Abstract: A vibratory compaction roller has a pretensioning mechanism that exerts a pretension or biasing force between the drum and the motor housing that inhibits relative axial movement between the output shaft of each drive motor and the associated motor housing, thus significantly reducing the generation of noise that would otherwise be created during machine operation. The pretensioning mechanism may take the form of one or more springs positioned between the drum and a drum support that also supports the motor. Bushings are provided between the springs and the drum to accommodate rotational motion between each spring and the drum. Alternatively, the pretensioning mechanism may be provided on a side of the drum opposite the motor and may pull the drum away from the motor.

Abstract: A vibratory compaction roller has a pretensioning mechanism that exerts a pretension or biasing force between the drum and the motor housing that inhibits relative axial movement between the output shaft of each drive motor and the associated motor housing, thus significantly reducing the generation of noise that would otherwise be created during machine operation. The pretensioning mechanism may take the form of one or more springs positioned between the drum and a drum support that also supports the motor. Bushings are provided between the springs and the drum to accommodate rotational motion between each spring and the drum. Alternatively, the pretensioning mechanism may be provided on a side of the drum opposite the motor and may pull the drum away from the motor.

Abstract: A vibratory roller machine includes a chassis supported on one or more drum assemblies including an exciter assembly for compacting the ground on which the machine travels. The machine is operated via a number of drive and exciter motors powered by a series hybrid drive system. The series hybrid drive system includes an engine and generator that are configured to provide power to the system under nominal operating conditions. The series hybrid drive system further includes a power storage system, such as battery bank or a capacitor bank that is configured to provide the motors with additional power during peak power demand. The vibratory roller machine may, for example, be a walk-behind trench roller or ride-on roller.

Abstract: A vibratory roller machine includes a chassis supported on one or more drum assemblies including an exciter assembly for compacting the ground on which the machine travels. The machine is operated via a number of drive and exciter motors powered by a series hybrid drive system. The series hybrid drive system includes an engine and generator that are configured to provide power to the system under nominal operating conditions. The series hybrid drive system further includes a power storage system, such as battery bank or a capacitor bank that is configured to provide the motors with additional power during peak power demand. The vibratory roller machine may, for example, be a walk-behind trench roller or ride-on roller.

Abstract: A vibratory roller is provided with an exciter assembly that need not be lubricated by an oil bath because the exciter gears need not be lubricated. At least an outer ring portion of at least one gear of the exciter assembly is formed from a non-metallic material. In one embodiment, a first gear is a composite gear having an outer toothed ring portion formed from a machined nylon material imbedded with at least one of a heat stabilizer and a lubricant, and a second, mating gear is formed from metal and acts as heat sink for the first gear. In another embodiment, both the first and second gears are composite gears having an outer toothed ring formed from a robust and thermally stable molded polymer. The gears can survive when the roller is operated at least 8 hours at a duty cycle of at least 50% while operating the roller at an ambient temperature of over 38° C. (100° F.) and while the exciter shaft is driven at a velocity of over 2,000 RPM and the exciter housing is subjected to over 31.

Abstract: A vibratory roller is provided with an exciter assembly that need not be lubricated by an oil bath because the exciter gears need not be lubricated. At least an outer ring portion of at least one gear of the exciter assembly is formed from a non-metallic material. In one embodiment, a first gear is a composite gear having an outer toothed ring portion formed from a machined nylon material imbedded with at least one of a heat stabilizer and a lubricant, and a second, mating gear is formed from metal and acts as heat sink for the first gear. In another embodiment, both the first and second gears are composite gears having an outer toothed ring formed from a robust and thermally stable molded polymer. The gears can survive when the roller is operated at least 8 hours at a duty cycle of at least 50% while operating the roller at an ambient temperature of over 38° C. (100° F.) and while the exciter shaft is driven at a velocity of over 2,000 RPM and the exciter housing is subjected to over 31.

Abstract: A screed bar for a vibratory concrete screed is formed from a long hollow extrusion having generally flat enclosing walls and defining in cross section two triangular sections that share a common interior wall. This construction has been found to provide more uniform distribution of vibrations along the entire length of the screed bar as compared to prior screed bar constructions.

Abstract: A vibratory concrete screed includes a vibration isolation system that minimizes the transmission of vibrations to the operator under normal operating conditions, but becomes more rigid during screed control forces applied to the blade through the isolation system when the operator applies greater forces to the operator handle. The system includes low durometer elastomer vibration isolators isolating the operator handle from the vibration exciter and screed blade in a manner that limits vertical compressive movement of the isolators, yet permits substantially greater horizontal shear movement to effectively isolate the operator from vibration. The isolator mounting arrangement also includes retainers that engage the isolator to limit the amplitude of horizontal shear movement when the operator applies a greater control force to the operator handle.

Abstract: A vibratory concrete screed includes a vibration isolation system that minimizes the transmission of vibrations to the operator under normal operating conditions, but becomes more rigid during screed control forces applied to the blade through the isolation system when the operator applies greater forces to the operator handle. The system includes low durometer elastomer vibration isolators isolating the operator handle from the vibration exciter and screed blade in a manner that limits vertical compressive movement of the isolators, yet permits substantially greater horizontal shear movement to effectively isolate the operator from vibration. The isolator mounting arrangement also includes retainers that engage the isolator to limit the amplitude of horizontal shear movement when the operator applies a greater control force to the operator handle.