Construction Steam Roller
Maker and role
Wallis and Steevens Limited, Manufacturer
Cory, Wright and Salmon, Importers
Production date
1930-1931
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
1966.312
Production period
Description
Steam road roller - "Advance". 10 ton model, No.8006. Last pat. No.212957-22.
Imported by Cory, Wright and Salmon, Auckland and Wellington. Hubs pierced with circular holes. Reddish-brown in colour.
At 08/03/18 painted orange and black with white detailing.
Specifications:
Model: ‘Advance’ finishing roller
Engine: Steam, twin cylinder simple expansion
Working pressure: 965 kilopascals (140 psi)
HP: 6 nominal HP
Working weight: 10 tonnes
Imported by Cory, Wright and Salmon, Auckland and Wellington. Hubs pierced with circular holes. Reddish-brown in colour.
At 08/03/18 painted orange and black with white detailing.
Specifications:
Model: ‘Advance’ finishing roller
Engine: Steam, twin cylinder simple expansion
Working pressure: 965 kilopascals (140 psi)
HP: 6 nominal HP
Working weight: 10 tonnes
Brief History
In the 1920s and 1930s, New Zealand city councils were busy sealing dirt roads for cars as horses and carts were being replaced.
This Wallis and Steevens ‘Advance’ steam roller spent its working life in Auckland, as a finishing roller on tar-seal roads such as Tamaki Drive and Scenic Drive. The engine and rollers were carefully balanced to allow for an even distribution of weight, and the rear rollers could be tilted to allow for the camber of the road. The steam roller uses a twin cylinder engine. This meant a large flywheel was not used and this allowed for more efficient stopping and reversing.
Cory, Wright and Salmon, an engineering company, imported this steam roller from England. It then went to Robert Sanders & Co who leased machines to local councils and road boards. It was retired in the 1960s.
This Wallis and Steevens ‘Advance’ steam roller spent its working life in Auckland, as a finishing roller on tar-seal roads such as Tamaki Drive and Scenic Drive. The engine and rollers were carefully balanced to allow for an even distribution of weight, and the rear rollers could be tilted to allow for the camber of the road. The steam roller uses a twin cylinder engine. This meant a large flywheel was not used and this allowed for more efficient stopping and reversing.
Cory, Wright and Salmon, an engineering company, imported this steam roller from England. It then went to Robert Sanders & Co who leased machines to local councils and road boards. It was retired in the 1960s.
Marks
WALLIS & STEEVENS LTD / 10. TON ADVANCE ROLLER / No. 8006 / PATENTS / 202891-22 212957-22 / BASINGSTOKE ENGLAN Maker's Plate
JOHN BIRCH & CO. LTD. / ENGINEERS / LONDON Maker's Plate
JOHN BIRCH & CO. LTD. / ENGINEERS / LONDON Maker's Plate
Media/Materials
Other name
Advance
Credit Line
Wallis and Steevens Limited et al. 1930-1931. Construction Steam Roller, 1966.312. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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