Proper Way to Roll Asphalt

Road Applications

Step 1

Fill the water tanks on the rollers if they are not already full. The water tank on the pneumatic roller, or rubber tire roller, needs a release agent mixed into it to keep the hot asphalt from sticking to the rubber tires.

Step 2

Position a 12-ton to 15-ton vibratory double drum roller behind the asphalt paver. Use the roller in static mode if the asphalt is tender, or made with small aggregate, and the mat depth is 2 to 3 inches. Use the roller in vibratory mode when the asphalt is less tender, made with large aggregate that produce a 4 to 6-inch thick mat.

Step 3

Break down the hot asphalt with the double drum roller. You can back away from the paver slightly to let the asphalt cool somewhat before you begin to roll it. If the asphalt is too hot, the roller will push the asphalt rather than compacting it.

Step 4

Tighten the scrapers to the drums as much as possible. Turn on the water pump and wet the entire drum -- this keeps the asphalt from sticking to the drums.

Step 5

Follow the breakdown, double drum roller with a pneumatic or another double drum roller. Continually wet the drums on the rollers and use the water and release agent mix to keep the hot asphalt from adhering to the drums and rubber tires of a pneumatic roller until the tires get hot.

Step 6

Roll the asphalt behind the mid roller, pneumatic or double drum, with another double drum roller until all marks are out of the pavement and the asphalt cools to 175 degrees Fahrenheit. This finish roller takes the lines out and finishes the mat with a smooth appearance.

Driveway Applications

Step 1

Position a 2-ton to 5-ton double drum roller behind the asphalt paver.

Step 2

Compact the asphalt with one roller, unless it cannot keep up with the paver and the mat temperature drops below 175 degrees F without a 95-percent compaction.

Step 3

Finish the rolling with another small double drum roller to remove lines and smooth the mat.