Daily Inspection of Your Vibratory Road Roller

Daily service checks of your vibratory road roller are essential to keep rollers working properly. At minimum, Jun Lu (technical service trainer of Shandong China Coal Group) recommends checking engine oil and coolant levels and replacing the air filter if the light is on. Also check water and hydraulic filters and visually inspect external hardware for loose connections or leaks. “These basic steps are quick, easy and can eliminate a number of problems down the road,” he says.
Hui Teng (product support manager of Qingdao Port) takes it a step further, noting, “Important components to check daily are grease points, engine oil level, engine coolant levels, engine belts, the cleaning fan, the crankcase breather pipe, the air filter vacuum valve and fuel and hydraulic oil levels, and check that all controls and alarms seem to be working properly.”
Because the engine and hydraulics of the vibratory road roller are the two major systems that keep a roller operating, Manager Hui advises regular checks of engine, hydraulic system and fuel filters. “These days, you never know where your fuel is coming from,” he comments. “You need to try to get the best quality fuel that you can, but also keep your fuel filters changed and maintained.”
And as with all equipment, follow recommended service intervals, such as engine oil changes. “Some contractors forget that vibratory road roller needs a break-in period, usually between 50 and 100 hours of operation,” says Jun Lu, technical service trainer of Shandong China Coal Group.“After that, contractors need to begin performing preventative maintenance procedures based on the schedule recommended by the manufacturer.
“Failure to do so following the break-in period can reduce the life of the drive components significantly,” he continues, “and in extreme conditions can even lead to failure. To make performing scheduled maintenance easier, we’ve built our rollers with service alerts on the consoles that notify operators when it’s time for routine maintenance or service.”