Patent Publication Number: US-2021161056-A1

Title: Earth working roller

Description:
The present invention relates to an earth working roller, which may be used, in particular to fracture a solid substrate, for example, a concrete substrate. Earth working rollers of this type are also generally designated as crushing rollers. 
     A self-propelled earth working machine with an earth working roller designed as a crushing roller is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,873. The earth working roller of this known earth working machine comprises a cylindrical roller shell, which is mounted on a machine frame to be rotatable about a roller axis of rotation via a support structure provided in the interior of the roller shell. Multiple rows of earth working projections extending circumferentially in a zig-zag pattern are provided on the outer face of the roller shell. 
     DE 10 2013 208 261 A1 discloses an earth working roller in which earth working projections projecting beyond the outer periphery of the roller shell and annularly surrounding the same are provided on the outer periphery of a substantially cylindrical roller shell. 
     EP 3 031 526 B1 discloses a rotor for crushing stone which is usable in an impact mill. The rotor has approximately quadratic support disks on its two axial end regions, between which beater bars, provided for crushing stone, extend projecting radially outward. 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide an earth working roller for an earth working machine which provides an improved efficiency for earth working in a structurally simple design. 
     According to the invention, this problem is solved by an earth working roller comprising a support structure, wherein a plurality of first earth working units is provided extending substantially in the direction of the roller axis of rotation and/or a plurality of second earth working units extending substantially in the circumferential direction is provided on a radially outer region of the support structure to form a roller body rotatable about a roller axis of rotation. 
     The earth working roller structured according to the invention comprises, unlike earth working rollers known from the prior art, no roller shell substantially closing off the earth working bars in the radially outward direction. Due to the structure of the roller body comprising a support structure, for example, comprising a plurality of support disks or support struts and the earth working units provided thereon, a skeleton-like, basically radially outwardly open structure of the roller body is achieved. This structure is inherently basically very stiff, so that it is therefore able to bear the high footprint weight of an earth working machine necessary for crushing substrates, for example, concrete material, yet itself has a comparatively low mass. This is then particularly substantially advantageous if a vibration generating mechanism is assigned to this type of earth working roller, by means of which the earth working roller may be set into vibration to improve the crushing of the substrate. 
     In particular, it is hereby provided that the roller body is substantially designed as open radially outwardly in the outer peripheral region of the support disks. 
     As already stated, a plurality of support disks arranged consecutively in the direction of a roller axis of rotation and connected to one another may be provided to form a roller body, wherein [a] plurality of first earth working units extending substantially in the direction of the roller axis of rotation is provided on an outer peripheral region of at least one part of the support disks and/or the plurality of second earth working units extending substantially in the circumferential direction is provided on an outer peripheral region of at least one part of the support disks. 
     To support a rolling movement, the support disks may be designed with a substantially circular outer peripheral contour. Furthermore, at least a part of the support disks may comprise a plurality of support disk segments arranged spaced circumferentially apart from one another. This also contributes to a reduced total mass of the roller body. 
     In an alternative embodiment comprising a structure that likewise contributes to a low mass of the roller body, the support structure may comprise a plurality of support struts supporting in its radially outer region the plurality of first earth working units extending substantially in the direction of the roller axis of rotation and/or supporting the plurality of second earth working units extending substantially in the circumferential direction. 
     The support structure, for example, at least a part of the support disks, may be arranged surrounding a peripheral wall of a housing for a vibration generating mechanism. 
     For a compact, stable structure, it is proposed that the support disks arranged surrounding the peripheral wall be fixedly connected to the peripheral wall, and/or that in at least one axial end region of the roller body, at least one support disk is connected to the support disks arranged surrounding the peripheral wall by at least one part of the first earth working units, wherein it may be provided in an advantageous way that the support disks arranged surrounding the peripheral wall are fixedly connected to the peripheral wall by welding. 
     To generate an oscillating movement, for example, a vibration, thus an oscillating movement substantially orthogonal to the roller axis of rotation, overlapping a rolling movement of the earth working roller, it is proposed that a vibration generating mechanism with at least one unbalanced mass rotatable about an unbalanced axis of rotation is arranged in the housing, and/or that the housing is closed by an end wall in at least one axial end region, wherein the unbalanced axis of rotation preferably substantially corresponds to the roller axis of rotation, and/or an unbalanced drive motor, assigned to the at least one unbalanced mass, is mounted on an end wall. 
     An easy to manufacture, particularly stable structure may be achieved if at least one first earth working unit comprises an earth working bar fixedly connected to the support structure, for example, to at least one part of the support disks. Since according to the invention, the roller body comprises no roller shell on the outer peripheral region of the support structure, for example, of the support disks, the first earth working units or, in this embodiment the earth working bars, may themselves be directly mounted on the support structure designed as open, for example, as skeletal. 
     Advantageously, it may thereby be provided that each first earth working unit comprises an earth working bar, and/or that a plurality of earth working bars are arranged spaced circumferentially apart from one another. 
     Insofar as the support structure comprises support disks, that the at least one earth working bar is fixedly connected to all support disks, and/or that the at least one earth working bar is fixedly connected to at least one part of the support disks by welding. 
     To maintain a variable structure, easily renovated by welding, it is proposed that at least one first earth working unit comprises a tool carrier fixedly connected to at least one part of the support disks, and that an earth working tool is detachably connected or connectable to at least one tool carrier. Since in this structure, the tools used for working the ground are basically detachably connected to a respective tool carrier, different tools may be easily mounted on the roller body. Worn tools may be easily exchanged for new tools. 
     It may thereby be advantageously provided that each first earth working unit comprises a tool carrier, and/or that at least one tool carrier has a concave contour with respect to the outer periphery of the roller body, and/or that a plurality of tool carriers is arranged spaced circumferentially apart from one another. 
     In the embodiment of the support structure comprising support disks, the at least one tool carrier may be fixedly connected to each support disk, and/or the at least one tool carrier may be fixedly connected to at least one part of the support disks by welding. 
