The Cambridge roller is more versatile and gentler on the soil – it levels the surface well and is suitable for post-sowing rolling. The Crosskill roller has toothed, cast iron rings, which allow it to work more aggressively, break up clods more effectively, and is better suited for heavier, compact soils. In practice, the Cambridge rings offered by Rolmako are chosen for levelling and pressing, while the Crosskill rings are selected for more intensive soil conditioning.

The Campbell roller is mainly used after ploughing, especially on heavier and clay soils. Its job is to press the loosened soil, break up clods, and speed up field preparation for sowing. It is a good choice when the field is too loose, uneven, or losing moisture quickly after ploughing.

A prismatic roller, such as the ORION from Rolmako's range, is used for levelling the field, pressing the soil, and maintaining grassland. Unlike Cambridge, Crosskill, and Campbell rollers, it has rings with a prismatic profile that apply point pressure to the soil and work well on turf. This makes it ideal for establishing and regenerating meadows and pastures, improving seed-to-soil contact, and promoting grass tillering.

A Rolmako roller with a levelling drag (e.g., Crossboard) is a good choice when the roller alone may not be enough to level the field properly. The drag helps to break up clods, fill in small depressions, and prepare a more even surface for the rings to work on. This configuration is particularly effective on fields after ploughing, after deeper cultivation, or on sites that require more intensive preparation before sowing.

The choice of working width depends on the tractor's power, but also on the roller's weight, the attachment method, the field's topography, and soil conditions. For example, Rolmako rollers with a width of 6.2 m require a tractor with at least 105 HP – however, this should be treated as an indicative parameter for a specific machine/configuration, not a universal rule for every 6.2 m roller. A greater width increases efficiency but also places higher demands on the tractor during operation, turning, and transport. It's safest to choose a roller that allows the tractor to maintain a constant working speed without excessive slip or overload, rather than operating at its limit.

A trailed roller is a good choice for rolling a field as a standalone operation, especially when a wide working width, efficiency, and even ground contouring are important. A roller for the front three-point linkage serves a different purpose: it works as part of a combination, preparing the soil ahead of a machine mounted on the tractor's rear linkage. If the goal is a separate rolling operation, choose a trailed roller; if you want to combine several operations in a single pass, consider a front-mounted roller, available in many configurations from Rolmako.

Rollers for the front three-point linkage can be found in another category: Machines mounted on the front three-point linkage.

For work on meadows and pastures, the ORION prismatic roller is worth considering. It helps to press down the turf, improve seed-to-soil contact, and stimulate grass tillering. An additional advantage is the good self-cleaning action of the rings during operation.

Yes, soil rolling can reduce the drying out of the topsoil, especially after sowing. Pressing a top layer that is too loose improves capillary rise, allowing water from deeper layers to reach the seed zone more easily. However, the effect depends on the conditions: the soil should be slightly moist but not wet, as excessive compaction can reduce air supply and hinder emergence.

No. Rolling wet soil usually does more harm than good. The rolling machine can compact it too much, reduce air supply to the roots, and leave a crusted surface after it dries. It is best to go in when the soil is slightly moist but does not stick to the rings and does not deform under the roller's pressure.

Yes, especially when the field is too loose, uneven, or cloddy after ploughing. A roller helps to settle the loosened soil, break up clods, and level the field surface before the next operation. Heavier rollers, such as the Campbell roller from Rolmako, are often chosen for this task, but the final choice depends on soil moisture, the degree of cloddiness, and the planned sowing date.

Rolling is usually carried out at a moderate speed, often in the range of about 6–10 km/h, depending on the rolling machine type, soil, and working conditions. However, it's important to remember that this is an indicative value – the most important thing is for the machine to operate stably, without bouncing, and to press the surface evenly. If the result after a pass is uneven or the roller loses contact with the ground, the speed is probably too high.

Meadows and pastures are most often rolled in the spring, after the frosts have subsided, when the turf has been lifted by frost and needs to be pressed back down to the ground. The soil should be partially dry but not completely dried out. You should not roll when it is too wet and boggy, as this can force air out of the soil and cause excessive compaction.

