Road Construction

[Jinx]

Just a couple questions:
a) How does the front-end loader operator know his bucket is really empty as he drops a load into a dump truck? For example, I’ve seen packed dirt not want to fall out of the bucket…or only the top half of the bucket empties without effort.

b) What is that machine that looks like a steamroller with blunt spkies on its wheels? (And, BTW, is it still called a steam roller today?) Why is it used?

[Dallas_Jones]

The front end loader operator can feel the weight distribution of the vehicle change when the load is dumped. He may also flip the bucket up and down quickly to dislodge a stuck load. It really doesn’t matter that all the load is dumped each time, just that most of it is.

The roller with the spikes on the drum is used to compact the ground before paving so that it doesn’t settle after paving is done.

[SeldomSeen]

The roller with the protruding knobs is called a sheepsfoot roller. Used mostly to settle and compact heavy material like clay. The knobs or spikes give it a kneading action which is more effective than simply pressing the surface down as a smooth roller would do. The term “steamroller” is somewhat obsolete; usually this type of machine is simply called a roller or compacter.
SS

[Dog80]

1. Some have a bucket that splits in two. This helps load sticky stuff. On the traditional front loaders the operator “jerks” the bucket. You can see it at 0:26 at this video Front loader bulldozer loading snow into dump truck!!! - YouTube

[gotpasswords]

@Jinx

What is that machine that looks like a steamroller with blunt spkies on its wheels? (And, BTW, is it still called a steam roller today?) Why is it used?

It’s a sheepsfoot compactor or roller. The individual projections punch down the spoil better than one smooth roller.

As for the machine that smooths out the asphalt, they’re just compactors now, but if there was an accident at a construction site and you said that the steamroller just crushed your car, people would still know what you meant.

[Chefguy]

@gotpasswords

It’s a sheepsfoot compactor or roller. The individual projections punch down the spoil better than one smooth roller.

As for the machine that smooths out the asphalt, they’re just compactors now, but if there was an accident at a construction site and you said that the steamroller just crushed your car, people would still know what you meant.

While a roller compacts, it’s not usually called a compactor in the biz. Even the vibrating ones are still called ‘vibratory rollers’. A compactor is normally a vibrating, gas-engine driven, hand-operated piece of equipment for smaller areas such as building foundations.

[Deereman]

@Jinx

Just a couple questions:
a) How does the front-end loader operator know his bucket is really empty as he drops a load into a dump truck? For example, I’ve seen packed dirt not want to fall out of the bucket…or only the top half of the bucket empties without effort.

b) What is that machine that looks like a steamroller with blunt spkies on its wheels? (And, BTW, is it still called a steam roller today?) Why is it used?

A: Experience really. Can usually tell by how the bucket and machine reacts if there is still much weight there. Also, jerking or banging the bucket to knock the loose stuff out would work.

B: A sheepsfoot packer. Used to compact loose base material