under the engine covers, this has led to a rethink in machine design.

At the same time, the latest GPS/total station guidance tools for soil compactors have introduced a revolution in performance. Using these systems, from suppliers including Topcon and Trimble, as well as Caterpillar's own Accugrade package, allows contractors to speed up compaction work on-site, while at the same time ensuring all areas are brought accurately to grade. This allows a contractor to ensure compaction meets specification, while cutting the amount of time for work to be carried out.

Manufacturers have updated their machines accordingly. Amman recently added three new models to its ASC range. The firm introduced its ASC170 model and has now launched the smaller ASC110, ASC130 and ASC150 to cover the 11-16tonne weight categories. The new ASC models feature performance upgrades over the firm's previous machines in this range, providing a static line load increase of more than 10% for the same overall weight. According to Ammann the improved performance of the new models means they now deliver similar compaction output to the next size up in weight from the firm's earlier generation machines. The benefits to the customer are said to be lower running and transport costs, as the new machines are easier to transport, more compact and more maneuverable than the units they replace.

A development of note from BOMAG has been the introduction of its massive BW332, the largest and most powerful soil compactor currently on the market. This features an innovative polygonal drum designed to maximise working efficiency and can compact materials to a depth of some 4m.

From Hamm comes the innovative H20i soil compactor, the first of a new range of high-performance machines developed by the firm to meet the Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB regulations. The 20tonne H20i is powered by a Deutz diesel rated at 160kW and is emissions-compliant, with plenty of power in reserve for compaction, even in tough operating conditions. The machine has a 2.14m wide drum and delivers centrifugal forces of 331kN. Sensors allow the operator to monitor compaction and ensure that work is carried out to the required specification. Visibility from the cab is maximised due to a spacious cab with large glass panels and the rear view in particular is good due to the innovative layout of the cooling and emissions equipment. Despite the sloping engine cover, maintenance and servicing is said to be easy with service points grouped on one side of the machine. The firm is also introducing the smaller H18i and larger H25i, which share many features and weigh 18.3tonnes and 24.5tonnes respectively.

Chinese firm LiuGong has entered the world market for soil compaction machines and plans to capture a significant share. The first machine available is its CLG612HIII single-drum roller, which is powered by a Cummins QSB4.5 diesel engine rated at 116kW. Further additions are planned and, like the CLG612HIII, this will be offered with the smooth drum as well as a padfoot drum to match different soil conditions.

Volvo Construction Equipment's latest soil compactor designs are the SD25D, SD115D and SD190X. The compact SD25D single-drum soil compactor has an operating weight of 2.56tonnes and can operate in trenches, making it suited to commercial and residential site development, utility installations, roads, driveways and landscaping jobs. It is also available with a clamp-on padfoot shell and strike-off blade. The SD115D has an operating weight of 10.75tonnes and has 2.134mm vibratory drums. At 19.4tonnes the heavyweight SD190X can handle thicker lifts with fewer passes and is equipped with the Ultra-Grade full-time traction control system for superior tractive effort. The SD190X is powered by a 151kW six-cylinder diesel engine and has a drum width of just over 2m. The machines come with a smart power mode that optimises engine and hydraulic output as well as the cooling fan speed to match the application requirements. This results in more accurate compaction and means the engine runs at a lower speed, reducing noise, wear, emissions and fuel consumption.