Key Features of Our Roller Hire Solutions
Our roller hire range is designed to give you the right compaction tool at each stage of your project.
- Coverage from patching to highways:
- From small walk-behind rollers for utility reinstatement and driveways through to heavy single-drum soil rollers and tandem asphalt rollers, we can cover compacting duties from first formation to final surface.
- Matched to your materials and layers:
- We look at material type (soil, sub-base, asphalt), layer thickness and area sizes, then recommend a roller class and width that fits your method statement and productivity targets.
- Improved finish quality:
- Twin-drum tandem rollers offer smooth, even compaction on asphalt and surface layers, while pedestrian rollers help tidy edges, footpaths and smaller areas where ride-ons can’t access.
- Efficient site packages:
- Rollers are often hired together with excavators, dumpers and compaction plates as part of a complete groundwork or surfacing package, coordinated through one point of contact.
- Support from an experienced team:
- With over 80 years of combined experience in plant and project support, we’re used to working with contractors, utilities, surfacing gangs and industrial clients who need reliable kit and straight, practical advice.
Safety Features
Safety is central to how we operate. Rollers supplied through FESS Hire typically include:
- ROPS frames or cabs and seatbelts on ride-on rollers to support operator protection.
- Operator presence controls on both pedestrian and ride-on units to help prevent unintended movement.
- Good visibility from the operator position, with lighting and beacons on many ride-on models for low-light or live-site work.
- Service and parking brakes suitable for typical working gradients within the machine’s rated limits.
- Clear daily-check points and documentation to support pre-use inspections and compliance with your RAMS.
Where needed, we can also signpost to operator training and familiarisation, especially important when rollers are used near live traffic, public areas or on steeper gradients.
Operating Specifications
Exact figures will depend on roller type and model, but our roller hire range is broadly selected around:
- Working Widths:
- Approx. 550–1,200mm (pedestrian and tandem) and 1.2–2.1m (single drum)
- Operating Weights:
- Approx. 140kg–13t across the full range
- Travel Speeds:
- Usually up to approx. 4km/h for pedestrian rollers and 8–12km/h for ride-on rollers
- Compaction Capability:
- Suitable for soil, sub-base and asphalt layers within the thickness and specification limits for each roller type
When we quote, we’ll confirm the most suitable roller type and size based on layer thickness, material, area and access.
Typical Applications
Roller hire from FESS is commonly used for:
- Groundworks and formation
- Compacting capping and sub-base layers for buildings, slabs and yards.
- Roads and highways
- Formation, base and asphalt surfacing on new works and maintenance schemes.
- Car parks and industrial yards
- New build and resurfacing of concrete or asphalt areas.
- Footways, cycleways and paths
- Using pedestrian and smaller tandem rollers for narrow and constrained areas.
- Utility reinstatement
- Compacting reinstatement layers in trenches and patches.
Find out more about Specifications and options for Rollers
Frequently Asked Questions
- What type of roller do I need for my job?
- For deep soil and sub-base layers on larger areas, a single-drum ride-on roller is usually best. For asphalt and final surface layers, a tandem twin-drum roller is typically preferred. For small reinstatements, paths and tight spaces, a walk-behind roller is often the most practical choice.
- Can I use the same roller on both sub-base and asphalt?
- In some cases, yes – particularly with tandem rollers on base and binder layers. However, the best setup will depend on your specification and finish requirements. We can advise on suitable combinations.
- Do you supply different-width options?
- Yes. We can usually supply a choice of widths in both pedestrian and ride-on rollers (e.g. 80cm, 100cm or 120cm tandem rollers), subject to availability. Tell us about your area sizes and access and we’ll recommend a width.
- Do you hire rollers to domestic customers?
- FESS Hire is set up primarily for trade and commercial customers, including contractors, utilities, surfacing contractors and industrial clients. If you’re unsure whether your organisation is eligible, our team can advise.
Contact Us Today
Experience the FESS Hire difference. Contact us today to discuss your roller hire requirements and discover how we can support your next project. Call us or email us, we’re ready to help you choose the right roller types and sizes for your programme.
