Small tandem rollers have a very big range of applications. They are equally "at home" on small construction sites, enclosed courtyards, pavements, the construction of multi-storey car parks and motorway construction sites. They are also used in earthmoving applications and for asphalt repairs and extensions. At this year’s Intermat, HAMM is showing two new machines, the HD 8 and HD 10C , which are now available for these diverse applications. These two "newcomers" both weigh in at about 1.5 tonnes and are true all-rounders. They have to be so, because the variety of applications produces a wide range of different requirements. The most important features of these new tandem rollers are outstanding all-round visibility, side clearance, excellent manoeuvrability, high driver comfort and ease of use.

Perfect outlook for the roller driver

The “little ones" are often used between large construction machines in the busy "scrum" at the construction site. Consequently, excellent all-round visibility is a vital feature for the safety of the drivers of these tandem rollers. HAMM has paid particular attention to this feature in developing the new HD 8 and HD 10C tandem rollers with articulated steering. The driver has an effortlessly free view over the entire working area from the driver's seat. The visibility in front, behind and in particular over the sides of the drums is optimal.

Compacting even in cramped spaces

In both tandem rollers with articulated steering, the drums have one-sided suspension (drum widths - HD 8: 80 cm, HD 10 C: 100 cm). Moreover, the two drums are arranged at an offset to each other. The drum suspension is always on the “inside" of the machine’s steering direction. Consequently, on both sides, the machines can drive right up to building walls, kerbs or other structures. Moreover, since no components overhang the drums at the front and rear, these versatile rollers can also compact directly up to an obstacle even in the forward/back directions. Consequently, compacting plates are no longer necessary for many applications. The offset arrangement, like crabwise steering, results in a 5 cm extension of the working width on the relevant side. However, the particular advantage of the offset drums for the driver is that the machine can be driven with the front or rear drum running directly along the edge of the kerb whilst remaining perfectly manoeuvrable.

Manoeuvrable rollers with 3-point articulated joint

The small tandem rollers are used in earthmoving and asphalt laying. To ensure that the machines remain manoeuvrable and particularly easy to steer on different surfaces, they have been given a lower centre of gravity to permit operation on irregular terrain. Here, the articulated steering joint plays a central role. Over the last few years, HAMM has obtained exceptionally good results with the newly developed 3-point articulated steering joint for compactors weighing from 5 to 25 tonnes. This principle has been successfully transferred to the small tandem rollers. They have outstanding driving and steering properties, increased rollover safety when cornering and excellent straight-running characteristics, so that fewer steering corrections are required.

Where space is low as well as narrow…

Small tandem rollers are used e.g. to compact asphalt surfaces in multi-storey car parks, where the machine height must not exceed a specified value. Here, the HD 8 and HD 10 C come into their own, because although the drum diameter of these 1.5 tonne machines, at 62 cm, is larger than for comparable tandem rollers, the machine height at the ROPS bar is only 2.15 m.

Easy to handle

On large construction sites, small tandem rollers in particular are often driven by a number of different drivers. Intuitive operation without lengthy training and instruction is therefore important. The HD 8 and HD 10 C satisfy this requirement, because most operating functions and displays are self-explanatory. The drive lever is comfortably within reach next to the driver’s seat, and the clearly arranged control panel with easily understandable symbols informs the driver at a glance of the machine’s status. An anti-vandalism protection guard is fitted over the control panel as standard.

Comfortable work station

Compactor drivers often work for many hours non-stop. Driver comfort is therefore no luxury but an absolute necessity for productive operation of the machines. The HD 8 or HD 10 C has comfortable seats that the driver can rapidly adjust to exactly the right position. The footwell is unparalleled: it offers even tall drivers enough legroom and enables them to adjust the relative positions of the seat and feet as required. Moreover, armrests are provided to provide good support to the upper body. Strained and askew body positions are prevented, thereby enhancing concentration and productivity.

HD 8 – Advantages that stand up to the competition

Advantage 1: Simple to transport

The climbing grab-handle of the HD 8 and HD 10 C is also the central hooking point for loading. Once on the hook, the machines are loaded on the truck in a minimum of time. Their compact dimensions mean that they can even be fitted longways on small trailers or transversally on a deep loader.

Advantage 2: Easy to service

Regular maintenance and customer service can considerably enhance the long-term value and safe operation of the machine. The simpler and faster the machine is to maintain by users themselves, the safer this maintenance will be in practice. For the new small HAMM tandem rollers with articulated steering, the driver can open the bonnet at the touch of a button. The service and maintenance points are located on a single side of the machine, and the filters, dipsticks and level indicators are easily accessible.

Advantage 3: Fluid levels easy to read

The diesel and water tanks of the HD 8 and HD 10 C are generously dimensioned. Inspection windows ensure that the tank levels are easy to see.

Advantage 4: Water tank easy to clean and drain

The large water filter is fitted to the lowest point of the water tank. This highly accessible position means that the filter is easy to change or clean. By unscrewing the filter, the entire water circuit can be immediately and simply drained in order to prevent frost damage.

Advantage 5: Modern engine

The small rollers are equipped with a modern HATZ engine delivering a power of 16 kW. With its automatic cold starting system, this engine is particularly reliable. Service and maintenance are made particularly easy by concentrating all engine maintenance points on one side.

Advantage 6: Symbols instead of words in the instrument panel

You can search in vain for text labels on the instrument panel: instead, HAMM relies on self explanatory diagrams with LEDs. The displays are therefore internationally understandable. For example, if the driver activates vibration on one of the drums, an LED lights up in the corresponding drum of the diagram on the instrument panel. Displays for amplitude setting and water sprinkling and the warning lamps are all easily recognisable, logical and arranged with reference to their position on the machine.

Advantage 7: High-capacity water sprinkling

A functioning water sprinkling system is important for obtaining a good compaction result. Two factors should be emphasised here for the HD 8 and HD 10 C: the water tank has a high capacity of 75 litres, thereby reducing the number of interruptions. The flat nozzles on the water sprinklers of the drums are easily accessible and can be rapidly and easily replaced by hand.

Specifications of the tandem rollers with articulated steering

HD 8

Drum width: 0.80 m

Operating weight: 1,450 kg

Engine power: 16 kW / 22 hp

Static linear load: 9.1 kg/cm

Overall dimensions (L X W X H): 2,120 x 856 x 2,155 mm

HD 10

Drum width: 1.00 m

Operating weight: 1,580 kg

Engine power: 16 kW / 22 hp

Static linear load: 7.9 kg/cm

Overall dimensions (L X W X H): 2,120 x 1,060 x 2,155 mm