Yes, rolling can support the regeneration of grassland, especially after winter. This treatment presses the sward down to the ground, levels the surface, and improves the contact of roots and newly sown seeds with the soil. For maintaining meadows and pastures, the Rolmako ORION prismatic roller is a good choice, as it can stimulate grass tillering and support sward renewal.

A well-executed rolling job leaves an even, stable surface without deep ruts, marks from the machine bouncing, or distinct strips from the roller sections. Clods should be partially broken up, and the soil should be lightly pressed but not capped or compacted into a hard crust. After sowing, good seed-to-soil contact is also important, with no areas where seeds are left exposed or covered by an uneven layer of soil.

A roller may do a poor job of breaking up clods if the soil is too dry, the clods are too hard, or the selected roller has insufficient clod-breaking action. It's worth checking whether:

• the soil is not too dry,
• the working speed is not too high,
• the roller has good contact with the ground.

If the clods remain large and hard despite adjustments, the problem may be due to the soil conditions or a roller configuration that is too weak for the site. A Crosskill roller, Campbell roller, or a roller with steel rings from the agricultural machinery manufacturer Rolmako range may be better suited for such conditions.

A roller most often gets clogged with soil when the soil is too wet, sticky, or has a high clay content. First, check whether:

• the soil does not smear under pressure,
• the rings and scrapers are clean,
• the scrapers are correctly adjusted,
• the working speed is not causing soil to build up on the roller.

If soil is sticking heavily to the rings, continuing to work usually worsens the rolling effect and can lead to excessive surface compaction. It is probably best to postpone the treatment until the field has dried out slightly.

If the field is still uneven after rolling, it's worth checking that the roller is following the ground contours well and is working across its full width. The cause could be excessive speed, insufficient down pressure, uneven operation of the sections, or clods that are too large for the roller to break up on its own. Make sure that:

• the roller does not bounce during operation,
• all sections have even contact with the ground,
• the operating speed is not too high,
• the chosen rolling machine type is suitable for the soil's cloddiness.

If the field is very uneven, rolling alone may not be enough. In that case, it is better to first level the field with another implement or use a roller equipped with a levelling drag.

Excessive compaction is most often caused by excessive soil moisture, a roller that is too heavy, or a mismatch between the machine and the field conditions. First, check whether:

• the soil is not too wet or plastic,
• the roller is not too heavy for the current conditions,
• the pass is not being made too slowly with excessive downforce,
• it might be better to postpone the operation until the field has dried out a little,
• a gentler type of roller might be better suited for these conditions.

If the surface becomes hard, slick, or crusted after a pass, it is advisable to stop the operation and return to the field when conditions have improved.

A bouncing roller usually indicates that the machine is losing even contact with the ground. This can be caused by driving too fast, hard and cloddy soil, an uneven field, or incorrect hitch settings. First:

• reduce your speed,
• check the contact between the roller sections and the ground,
• check that the machine is correctly hitched and adjusted in relation to the tractor,
• assess whether the field needs to be levelled or cultivated beforehand.

If the roller loses contact with the soil, it results in poorer field levelling, less effective clod breaking, and uneven compaction.

The problem usually stems from soil conditions if it only occurs at a specific moisture level, after a particular treatment, or on a selected part of the field. A problem with the choice of roller is more likely when the machine consistently fails to produce the desired effect. It is worth checking whether:

• the soil is not too wet, dry, or cloddy,
• the problem occurs across the entire field or only in specific areas,
• the roller is suitable for the desired effect: levelling, crumbling, consolidation, or turf care,
• a similar problem recurs in subsequent seasons.

If it is difficult to determine the cause, it is worth consulting with agricultural machine producer Rolmako advisors and providing them with the roller model, soil conditions, moisture level, degree of cloddiness, and the effect after a pass. Specialists can help assess whether the problem is due to working conditions, settings, or the need to choose a different type of roller, e.g., a Cambridge, Crosskill, Campbell, ORION prismatic roller, or a roller with steel rings.