Flip a Switch, Save Fuel
Getting the job done in less time will, of course, also burn less fuel. In addition, intelligent compaction rollers also experience less depreciation than their standard counterparts since they perform the same amount of work in less time. If it takes a standard roller five hours a day to complete a job and it takes a roller with an intelligent system three hours a day to accomplish the same amount of work, how many hours of use difference will there be at the end of the year? What does that mean in regard to wear and tear on the engine and drive components over the life of the machine? Even without a calculator, the answer is obvious.

Intelligent compaction systems don’t require any more maintenance than a standard roller would, either. There are no additional filters. The vibratory oil doesn’t need to be changed more frequently. Nothing. The intelligent compaction roller is more electrically complex due to the additional microprocessor, but that doesn’t result in any additional maintenance or affect day-to-day operating costs.

All of these factors also contribute to a smaller depreciation drop for the longer-lasting intelligent compaction machines. They’re also more likely to hold their value, due to the nature of economics. In comparison, think of a Cadillac and a Chevy, each purchased two years ago. They’re both put up for sale today. Which will be sold for a greater percentage of its initial purchase price? The Caddy is more desirable in the market and comes better equipped, so it has a higher residual value. The same concept holds true for intelligent compaction machines.

Won’t Shake Things Up
Yet another benefit of intelligent compaction is its ability to reduce the negative effects of vibration on nearby structures. Rollers deliver a radiant cone of force, with the greatest output energy occurring at the center of the drum. The force radiates out and down from that point — similar to a pyramid shape — through the ground. The energy moving away from the machine grows less intense as it descends. While the base of the “pyramid” isn’t very large, the material can carry reflective vibration many times farther. The harder the surface, the more conducive it will be to reflecting this vibration. The result is complaints that range from something shaking off a shelf in a home to a plaster crack or foundation damage.

Standard rollers with a two-stage exciter only have “high” and “low” amplitude output options.

In contrast, intelligent compaction rollers have multiple manual amplitude settings. Additionally, they can be manually set to vector at varying degrees. At a completely horizontal setting, the roller will vibrate sideways, rather than up and down, causing a minimal amount of compaction force. This capability allows even a very large roller to operate close to sensitive areas without causing damage through transient vibration. A contractor can optimize compaction performance without exceeding vibration tolerances for buildings.

In the end, it’s clear that reading the label will provide considerably more information about a product than a simple price tag check. While the information on a soup-can label indicates how the soup contributes to a healthy diet, the above information on intelligent compaction rollers indicate how they contributes to a healthy profit. So, now which brand will you choose?