Compaction applications are a required part of numerous industries, and no construction site is complete without a soil and asphalt compactor. While these need not always be the large 10t single drum or tandem rollers, even the small compaction equipment class is often a necessity in everyday job-sites, such as landscaping and villa construction.
And since Bobcat has a great many of its customers answering to the small contractor or small job-site description, the company expanded its product portfolio further not long ago to offer a full range of light compaction machinery, developed in collaboration with the Ammann Group.
Speaking to PMV Middle East, Gaby Rhayem, Regional Director, EMEA, at Bobcat, explains that while Bobcat is known for the compact earthmoving equipment, its driving force is to offer solutions for job-sites.
Light compaction the next step for Bobcat
“Most of these job-sites in both construction and internal landscaping, and such other applications, almost always involve light compaction equipment. So in our aim to be a one-stop-shop solution provider for our customers, we also have the light compaction equipment range in our product line.
“Basically, this was a segment we were missing out on when we catered to our typical customer profile of compact construction equipment users, and so we have plugged this gap. Unlike before, now our customers will not need to go elsewhere for any of their equipment needs for jobs that also require light compaction equipment,” Rhayem says.
“Ever since we launched the Bobcat light compaction range, customers are happy to note that they can get these from us now along with the other equipment we are known for. Our dealers also recognise that this is very complementary to the products that we offer.”
The Bobcat Light Compaction Range includes vibratory rammers, vibratory forward plates, reversible vibratory plates, hydrostatic plates, walk-behind rollers, trench rollers and tandem rollers, explains Rhayem.
The rammers and forward plates each have six models; there are 12 models of reversible plates; the hydrostatic reversible plates have four varieties; there are two models of walk-behind rollers and two again of trench rollers.
Among rollers, the Bobcat range has the ATR23 and ATR26 compact tandem rollers with 2.4-tonnes and 2.6t maximum operating weights. The models have 1000mm and 1200mm drum widths respectively, are equipped with oscillating articulation joints and vibratory systems, while being powered by a 25hp Kubota diesel engine.
“Small tandem rollers are essential for compaction in the kerbs, joints and bends – places that the large rollers are too big to reach. They are also very useful for maintenance jobs and patch work,” Rhayem explains.
The two trench rollers in the range are remote controlled for added safety. “Working in trenches is hazardous as there is always the danger of cave-ins and other accidents. That is why it is safer to have an unmanned machine that can go into trenches, with the operator using a remote control to operate it from above. The Bobcat remote-controlled trench rollers take safety to the next level in jobs such as civic infrastructure, pipe-laying, etc.” says Rhayem.
Meanwhile, the walk-behind roller is the most requested in the range. With machine weights of up to 738kg and dual-amplitude vibratory systems on both drums, they have maximum vibration frequencies of 60Hz, they have travel speeds of 4km/h with Hatz or Yanmar engines.
“With the light compaction range, we not only now offer customers more than what they traditionally have come to expect and appreciate from us, but we can also help fill a gap for them and lessen their hassles of obtaining compact machines from us and then find some others to source compaction products from,” Rhayem emphasises.
“Obtaining all the products they need in one place not only lessens their troubles, but with the light compaction range backed by our expert sales and service facilities, they also benefit from optimum back-up, high uptime and peace of mind.”