Light Compaction Equipment Productive on Provincial Road Project

Past performance is essential to future work when it comes to Sri Lankan infrastructure projects.

With much future business at stake, Rathne Construction used a variety of Ammann compaction machines on a recent provincial road project.

“We always are concerned about project deadlines and facing more competitors,” said G.R. Karannagoda, managing director of Rathne Construction, with headquarters in Ambalantota, Sri Lanka. “This project was essential because we needed to be successful to qualify for future work.”

Rathne, founded in 2006, worked as a subcontractor on a Provincial Road Development Authority project in the Hambantota District. The road required the compaction of pedestrian walkways, bank filling and road patch work – a perfect match for the Ammann light equipment lineup. Some traditional asphalt compaction was required as well.

Rathne specialises in road construction, building construction and asphalt supply. It therefore requires machines that can remain productive when the jobsite conditions change.

“The Ammann machines are productive in multiple applications,” Karannagoda said.

ARW 65 Walk-Behind Roller

“The ARW 65 1-ton (U.S.) roller was very effective on the pedestrian areas,” Karannagoda said. The walk-behind roller offers a high-amplitude setting for work on gravel/soil or a low amplitude setting for asphalt and bituminous materials.

ARX 23 Articulated Tandem Roller

“The ARX 23 is a versatile roller that can be used on rural roads or city roads,” Karannagoda said.

ACR 60 Rammer

“There was a need for bank filling and foundation work on the provincial project,” Karannagoda said. “This machine was very good at those applications.”

The ACR 60 is the lightest Ammann Rammer at 62 kg. The handle enables manoeuvrability while limiting vibration to the operator.

“It has low fuel consumption and good compaction force, and at the end of the day, it provides value,” Karannagoda said. “It also is a very durable machine.”

Operators praise the limited vibration and easy handle adjustment.

APF 1850 Forward-Moving Vibratory Plate

“We used the APF 1850 for trench compaction and road patch work,” Karannagoda said. The machine can perform on soil, gravel, paving stones, asphalt and other surfaces.

“It has good compaction force and is a very durable machine,” he said.

A sprinkling system, which is optional on the APF 1850, proved to be a valuable feature. “It works well,” Karannagoda said.

What did all the machines bring to the provincial road jobsite? “Value,” Karannagoda said. “Ammann products have low fuel consumption, good compaction force and are very durable.”

Those qualities helped Rathne Construction reach targets on time – to help ensure the company is invited back for future governmental projects.