Rollers and compactors are used on virtually every construction, civil engineering, and road surfacing project in the UK. They're bought, sold, and hired in large numbers — and the market for good-condition machines from recognised brands is consistently active.
Whether you're selling a small tandem roller that's been finishing asphalt on housing development roads, a large single drum compactor from a major earthworks contract, or a pneumatic tyre roller from a highways scheme, this guide covers what you have and what it's worth.
Types of Roller and Compactor We Buy
Tandem rollers (double drum rollers) — two smooth steel drums, one front and one rear, both driven and both vibrating. Used primarily for asphalt compaction. The most commonly traded roller type in the UK construction market. Weight range: 1.5–14 tonnes.
Single drum compactors — one large driven vibrating drum at the front, with rubber tyres at the rear. Used for soil, sub-base, and granular material compaction rather than asphalt. Weight range: 8–25+ tonnes.
Padfoot / sheepsfoot rollers — single drum compactors with a padfoot (protrusion-covered) drum rather than a smooth drum; for compacting cohesive soils and clay. Either factory-built padfoot or removable padfoot shells fitted to a smooth drum machine.
Pneumatic tyre rollers (PTR) — rows of rubber tyres front and rear; produce a kneading compaction action ideal for finishing asphalt and soil. Less common in the UK than drum rollers but present in the road construction market. Ballast weight adjustable.
Combination rollers — smooth drum at the front, rubber tyres at the rear; versatile for both soil and asphalt. Popular in the UK for mixed applications.
Walk-behind / pedestrian rollers — small double drum rollers pushed by the operator; used for footpaths, driveways, and confined areas. Common in landscaping and small civil contracts. Weight range: 0.5–1.5 tonnes.
Plate compactors / vibrating plates — not rollers but in the same product family; used for compacting sub-bases and paving around obstacles. Forward-plate and reversible plate varieties.
Major Roller and Compactor Manufacturers
Bomag (Germany — Fayat Group) — the most widely recognised compaction brand in the UK market; Bomag rollers and compactors are found across road construction, civil engineering, and hire fleets. Key models:
- Tandem rollers: BW 80 AD-5 (0.8t), BW 100 AD-5 (1.0t), BW 120 AD-5 (2.4t), BW 138 AD-5 (2.9t), BW 161 AD-5 (3.5t), BW 177 DH-5 (9t) — the BW 120 AD and BW 138 AD are the most commonly traded Bomag tandem rollers in the UK
- Single drum compactors: BW 211 D-40 (10.4t), BW 213 DH-4 (13.1t), BW 219 DH-5 (18.9t), BW 226 DH-5 (21.4t)
Hamm (Germany — Wirtgen Group) — premium compaction brand; Hamm rollers are known for the Variomatic eccentric system and oscillation technology. Strongly preferred by road contractors for asphalt quality. Key models:
- Tandem rollers: HD 8 VV (0.8t), HD 10 VV (1.5t), HD 12 VV (2.5t), HD 13 VV (2.7t), HD 14 VV (3.1t), HD+ 90i (9t), HD+ 110i (12t)
- Single drum compactors: H 7i (7t), H 10i (10t), H 13i (13t)
Dynapac (Sweden — Fayat Group) — strong UK market presence; particularly well regarded for larger single drum compactors. Key models:
- Tandem rollers: CC900 (0.9t), CC1000 (1.0t), CC1200 (1.2t), CC4200 (4.0t), CC6000 (6.0t)
- Single drum compactors: CA2500D (10.2t), CA4000D (15.4t), CA5000D (19.4t), CA6000D (22.5t)
Ammann (Switzerland) — well-established UK presence; Ammann rollers are frequently seen on road and civil contracts. Key models:
- Tandem rollers: ARX 12 (1.2t), ARX 16 (1.6t), ARX 23 (2.3t), ARX 26 (2.6t), ARX 36 (3.6t)
- Single drum compactors: ASC 70 (7.0t), ASC 100 (10t), ASC 110 (11t), ASC 130 (13t)
Caterpillar (USA) — CAT rollers are found on major civil and quarrying contracts. Key models:
- Tandem rollers: CB1.7, CB2.7, CB10 (1.7–10t)
- Single drum compactors: CS74B (17.2t), CS76B (19.7t), CP74B (17.2t padfoot), CP76B (19.5t padfoot)
JCB (UK) — JCB rollers occupy the mid-market and are widely used by smaller contractors. Key models: VMT 260-130 tandem roller, VM 115 pedestrian roller, CT series combination roller. JCB brand recognition in the UK supports reasonable resale values.
Volvo CE (Sweden) — rollers less commonly seen than Volvo excavators but present in the market. DD series tandem and SD series single drum models.
What Affects Roller and Compactor Value?
Hours. Rollers accumulate hours faster than most plant because they run continuously on site. Under 1,500 hours on a post-2016 tandem roller is considered low; 2,500–4,500 hours is the active market range.
Drum condition. Steel drum surface condition is checked carefully — deep gouges, weld repairs, or out-of-round running reduce value significantly. The drum is the working part of the machine.
Vibration system condition. Eccentric shaft bearings and vibration system components wear with use and are expensive to replace. Buyers check for vibration amplitude and frequency consistency.
Water sprinkler system (tandem rollers). Water jets prevent asphalt sticking to the drum — a seized, leaking, or non-functioning sprinkler system is noted and discounted.
ROPS frame condition. The rollover protection frame (ROPS) is a safety requirement — damage, cracks, or weld repairs on the ROPS are a red flag and significantly reduce value.
Brand. Bomag and Hamm consistently achieve premiums over unknown brands at equivalent specification and age.
Indicative Values (2026)
| Machine | Weight | Year | Hours | Approx. Value (ex VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bomag BW 120 AD tandem roller | 2.4t | 2017–2020 | 1,000–2,500 | £15,000–£26,000 |
| Bomag BW 138 AD tandem roller | 2.9t | 2017–2020 | 1,000–2,500 | £18,000–£32,000 |
| Hamm HD 12 VV tandem roller | 2.5t | 2017–2020 | 1,000–2,500 | £17,000–£30,000 |
| Ammann ARX 26 tandem roller | 2.6t | 2017–2020 | 1,000–2,500 | £16,000–£28,000 |
| Dynapac CC1200 tandem roller | 1.2t | 2017–2020 | 800–2,000 | £10,000–£18,000 |
| Bomag BW 213 DH single drum | 13t | 2015–2018 | 2,000–5,000 | £35,000–£60,000 |
| Dynapac CA4000D single drum | 15t | 2015–2018 | 2,000–5,000 | £38,000–£65,000 |
| CAT CS74B single drum | 17t | 2015–2018 | 2,000–5,000 | £42,000–£70,000 |
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