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JCB, LeeBoy, and Hamm Rollout the Latest Compactor Roller to Maintain Market Relevance
The race to conquer the roller compactor has intensified as major heavy equipment manufacturers vie for bigger market shares within the roller compactor market sphere as the segment expands attributed to higher demand from all corners of the globe for improved roads and better connectivity from both developing and developed regions.
Leading heavy machine manufacturers such as Caterpillar, Hamm, Dynapac, Hitachi and many others are joining the fray to increase their respective stakes in the market. Heavy equipment manufacturer JCB for instance recently added two new roller compactor models (CT380-130 and CT430-140) that fall into the tandem vibratory rollers category to the manufacturer’s roller compaction range that completes the brand’s line-up that consists of sub-5 tonne machines that target the rental industry.
Both machines are categorized above the current models (CT160-80/100 - CT260-100) and aim to gain an advantage over the Dynapac models which have become popular within the roller for hire sphere. Both machines are aimed at gaining traction within the 4-tonne market. Key features that make these machines desirable include the EU Stage V diesel engines (DOC and DPF), Drum offset mechanism, Hydrostatic double drum drive, and sloped (V-shape chassis) for enhanced visibility and enhanced safety features.
LeeBoy joins the roller compactor fray after quite a long hiatus by re-launching their compaction Line featuring three brand new compact rollers that are targeted towards the roller compactor for hire niche. According to LeeBoy’s senior product manager, Chris Broome, it is the right moment to gain traction within the compaction market as these new rollers complement the latest pavers released by the company.
The launch of the new pavers provided a window of opportunity to re-enter the roller market Broome added. In essence, LeeBoy is not a new player in the roller market, the manufacturer was in the market but left due to the intense competition, however, the current dynamics and market conditions are different and according to Broom, it’s the perfect time to re-enter.
Another development and to an extent a new roller market is the electric-powered roller compactor market which is relatively still young compared to electric-powered excavators and skid steers that are already established solidly. With the hopes of establishing a ‘first mover’ status, Hamm has taken strides into the electric-powered compactor sphere and is currently at the ‘testing stage’ leaving most other manufacturers behind.
Thus far according to Hamm and based on their trials the electric powered compactors are able to match conventional diesel-powered rollers with the advantage of being significantly quieter and zero emission. According to Hamm’s R&D unit, these electric powered machines are able to deliver the same level of compaction power as diesel-powered rollers. Currently, Hamm offers eight electric-powered variants of tandem rollers, with some of the machines equipped with oscillation drums.
The battery is capable of handling a full day’s job and charging can be accomplished overnight. The power system has also been designed for rapid charging which only requires four hours to charge the battery from 0% to 100% at 400V.
