Skip to main content

Compacting a parking area

A compaction job for a parking area in Germany posed challenges for the contractor. The work was being carried out for a supermarket carpark in Niederkassel, Germany.
By Mike Woof January 18, 2024 Read time: 2 mins
An Ammann twin drum roller has been used to carry out a tricky compaction job in a supermarket carpark

Much of the project required compaction in open spaces where productivity was needed. However, compaction was also needed near the supermarket’s entrance, close to obstacles. That meant the compaction machine had to be to versatile enough to be productive in open spaces as well as being manoeuvrable enough to operate in tight spots.

The base layer of 120mm necessitated deep compaction output – all while negotiating the close spaces. The base layer consisted of warm mix (AC32 TS), so the compaction window was also tight.

The Ammann ARP 75 Pivot-Steer twin drum compactor was able to meet all the requirements of the job however. The machine has an operating weight of 7.4tonnes, as well as the output needed. Standard is a two-stage vibratory system with a multiple range of frequencies that helps operators adjust compaction output.

It offers two frequencies (38-48Hz and 45-55Hz), two amplitude choices (0.68mm and 0.39mm) and two centrifugal options (58-92kN and 47-70kN). These settings ensured the roller brought the output necessary to reach the 120mm depth, yet also could be adjusted when working close to the building.

The Ammann ARP 75 has pivot steering with split drums, enabling precise compaction as well as reducing shear forces. The roller also offers advanced steer-by-wire machine control, which is said to be responsive.

Another handling feature is machine fingertip steering (FTS). This replaces the traditional steering wheel and allows operators to keep both hands on the armrests for improved comfort. An advanced drive lever with smart functions ensured the smooth starts and stops that were useful when paving the parking lot.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Innovative asphalt paver advances for 2015
    April 8, 2015
    Pressure on asphalt paver manufacturers to develop new and more efficient machines is bringing results - Mike Woof writes. For all the key manufacturers in the asphalt paving segment, pressure is being brought to bear with regard to the development of new and more efficient machines. Both for US and European style of pavers, incremental improvements are being seen in machines. In keeping with regulations for Europe and North America, many of the new generation machines are now being powered by the latest lo
  • Concrete mixing technology offers advanced recipes
    February 13, 2012
    Modern concrete production plants are using technology to offer more sophisticated mix recipes as Patrick Smith reports. The growing trend towards ever more sophisticated concrete recipes calls for fully developed mixing technology. Companies are responding to the challenges with equipment that offers new levels of sophistication including computer controls and units that can deliver a huge variety of mix recipes.
  • JCB’s new VM117D makes North America debut
    March 11, 2014
    JCB’s stylish new soil compactor - the VM117D – has made its North American market debut at Conexpo 2014. With an 11tonne operating weight and equipped with JCB’s 93kW Tier 4 Interim Ecomax engine, said to deliver a 10% fuel saving, the single-drum VM117D can be used for a wide range of work in infrastructure and housing projects. It has a smooth drum as standard with pad foot drums as an option. “We’ve improved the compaction criteria, including amplitude, frequency, centrifugal force, static linear lo
  • Caterpillar’s versatile backhoe loader
    December 7, 2017
    Caterpillar is now offering a highly versatile backhoe loader model aimed specifically at the African and Middle Eastern markets The Cat 426F2 model is said to able to carry out a wide range of duties and is offered in two and four-wheel-drive variants. Customers can also choose between backhoe loader or excavator control patterns and choose from other options including cab climate control packages and the firm’s Product Link technology.