Free roller / compactor 250-hour service checklist
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A step-by-step 250-hour (minor) service procedure for smooth drum rollers, padfoot rollers and pneumatic tyre rollers. Covers engine oil and filter change, air filter inspection, hydraulic system checks, drum condition and scraper bar inspection, vibration system check, greasing drum bearings, articulation joint and oscillation pivot, safety device testing and water spray system check. Includes fluid specifications, parts list and technician sign-off. This page explains what the service involves, how to perform it, and offers a free PDF-ready form you can download straight away.
Last updated: 2026-03-26 · MapTrack
Commercial Director
How to use: Fill equipment details and hour reading, then work through each service action. Tick Done as each task is completed. Record fluid quantities and part numbers used. Set the next service due hours and sign off.
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See the first part of the service procedure below. Enter your email above to download the full roller/compactor 250-hour service procedure (PDF-ready).
What is a roller/compactor 250-hour service?
A 250-hour service is the first tier of scheduled preventive maintenance for a roller or compactor (smooth drum, padfoot or pneumatic tyre). It is performed every 250 engine hours (or approximately every 4-6 weeks of full-time operation) and is classified as a minor service. The procedure covers engine oil and filter replacement, air filter inspection, fuel system maintenance, hydraulic system checks (vibration and propel circuits), drum condition inspection, scraper bar adjustment, vibration system operation check, greasing drum bearings, articulation joint and oscillation pivot, tyre checks (pneumatic tyre roller), safety device testing and water spray system inspection. Unlike a daily pre-start check (which confirms the machine is safe to operate), the 250-hour service involves actual maintenance actions: draining and replacing fluids, replacing filters, greasing components and inspecting wear items. It is typically performed by a qualified mechanic or fitter, not the operator.
Benefits of scheduled roller/compactor servicing
- Reduced breakdowns: regular oil, filter and fluid changes prevent engine and hydraulic failures that cause unplanned downtime on site.
- Vibration system reliability: checking vibration operation and greasing drum bearings at regular intervals prevents vibration motor and bearing failures.
- Lower repair costs: a 250-hour service costs a fraction of an emergency breakdown repair. Catching drum seal leaks and scraper bar wear early prevents cascading damage.
- Compaction quality: a well-maintained vibration system and correctly adjusted scraper bars ensure consistent compaction results.
- Compliance: documented service records demonstrate that equipment is maintained to WHS standards, supporting insurance and regulatory obligations.
- Resale value: a complete service history with documented 250, 500 and 1,000-hour services increases the machine's value at trade-in or auction.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you move from paper or static PDFs to digital forms in MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
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- Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
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- Electronic signatures.
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- Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
- Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).
Book a demo to see digital service procedures and hour-based scheduling in MapTrack.
Service actions included in the 250-hour procedure
This service procedure covers 19 service actions across 7 system areas:
- Engine: drain and replace engine oil (15W-40), replace oil filter, inspect air filter, drain fuel/water separator, check coolant level.
- Hydraulic system: check hydraulic oil level (vibration circuit and propel circuit), inspect hoses, fittings and cylinders for leaks.
- Drum / compaction: check drum condition (smooth drum surface or padfoot feet/tamping tips), inspect and adjust drum scraper bars, check vibration system operation (amplitude, frequency).
- Lubrication: grease drum bearings (both ends), grease articulation joint/centre pivot, grease oscillation pivot (if fitted).
- Tyres: check tyre pressures and condition (pneumatic tyre roller only).
- Safety devices: inspect ROPS structure and cab, check seatbelt, test lights, horn, reversing alarm and beacon, check mirrors and visibility aids.
- Water spray system: check nozzles, pump, tank and filter.
Fluid specifications
General fluid specifications for rollers and compactors. Capacities vary by machine size and manufacturer.
| System | Type / Grade | Approx. Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | 15W-40 CI-4 / CK-4 | 8 - 15 L |
| Hydraulic oil | ISO VG 46 (AW 46) | 40 - 80 L (system, may include vibration) |
| Coolant | 50/50 ethylene glycol | 10 - 20 L |
| Grease | EP2 lithium complex | As required |
Specifications are general guidelines. Always refer to the manufacturer's service manual for your specific make and model.
Parts and consumables
Have the following parts and consumables ready before starting the 250-hour service:
- Engine oil (15W-40 CI-4/CK-4) - 8-15 litres
- Engine oil filter - 1
- Fuel/water separator element - 1
- EP2 grease cartridges - 2-4
- Coolant (pre-mixed or concentrate) - as required for top-up
- Spray nozzles (if blocked) - as required
- Rags, drip tray and waste oil container
Look up part numbers in the manufacturer's parts manual for your specific make and model before ordering.
