Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Steamroller
open-in-new
<p>A steamroller (or steam roller) is a form of <a href="/facts/Road_roller/bpHKysPJ">road roller</a> – a type of heavy construction machinery used for leveling surfaces, such as roads or airfields – that is powered by a <a href="/facts/Steam_engine/f7hN8vzm">steam engine</a>. The leveling/flattening action is achieved through a combination of the size and weight of the vehicle and the <i>rolls</i>: the smooth wheels and the large cylinder or drum fitted in place of treaded road wheels. </p><p>The majority of steam rollers are outwardly similar to <a href="/facts/Traction_engine/qblll37o">traction engines</a> as many traction engine manufacturers later produced rollers based on their existing designs, and the patents owned by certain roller manufacturers tended to influence the general arrangements used by others. The key difference between the two vehicles is that on a roller the main roll replaces the front wheels and axle that would be fitted to a traction engine, and the driving wheels are smooth-tired. </p><p>The word <i>steamroller</i> frequently refers to road rollers in general, regardless of the method of propulsion. </p>