When it comes to compacting soil, there are many different options in excavator attachments. Different types of attachments are more effective for specific types of soil and for a variety of different applications. For general use for soil compaction, one of the most effective and versatile attachments to choose from is the sheepsfoot roller.
The ideal type of soil for this type of compaction attachment is anything that is fine-grained. This includes all types of clay soils, including the heavy clay soils and more silty clay that can be challenging to pack using other types of attachments.
Basic Design
The various manufacturers of the sheepsfoot roller attachment have various configurations to the feet or the lugs, but the overall design is the same. This is a drum-type of compactor, with protrusions or “feet” that are spaced along the surface of the drum. They can be narrower and more like teeth, or they can be square and larger. Some are designed with a wider base to the lugs, and the specific type of soil and use requirements need to be considered when choosing the best design option.
Important Factors to Consider
When choosing a sheepsfoot roller, take the time to consider the maintenance required for the attachment. Some manufacturers offer extremely low maintenance products, designed with sealed axle bearings that are self-lubricating, eliminating the need for regular greasing with each use. The attachment needs to be configured for the specific equipment, and some companies offer these rollers for backhoes, mini-excavators as well as full-sized excavators of all makes and models.
It is also possible to consider a roller and bucket combination. This reduces the time spent in switching attachments on the excavator, and also saves money on buying two attachments. With this combination, both excavation and compacting can be done with one attachment, which is ideal for any type of trenching and compacting jobs.
