[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

I was thinking that these things are manufactured by Jessops', a Calcutta (the company, like the place, is no more 8-P )

And an interesting link-

Road roller - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[SirAlec]

Have found couple of images here,But no info on specs.
Category:Road rollers - Wikimedia Commons

Check the 46th, 92nd and 93rd images.

The owner was right its indeed a circa 1960's model.

[gomzi]

what a ride, Sirji

The road roller overall looks pretty well maintained for a 50yr old. Many cars that old would have been rust buckets by now.

Do the owners do all the repair/maintenance work themselves or take it to their friendly neighbourhood repairwalla?

[Auriga]

This is a really interesting discussion. Being born and brought up in Calcutta, I am privy to seeing the majestic old steam rollers that are available on display at the Birla Industrial and Technological Museum.

Does anyone here know that Calcutta played a significant role in the emergence of road rollers? While the first steam rollers were trialled in Paris in 1860, the first documented commercial use of steam rollers was in Calcutta. The first steam roller was a giant 30 ton machine which was designed jointly by William Clark (Chief Engineer of Municipality of Calcutta) and William F. Batho of Birmingham. It was built in Britain but shipped to Calcutta where it was in use for many years since 1863.

Just for the kicks I looked around for contemporary road rollers available here now and found out the website of a manufacturer. Apparently, their beast uses a 39.5 BHP Perkins P-4 Industrial diesel Engine and reaches a peak speed of 8.30 kmph on the 4rth gear.

[dre@ms]

Interesting to learn the in and out of a road roller. Have seen a many while traversing but never got this idea of taking its wheel. Good job there Alec!!!

Pictures are good and I believe the owner of this tonned beast is maintaining his pet well. Steering and engine looks polished.

Have seen recent road rollers have tractor like tyres at rear and the usual single drum metal roller in the front. Advancement, Technology!!!

[SirAlec]

^^^
Auriga. Thanks for the info.

Can you find out the spec for this model.

Thanks

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

I think the ones with pneumatic tyres and metal rollers are called "vibrators".

[SirAlec]

^^^^^
Not necessarily. After riding I did a little bit of research. For Eg: Dynapac CC232 has both iron wheels.
Vibrating rollers, as the name suggest has the rollers that vibrate, it has whole lot of electronics and mechanical stuff to do that.

[brraj]

Would love to drive this one some day. Last time drove a tractor in hari's farm and it was something else.

[SirAlec]

the contractor has also brought an orange 'made in delhi roller' to finish his already delayed job . Fun part is that, He specially came to my office to call me for a test drive. Look who's the lucky one!

But since its monday, i was too busy. will probably drive this weekend. He says new one is much more car like with controls on foot too.

[quickdraw]

I've actually had a chance to drive one as well during the "365 days to common wealth youth games" even in Pune it was quite fun. The operation was exactly the same but I cant remember the make or model.

[anjan_c2007]

Spotted this ancient one today that is kept for display.

[SirAlec]

Thats a John Fowler Steam road roller. Where did you clicked??

[anjan_c2007]

Originally Posted by SirAlec

Thats a John Fowler Steam road roller. Where did you clicked??

Thanks for the identification.The picture is from the PWD office headquarters at Nagpur where they have displayed this machine.
My knowledge about Road Rollers is very primitive. I can only tell that during emergency Maruti made road rollers at Gurgaon for sale government departments.

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by anjan_c2007

during emergency Maruti made road rollers at Gurgaon for sale government departments.

Did Maruti exist in 75 - 77 era?