Equipment Today did a whole post about “compactors,” the rolling vehicles used to tamp down soil for building roads and trenches. (You may know older models as “steamrollers.”) While many of the larger models are interesting in their own right, I have to say these smaller, remote-controlled models are extra nifty, especially since I didn’t even know this sort of thing existed. Imagine what you could do to your kid’s toys with these! Or to your kids!
Product Spotlight: Compaction Equipment [ForConstructionPros.com via Toolmonger]
how effective is a small steam-roller?
Actually, it also vibrates up and down violently like a jackhammer while it rolls, which is what really compacts the soil, not the weight of the machine. These things are very effective.
I love these things. They were using one to compact dirt at a construction site across from my house and I was soo jealous of the operator.
I know of other remote plant machines in the uk.
Komatsu has converted several of its mini excavators to be used in situations too dangerous to put a human operator.
For instance deep excavations or demolition liable to collapse. The site requires much less structural support beacuse if the building collapses you only lose the machinee – not the operator.
These things have been around for a long time.
SexyRobot (1): More effective than a large one, if the target area to be compacted is the bottom of a trench.