Abstract: The invention concerns a soil compaction roller (10) and a soil compaction machine of which the roller (10) forms part. The roller (10) comprises a multi-sided, out-of-round, peripheral compacting surface (16) which can roll over a soil surface which is to be compacted. The compacting surface (16) is defined by a series of angularly spaced salient points (20) and a corresponding series of compacting faces (22). Each compacting face (22) is outwardly convex in shape and extends continuously between two adjacent salient points (20). When the roller (10) is operative with the compacting surface (16) rolling over the soil surface, the roller rises up on each salient point (20) in turn, storing potential energy, and thereafter rolls downwardly onto the succeeding compacting face (22) to transmit the stored potential energy to the soil surface to compact it.

Abstract: The invention concerns a levelling device (10) for an impact roller of the type having at least one out-of-round compactor mass which, when caused to traverse a soil surface, applies periodic compacting blows to that surface. The levelling device of the invention is coupled to the impact roller so as to trail behind the impact roller. It includes a support frame (36) and, for each compactor mass of the impact roller, a ground-engaging levelling blade (52) fast with the support frame. The levelling blade is arranged to cut soil which has been traversed by the compactor mass and thereby to perform a soil levelling action. A ground-engaging shoe (58), one for each levelling blade, is connected to the support frame for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the direction of movement of the impact roller The shoe serves to control the depth of cut achieved by the levelling blade.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring soil compaction using a compaction machine which applies periodic impact blows to the soil surface. The apparatus comprising a rotatable, multi-sided compactor mass that applies periodic impact blows to the soil surface when rolled over that surface. Data related to the level of compaction of the soil surface is derived, during compaction of the soil surface, from the deceleration of the compactor mass as it impacts the soil surface. This is achieved using one or more accelerometers mounted on the impact compactor.

Abstract: A method of monitoring of the level of compaction of a soil surface undergoing compaction by an impact compactor which includes a rotatable, multi-sided compactor mass that applies periodic impact blows to the soil surface when rolled over that surface. In accordance with the invention, data related to the level of compaction of the soil surface is derived, during compaction of the soil surface, from the deceleration of the compactor mass as it impacts the soil surface. This is achieved using one or more accelerometers mounted on the impact compactor.

Abstract: Compaction of a soil surface is achieved by means of a machine (10) which has a movable, wheeled carriage (20) and an impact roller coupled resiliently to the carriage so as to move together with the carriage. The impact roller has one or more out-of-round compactor masses (12) designed to apply periodic impact blows to the soil surface (36). A soil working implement, in the form of an upright scraper blade (44) is carried by the carriage in a position trailing the impact roller. The function of the blade is to scrape soil into the localized indentations (40) that are formed in the soil surface by the periodic impact blows applied by the compactor mass or masses. This smooths out the soil surface for subsequent passes and reduces the shock loading on the tractive vehicle which pulls the carriage.