Road roller mats press against the drum surface of a paving roller during operation, providing continuous brushing action that scrapes dirt, grit, and asphalt residue off the drum on every pass. Debris accumulates on the drum surface, disrupts even contact with the paved surface, and reduces compaction consistency across the job.
Kempf drum brushing mats for pavers are available in two construction styles, multiple standard roll widths, and any custom size. This article covers how each style works, what the material does, and how to match the right configuration to the roller on site.
The Brushing Problem: What Happens to Roller Drums Without a Mat
During asphalt paving operations, roller drums continuously pick up debris. Dirt, grit, and hot asphalt residue adhere to the drum surface with each compaction pass. As that material accumulates, the drum contacts the paved surface unevenly. Compaction consistency drops.
In heavy debris conditions, residue can harden directly onto the drum and require manual removal. That means downtime and added labor outside the production schedule.
A paving roller drum mat eliminates this problem passively, working automatically as the roller moves, requiring no operator input or extra labor, thereby simplifying maintenance and reducing stress for fleet operators.
This is a continuous-cleaning mechanism that operates while the machine is working.
Why Heavy Duty Coir Fiber Is the Right Material for This Application
Coir, the natural fiber derived from coconut husks, has physical properties that make it well-suited for drum brushing on paving equipment.
Coir fiber is naturally stiff and coarse. That stiffness produces real scraping action against the drum surface. Softer fibers compress under load and lose their brushing effectiveness early. Coir maintains structural integrity under repeated mechanical contact. The brushing performance holds through sustained field use.
The fiber’s structure also resists compressing flat under continuous rolling load. A mat that compresses loses its mechanical engagement with the drum surface. Coir’s natural coarseness maintains the physical contact needed to dislodge asphalt residue and fine debris with each rotation.
Every Kempf asphalt roller cleaning mat is constructed from heavy-duty coir fiber sourced through Kempf’s own production supply chain. That consistency in raw data on the expected lifespan, maintenance requirements, and factors influencing durability helps equipment managers evaluate long-term value.
Two Styles, Two Thicknesses: Choosing the Right Configuration
Kempf road roller mats are available in two construction styles. The difference between them is an operational specification that affects how the mat engages with the roller assembly.
Fully Woven Style
Construction: heavy-duty coir fiber, fully woven
Thickness: 2 inches
Profile: maximum fiber depth across the full mat cross-section
The fully woven style provides maximum brushing depth. All two inches of the mat thickness are active coir fiber. This configuration suits heavy-use conditions where debris accumulation is significant and aggressive brushing is required on each pass.
Vinyl Backed Style
Construction: heavy-duty coir fiber tufted onto a vinyl (PVC) base
Thickness: 1¼ inches
Profile: coir fiber layer over a rigid vinyl base
The vinyl-backed style adds dimensional stability through its PVC base. The backing holds the mat’s shape and position against the roller assembly. This is an operational advantage in configurations where mat placement benefits from a firmer, more stable base. The coir fiber layer still provides active drum brushing. The vinyl backing affects the mat’s structural behavior.
Selecting the right style is crucial; heavy debris favors the fully woven 2-inch mat, while applications that need stability benefit from the vinyl-backed 1¼-inch option, guiding users to make an effective choice.
Standard Roll Sizes and Custom Sizing
Road roller mats from Kempf are available in the following standard roll sizes:
- 4″ × 33′
- 6″ × 33′
- 8″ × 33′
- Large roll: 6′ × 33′
For equipment managers working with non-standard drum widths, Kempf can produce road roller mats in any custom size. This flexibility helps fleet operations avoid workarounds, ensuring a proper fit for diverse equipment and reducing the need for field adjustments.
Compatibility Across Major Road Paving Roller Manufacturers
Kempf road roller mats are compatible with all major road paving roller manufacturers. For fleet operators and equipment managers sourcing from multiple roller brands, this means a single mat supplier can cover the entire fleet. Cross manufacturer compatibility simplifies ordering, reduces supplier management overhead, and ensures consistent mat specification regardless of which roller units are on a given job.