     For example, at least one earth working tool may be designed as an earth working bar. An earth working bar of this type then extends substantially parallel to the roller axis of rotation and may then cause a crushing of the substrate, when it strikes the substrate to be processed in the course of the rotation and thereby of the forward movement of the earth working roller, due to the forces abruptly introduced into the substrate. 
     For a stable connection of an earth working bar on a respective tool carrier, it is proposed that the earth working bar comprises a socket region designed for securing on a tool carrier and an earth working region projecting radially outward from the socket region in the case of [an] earth working tool mounted on a tool carrier. 
     A stable, yet easy to detach connection may be achieved in that at least one earth working tool is connected or connectable by screwing to its socket region and/or by clamping to a tool carrier. 
     In another embodiment, at least one earth working tool may comprise an earth working shell connected or connectable to at least two tool carriers, positioned or positionable in a peripheral region radially outwardly surrounding the support structure, for example, at least a part of the support disks optionally forming the support structure. 
     In order to thereby achieve a closed, easily realized structure of the earth working roller, it is proposed that a plurality of earth working shells consecutively following one another in the circumferential direction is connected or connectable to a tool carrier in both peripheral end regions. 
     If the support structure comprises support disks, it may be provided that at least one earth working shell is positioned or positionable in a peripheral region radially outwardly surrounding all support disks. 
     Furthermore, at least one earth working shell may be connected or connectable to the at least two tool carriers by screwing. 
     While this type of earth working shell may be designed as substantially smooth on its outer periphery so that an earth working roller thus designed may basically also be used as a compacting roller of a soil compactor, it may basically also be provided that at least one roller tool is mounted on at least one earth working shell. Thus, it is possible, in particular, to also provide one or more roller tools in axial regions between, for example, two support disks of the support structure. 
     In one embodiment advantageous with respect to weight, at least one earth working shell may be designed with a grid-like structure. 
     For example, it may be provided that at least one roller tool is mounted on each earth working shell, and/or that a plurality of roller tools is mounted on at least one earth working shell, and/or that at least one interchangeable holder is fixedly connected to at least one earth working shell and at least one roller tool is detachably connected or connectable to the at least one interchangeable holder. 
     At least one, preferably each roller tool may comprise a chisel. At least one, preferably each roller tool may also comprise a tamping foot. 
     For a stable connection of the earth working shells to the tool carriers provided on the outer periphery of the support disks, it is proposed that at least one earth working shell has in at least one peripheral end region a tool carrier engagement region adapted to a concave contour of a tool carrier. 
     At least one second earth working unit may comprise on the support structure, for example, on at least one support disk, at least one earth working projection projecting radially outward between at least two first earth working units consecutively following one another in the circumferential direction. In this case as well, a direct connection of the second earth working unit to the support disks is provided. 
     In particular, it may thereby be provided that at least one second earth working unit comprises at least one earth working projection on each support disk or on one or more similar components of the support structure. 
     It may additionally be provided that, for at least one second earth working unit, the at least one earth working projection has a circumferential spacing to the first earth working units accommodating this second earth working unit between themselves in the circumferential direction. 
     For an advantageous structure, in particular for crushing a solid substrate, it is proposed that, if the support structure comprises one or more support disks, then no second earth working unit is provided between at least two first earth working units consecutively following one another in the circumferential direction for at least one carrier disk. It may thereby additionally be provided, that, for at least one support disk, one second earth working unit is provided and no second earth working unit is provided in alternation between first earth working units consecutively following one another in the circumferential direction, and/or that, for support disks consecutively following one another in the direction of the roller axis of rotation, one second earth working unit is provided on one of the support disks and no second earth working unit is provided on the other support disk between first earth working units consecutively following one another in the circumferential direction. 
     A particularly stable, easily implemented structure may be achieved if at least one earth working projection forms an integral component of a support disk for at least one second earth working unit. Mounting separate components is thus not necessary. 
     For a structure easily adaptable to different working environments, it is proposed that at least one second earth working unit comprises at least one earth working projection carrier detachably connected or connectable to a support disk or to one or more similar components of the support structure. 
     This may be realized, for example, in that at least one second earth working unit comprises an earth working projection support portion on an outer peripheral region of a support disk or on one or more similar components of the support structure, and that an earth working projection carrier is connected or connectable to this support disk in the earth working projection support portion by screwing. 
     The present invention additionally relates to an earth working machine comprising at least one earth working roller designed according to the invention and mounted on a machine frame to be rotatable about the roller axis of rotation. 
     This type of earth working machine may be designed as a trailer machine which has no traction drive. Such an earth working machine may then be pulled or pushed by a towing machine, for example, a tractor, a bulldozer, or a soil compactor or the like, over the substrate to be processed. 
     In particular, if a vibration generating mechanism is then assigned to an earth working roller of this type of earth working machine, it may be provided that the earth working machine is hydraulically and/or mechanically coupled to a drive engine to provide the drive energy for a vibration generating mechanism provided in the at least one earth working roller. A mechanical coupling may be carried out, for example, by the mechanical coupling of the vibration generating mechanism to an auxiliary output shaft of a drive unit of the drive engine. A hydraulic coupling may be carried out by connecting to the hydraulic circuit of this type of drive engine. 
     In one alternative configuration, a drive unit may be provided on an earth working machine designed without its own traction drive to provide the drive energy for a vibration generating mechanism provided in the at least one earth working roller. 
     The earth working machine may alternatively designed as self-propelled and have a traction drive. 
     In this type of embodiment, a drive unit of the traction drive is provided to provide the drive energy for a vibration generating mechanism provided in the at least one earth working roller. Furthermore, a drive unit for the traction drive may be provided on the earth working machine, and a drive unit may be provided for the traction drive of a separately designed drive unit for the vibration generating mechanism of the at least one earth working roller. 
    
