Electric tandem rollers, earthworks machines and more innovations take centre stage at bauma for Hamm

Hamm will bring a variety of new innovations to its display at bauma 2022, with all areas of compaction included in the company's introductions. The company's introductions will include a series of electric-drive tandem rollers, availability of pivot steering on asphalt machines, earthworks solutions, technology updates and more.

Tandem rollers feature electric operation

Hamm's new HD CompactLine series of tandem rollers are eight electrified machines that feature identical operation and compaction parameters to diesel-driven machines while running entirely off battery power. 

With more municipalities calling for fully electric solutions to infrastructure projects, there is a growing need for such machines across the board. For Hamm, that has led to the development of the HD CompactLine series of rollers. 

Designed with a high degree of electrified components, the HD CompactLine series is powered by a maintenance-free Li-Ion battery that has a capacity of around 23 kWh, supplying components through a 48-V onboard power supply. As the machine works, energy released from the drive engines and vibration motors while braking is captured and recuperated. In all, Hamm says the battery-powered rollers should provide enough power for a typical workday. Charging is achieved through onboard mains power plugs. 

Electric drive significantly reduces noise emissions from the rollers, making them ideal for use in areas where compaction needs to be achieved with as little noise as possible. 

Hamm is offering electric vibration and oscillation rollers as well as an electric combination roller with oscillation.

Powerful and digital-ready earthworks compactors

Hamm is bringing two previous compactor lines together into the new HC series, using one platform for models with operating weights of 11 to 25 t (24,251-55,115 pounds) that are designed to be ready for incorporation into the digital job site.

The machines are powered by diesel engines from 85 and 160 kW (114-215 hp) and feature new approaches to machine management that includes an ECO mode to support the operator and allow them to work in the economical partial-load range as often as possible, reducing the need for cooling. Speed is reduced, but power is maintained, saving fuel while cutting noise and emissions. An optional engine stop system can reduce energy consumption even more.

Drum width on all models is 2140 mm (84.3 inches); centrifugal force has been increased by up to 15 degrees; and the static linear load is as high as 80.6 kg/cm (451.6 pounds per inch). Steering has been updated with a new cast articulated joint that features an articulated joint lock, allowing for a greater steering and swing angle with improved kinematics. 

The operator's workstation has been redesigned to give the operator more than 30 percent increased space along with added storage compartments, reduced vibration and noise. Visibility has been improved through design as well as new LED lighting installations. 

Hamm has designed the HC series to be prepared for the digital construction site, both through communication capabilities that allow it to link in to a variety of digital systems as well as through the use of Hamm-exclusive support apps.

Digital innovations for compaction work

Two new digital assistants are available to help Hamm operators in both earthworks and asphalt construction. The Smart Doc app provides a graphic display of compaction parameters as well as the compaction process, and also logs measured rigidity and position data. This aids operators by letting them see immediately the areas sufficiently compacted and which areas still need to be completed. It also links the machine data to GNSS position data, and can create PDF compaction reports. 

Smart Compact is capable of raising the quality of compaction to a new level. It can integrate local weather data into the evaluation, and is also capable of evaluating the complex cooling behaviour of asphalt, along with its physical properties. The system can continuously determine the optimal setting for each drum separately - for example, if compaction is carried out with vibration, the level of amplitude, the need for oscillation and more. All the driver needs to do is enter which layer is to be compacted. In addition, Smart Compact can move the roller into ECO mode and help save fuel.

New pivot-steered tandem rollers

The HX series is a new generation of pivot-steered tandem rollers that take advantage of Smart Compact as well as a variety of optimized components and interfaces to improve operator comfort and sustainability.

The HX 70i model (7 t, 15,432.4 pounds/55.4 kW) and HX 90i (9 t, 19,841.6 pounds/74.4 kW) achieve high surface outputs on large construction sites, but can also handle the most challenging tasks, such as compaction in curves. The high level of precision is possible thanks to pivot steering with an extremely large turning angle, a very large track offset and four steering modes.

Compaction technology with split vibration and oscillation drums prevent cracks and bulges from forming in the asphalt. Automatic reversing with an electrically adjustable seat operating unit also guarantees quality and comfort. It brakes and accelerates the rollers quickly, but smoothly. The seat also turns automatically in the direction of travel when reversing. 

Smart Compact adds capability to the HX rollers. The driver only has to enter whether a base, binder or asphalt surface course is to be compacted. Smart Compact takes care of the rest: The assistant decides automatically whether to compact with vibration and big or small amplitude, with oscillation, or statically. The ability to shift into ECO mode automatically can save up to 15 percent in fuel costs. 

Visibility from the HX cab has been improved, and a new camera system has been integrated as standard to improve the view into the machine's rear space.