Sourcing Road Roller Mats Directly from the Manufacturer
Kempf produces road roller mats at its own factories. These come directly from the manufacturer. That direct manufacturing model supports consistent material quality across orders and gives equipment managers a reliable point of contact for custom sizing requests and repeat procurement.
For fleet managers running multiple job sites with varied equipment configurations, working directly with the manufacturer allows sizing specifications to be addressed at the source. There is no intermediary layer between the procurement request and the production decision.
Getting the Right Mat for Your Roller Fleet
Road construction crews and equipment managers working with paving rollers need mats that hold up through continuous field use, fit the equipment on site, and can be sourced reliably. Kempf road roller mats are available in standard roll sizes and any custom dimension, in two construction styles suited to different roller configurations and debris conditions.
Contact Kempf today to discuss your drum width, custom sizing needs, or to select the best mat for your roller fleet. Our team is ready to assist you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are road roller mats used for?
Road roller mats are used to scrape dirt, grit, and asphalt residue off paving roller drums during compaction operations. The mat presses against the rotating drum surface, providing continuous brushing action. This keeps the drum surface clean on every pass, which supports consistent compaction quality across the paved surface.
What material are road roller mats made from?
Road roller mats are made from heavy-duty coir fiber, a natural fiber derived from coconut husks. Coir’s natural stiffness and coarseness produce effective scraping contact against the hard steel drum surface. The fiber maintains its structure under repeated mechanical loads, ensuring consistent brushing performance throughout the mat’s service life.
How thick are paving roller drum mats?
Kempf road roller mats come in two thickness profiles, depending on the style. The fully woven style is 2 inches thick, providing maximum fiber depth for aggressive brushing. The vinyl-backed style is 1¼ inches thick, with coir fiber tufted onto a PVC base that adds dimensional stability to the mat assembly.
What sizes do road roller mats come in?
Standard roll sizes from Kempf are 4″×33′, 6″×33′, 8″×33′, and a large roll at 6’×33′. Custom sizes are also available for equipment managers working with non-standard drum widths or multi-unit fleets that require a single roll width to fit several different roller configurations.
Are road roller mats compatible with all roller brands?
Kempf road roller mats are compatible with all major road paving roller manufacturers. This cross-brand compatibility is relevant for fleet operators and equipment managers who source rollers from multiple manufacturers and need a single mat supplier that covers the entire fleet.
What is the difference between a fully woven and a vinyl-backed roller mat?
The fully woven style is constructed entirely of heavy-duty coir fiber, 2 inches thick, providing maximum brushing depth for high-debris paving conditions. The vinyl-backed style uses coir fiber tufted onto a 1¼-inch-thick PVC base, which adds structural rigidity and helps maintain the mat’s position on the roller assembly. The right choice depends on roller configuration and the intensity of debris conditions on the job.
Can road roller mats be ordered in custom sizes?
Yes. Kempf can produce road roller mats in any custom size. This is particularly useful for equipment managers working with non-standard drum widths or fleet procurement situations where multiple roller models with different drum dimensions need to be covered by a single mat specification.
What happens to a paving roller drum without a cleaning mat?
Dirt, grit, and asphalt residue accumulate on the drum surface during compaction passes. That buildup disrupts even contact between the drum and the paved surface, which reduces compaction consistency. Over time, residue can harden on the drum, requiring manual removal and causing unplanned downtime on the job site.
Where are Kempf road roller mats manufactured?
Kempf road roller mats are produced at Kempf’s own factories and sourced through the company’s own production supply chain. This supports consistent material quality across orders without relying on distributors or third-party intermediaries.
How do we know which roller mat style is right for our equipment?
The selection comes down to two factors: the roller assembly configuration and the site debris conditions. Fully woven mats at 2 inches are suitable for heavy use and high-debris paving operations where maximum brushing depth is required. Vinyl-backed mats at 1¼ inches suit applications where mat positioning stability against the roller assembly is a priority. Contact Kempf with drum width specifications and roller model details to confirm the right configuration.