Used Road Roller for Sale from China: Compactor Buying and Export Guide

Every new road needs compaction, and a good used road roller is one of the fastest ways for a contractor in Africa or South America to add capacity without paying new-machine prices. Shanghai yards hold single-drum soil compactors, tandem asphalt rollers and pneumatic tyre rollers from Caterpillar, Dynapac, XCMG, SDLG, Shantui, LiuGong and SANY, many of them only two or three years old. This guide explains which roller fits your job, what to check on video, and how a used road roller from China is usually shipped.

Choose the right type of roller

• Single-drum vibratory soil compactors (20–26 ton): the core machine for road base, embankments, dams and airport earthworks. Examples in stock: XCMG XS263J (2022, 450 h), SDLG RS8220 (2023, 226 h) and Shantui SR2125S (2023, 288 h).
• Heavy single-drum rollers for rock fill: machines such as the Dynapac CA602D deliver high amplitude for rock fill and mining haul roads. Choose a padfoot drum for clay and cohesive soil.
• Tandem asphalt rollers: two smooth steel drums with water spray, used for the final asphalt layers. The Caterpillar CB534D is a well-known example and easy to service in most markets.
• Pneumatic tyre rollers: knead asphalt and sealing layers; useful when you already own a steel-drum roller.

See every unit currently listed under used road rollers. Stock moves quickly, so always confirm the unit, year and hours on a live video.

Video inspection checklist

1. Serial plate and hour meter in one uncut clip.
2. Cold start, smoke colour and idle; then check blow-by at the oil filler once warm.
3. Vibration system: switch between high and low amplitude while moving. Listen for knocking from the exciter bearings and watch for oil leaks at the drum ends.
4. Drum shell and scrapers: look for flat spots, cracks, deep scoring or welded repairs. On padfoot drums, check foot wear.
5. Drum isolators (rubber mounts): cracked or missing mounts transfer vibration into the frame and cab.
6. Drive and brakes: forward and reverse at full speed, then stop on a slope to test the parking brake.
7. Articulation joint and steering at full lock both ways.
8. Tandem rollers only: the water spray system must cover the full drum width with no blocked nozzles.
9. Tyres on single-drum machines: matching tread saves money on arrival.

Shipping a roller from Shanghai

A 20–26 ton single-drum roller normally ships by RoRo or on a flat rack; small tandem rollers can sometimes go inside a 40HQ or on an open-top container. RoRo is usually the cheapest option to ports such as Lagos, Tema, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Callao and Santos. Ask for both FOB Shanghai and CIF to your port so you can compare the landed cost, and check with your customs broker about age limits or pre-shipment inspection in your country. We photograph each machine and its serial plate before loading and prepare the commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading.

Build a full road-building fleet

Roller buyers often need a grader in the same shipment. Our used motor grader guide covers the CAT 140H, XCMG and SANY options, and our guides for Kenya, Ghana and South Africa and Peru and Chile explain the import paperwork.

Ask for a walk-around video

Send the roller type, operating weight, budget and destination port, and we will reply with available units and a live video. WhatsApp / Tel: +86 180 1734 8066 · www.ychs-machinery.com