The Complete Winter Maintenance Guide for Road Rollers: Safeguard Your Compaction Equipment
Winter poses significant risks to road construction machinery, especially vibratory rollers and compactors. When temperatures drop below freezing, residual water in cooling and spray systems can expand, causing catastrophic cracks to engines, pumps, pipes, and radiators. For contractors and equipment managers, a structured winterization process isn't just recommended—it’s essential for protecting your asset and ensuring project readiness. This guide outlines the critical winter maintenance procedures for your road roller fleet, focusing on complete water drainage and system protection.

Why Winterization is Non-Negotiable for Compaction Equipment
Road rollers, whether used for asphalt compaction or soil density projects, rely on water systems for engine cooling and drum/spray bar lubrication. Unlike enclosed hydraulic fluid, water freezes and expands with tremendous force. A single overnight freeze can:

Crack the engine block or cylinder head.

Rupture the radiator or hydraulic oil cooler.

Split water pumps and filtration housings.

Burst spray system piping and nozzles.
The resulting repairs are not only expensive but also lead to prolonged downtime, delaying critical road construction and earthwork projects. Proactive winter maintenance is a simple, cost-effective insurance policy.

Step-by-Step: Draining the Cooling System (水箱放水)
The core of winterization is removing all coolant/water from the engine's cooling circuit. The process varies by roller type and model.

1. For Pneumatic Tire Rollers (胶轮压路机)
Models (e.g., XP303, XP305): Access the cooling system by opening the rear enclosure or hood assembly.

XP303 Procedure: Locate the drain port at the bottom left side of the radiator. Loosen and remove the drain plug (丝堵) to allow all coolant to flow out completely.

XP305 Procedure: This model features an extended drain hose. Simply open the drain valve to let the coolant evacuate.

Key Tip: Always perform this when the engine is cool. Place a container underneath to collect the fluid for proper disposal or reuse if using antifreeze.

2. For Double Drum Vibratory Rollers (双钢轮压路机)
Model Example (XD135T): These machines typically have two radiator cores.

Procedure: Find the two separate drain plugs located at the bottom of both the left and right-side radiator tanks. Remove both plugs to ensure no water remains trapped in either side of the system.

3. For Light Compact Rollers (轻型压路机)
Model Example (XD120): These may have a dual-circuit system.

Procedure: Open the rear panel. First, open the drain valve on the upper expansion tank to empty it. Then, locate the lower radiator drain port, typically found on the lower left side of the machine frame, and open it to drain the main volume.

Winterizing the Water Spray System (洒水系统保养)
A roller's spray system is highly vulnerable due to its network of thin pipes and small orifices.

Drain Spray System Tanks & Pumps:

Turn on the spray system switch/pump for a maximum of 30 seconds to expel residual water from the pump and primary lines. Do not run the pump dry for longer, as this can damage seals.

For rollers with a water filter (水滤), locate the drain plug at the bottom of the filter housing and open it to empty any collected water.

Important: Many domestic and imported water pumps have a dedicated small drain screw at the pump body's lowest point. Open this to ensure the pump volute is completely dry.

Empty Spray Bars & Nozzles (洒水管放水):

This is a crucial, often missed step. Water trapped inside the long spray bars will freeze.

Procedure: Remove at least one spray nozzle from both the left and right sides of the front and rear spray bars. This allows air to enter and permits any remaining water to drip out completely from the entire length of each pipe.

Store the removed nozzles in a clean, dry place to prevent clogging.

Additional Winter Care Tips for Your Roller
Beyond water drainage, consider these steps for optimal protection:

Battery Care: Disconnect the battery cables. Clean the terminals and store the battery in a fully charged state in a cool, dry place above freezing to prevent sulfation and loss of charge.

Fluid Checks: Change engine oil and hydraulic oil filters before storage. Contaminants and moisture in old oil can become acidic and damage internal components over long idle periods.

Long-Term Storage: Park the roller on a level, dry surface. If possible, place wooden blocks under the drums and tires to relieve pressure. Engage the parking brake and lower all attachments to the ground.

Cover It: Use a breathable tarp to protect the machine from dust, moisture, and UV damage to the cab interior and controls.

Conclusion: Prepare Now for a Productive Spring
Taking a few hours to systematically winterize your road rollers is a minor investment compared to the cost and frustration of springtime repairs. By following this guide—thoroughly draining the cooling system (水箱), spray system (洒水系统), filters (水滤), and pipes (洒水管)—you safeguard the heart of your compaction equipment. When the ground thaws and your next road construction, asphalt paving, or soil compaction project begins, your machine will be ready to start strong, ensuring efficiency, reliability, and a strong return on your equipment investment.

多语言标签 (Multilingual Hashtags):
#RoadRoller #WinterMaintenance #ConstructionEquipment
#RouleauCompresseur #EntretienHiver #MachinerieLourde (French)
#RodilloCompactador #MantenimientoInvierno #EquipoConstrucción (Spanish)
#RoloCompactador #ManutençãoInverno #Compactação (Portuguese)
#مدحلة #صيانة_الشتاء #معدات_البناء (Arabic)
#压路机 #冬季保养 #道路施工 (Chinese)