How to perform a roller/compactor 250-hour service
- Park the roller on level ground, engage the park brake and shut down the engine. Allow the engine to cool before draining oil.
- Record the equipment details and current hour meter reading at the top of the service procedure form.
- Start with the engine section: drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, fill with new oil to the correct level, then inspect the air filter, drain the fuel/water separator and check coolant.
- Check hydraulic oil level for both vibration and propel circuits. Inspect all hydraulic hoses, fittings and cylinders for leaks.
- Inspect the drum condition: check the smooth drum surface (or padfoot feet/tamping tips). Inspect scraper bars and adjust the gap. Test the vibration system for correct amplitude and frequency.
- Grease drum bearings (both ends), articulation joint/centre pivot and oscillation pivot (if fitted). Use EP2 lithium complex grease.
- Check tyre pressures and condition (pneumatic tyre roller only).
- Inspect the ROPS structure and cab. Check seatbelt, test all lights, horn, reversing alarm and beacon. Check mirrors and visibility aids.
- Check the water spray system: test nozzles, pump operation, tank level and filter condition.
- Start the engine and check for leaks, abnormal noises or warning lights. Record any defects or recommendations in the notes section.
- Set the next service due hours (next 250-hour and next 500-hour intervals). Sign off and update the machine's maintenance log.
In MapTrack, you can schedule services based on hour meter readings, get automatic reminders, complete service procedures on mobile and link every record to the machine. Book a demo to see how.
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Back to download formRoller/compactor service interval hierarchy
Roller and compactor maintenance follows a tiered schedule where each level includes all tasks from the level below. This is called carry-forward or cumulative servicing.
250 hours - Minor service (you are here)
Engine oil and filter, grease points, fluid levels, basic inspections. Estimated 1.5-2 hours.
500 hours - Intermediate service
All 250-hour tasks plus fuel filter, air filter, hydraulic return filter, vibration bearing check, brake inspection, water spray pump service. Estimated 2.5-3.5 hours.
1,000 hours - Major service
All 500-hour tasks plus hydraulic oil change, coolant flush, vibration motor service and full structural inspection. Estimated 6-8 hours.
2,000 hours - Overhaul service
All 1,000-hour tasks plus vibration bearing replacement, drum seal overhaul, hydraulic pump and motor assessment. Typically 2-3 days.
In MapTrack, you can configure service schedules by engine hours and receive automatic alerts when each interval is due.
Frequently asked questions
- What is included in a roller/compactor 250-hour service?
- A 250-hour roller/compactor service is a minor service that includes draining and replacing engine oil (typically 15W-40), replacing the engine oil filter, inspecting the air filter element, draining the fuel/water separator, checking coolant level, checking hydraulic oil level (vibration and propel circuits), inspecting hydraulic hoses and fittings, checking drum condition (smooth drum surface or padfoot feet/tamping tips), inspecting and adjusting drum scraper bars, checking vibration system operation (amplitude and frequency), greasing drum bearings, articulation joint, centre pivot and oscillation pivot, checking tyre pressures (pneumatic tyre roller), inspecting the ROPS structure and cab, checking seatbelt, testing lights, horn, reversing alarm and beacon, checking mirrors and visibility aids, and checking the water spray system (nozzles, pump, tank, filter). It takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
- How often should a roller or compactor be serviced?
- Rollers and compactors follow a tiered service schedule based on engine hours. A 250-hour (minor) service covers oil, filters, grease and basic inspections. A 500-hour (intermediate) service adds hydraulic filter replacement, fuel filter, air filter, vibration bearing checks, drum seal inspection, brake inspection and water spray pump service. A 1,000-hour (major) service adds hydraulic oil change, coolant flush, vibration motor service and full structural inspection. Daily pre-start checks are performed by the operator before each shift. Always refer to the manufacturer service manual for your specific make and model.
- What types of rollers does this service procedure cover?
- This service procedure is designed as a general guide for smooth drum rollers, padfoot (sheepsfoot) rollers and pneumatic tyre rollers. The core engine, hydraulic and lubrication tasks apply to all types. Drum-specific tasks (scraper bars, vibration system) apply to vibratory smooth drum and padfoot rollers. The tyre pressure check applies only to pneumatic tyre rollers. Always refer to your manufacturer service manual for model-specific procedures.
- Is the template free to use without MapTrack?
- Yes. Download and use the roller/compactor 250-hour service procedure for free. Open the file and use your browser's Print, then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account required. If you later want digital service procedures linked to each machine with scheduling by hours, cost tracking and alerts, we would be happy to show you MapTrack.
Need digital service procedures scheduled by engine hours?
Register every roller and compactor in MapTrack. Set up 250, 500 and 1,000-hour service schedules, complete procedures on mobile, track parts and costs, and get automatic alerts when the next service is due.
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