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.

Abstract: A compactor which includes two laterally spaced impact rollers on an axle which constrains the rollers to rotate in synchronism. The axle includes a first component which transmits bending moments, and a second component which transfers torsional forces, between the rollers.The spaced impact rollers make it possible to compact embankment edges and increase the stability of the compactor.

Abstract: A method of soil compaction consists in, during compaction of the soil, applying a smaller auxiliary force around the area of the soil to which a larger compacting force is applied. In soil compacting apparatus a pneumatic tire is used for applying the auxiliary force and the compacting force is applied by a cylindrical or non-cylindrical compacting member located within the tire, the compacting member being adapted to contact the inner surface of the tire for applying the compacting force to the soil. In another embodiment, the compacting member is mounted adjacent the pneumatic tire on a common axle therewith.