    
     
       The present invention is subsequently described in detail with respect to the enclosed figures. As shown in: 
         FIG. 1  an earth working roller in a perspective view; 
         FIG. 2  the earth working roller from  FIG. 1  in an axial view; 
         FIG. 3  the earth working roller from  FIG. 1  in a radial view; 
         FIG. 4  a perspective view corresponding to  FIG. 1  of an alternatively designed earth working roller; 
         FIG. 5  the earth working roller from  FIG. 4  in an axial view; 
         FIG. 6  a longitudinal sectional view of the earth working roller from  FIG. 5 , cutaway along a line VI-VI in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  a radial view of the earth working roller from  FIG. 5  with earth working tools applied thereon; 
         FIG. 8  an axial view of the earth working roller from  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  a perspective view of the earth working roller from  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  a partial axial view of the earth working roller from  FIG. 7  with the earth working tools partially detached therefrom; 
         FIG. 11  an earth working roller rolling on a substrate to be processed; 
         FIG. 12  a perspective view of an earth working roller with earth working troughs provided on the outer periphery of a roller body with roller tools supported on tool holders; 
         FIG. 13  a partial axial view of the earth working roller from  FIG. 12  with an earth working trough detached therefrom; 
         FIG. 14  a perspective view of an earth working roller with earth working troughs provided on the outer periphery of a roller body; 
         FIG. 15  a partial axial view of the earth working roller from  FIG. 14  with an earth working trough detached therefrom; 
         FIG. 16  a perspective partial view of another alternatively configured earth working roller; 
         FIG. 17  a depiction of another alternatively configured earth working roller corresponding to  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  a self-propelled earth working machine with an earth working roller according to  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 19  a drive system for the vibration generating mechanism of the earth working roller of the earth working machine from  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  an earth working machine trailer with an earth working roller according to  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 21  a drive system for the vibration generating mechanism of the earth working roller of the earth working machine from  FIG. 18 . 
     
    
    
       FIGS. 1 through 3  show a first embodiment of an earth working roller generally designated with reference numeral  10  which may be used to crush a solid substrate, for example, a concrete substrate. Earth working roller  10  comprises in this embodiment a support structure  11  with a plurality of support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  arranged in series in the direction of a roller axis of rotation A. Support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  are basically configured as annular and are formed with a substantially circular contour on their outer periphery. Support disks  14 ,  16 ,  18  lying in the central region of earth working roller  10  are arranged surrounding a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall  22  of a housing generally designated with  24  and are secured on the outer surface of peripheral wall  22  by welding. Housing  24  is connected at both axial ends via an end wall  26  or  28 . Earth working roller  10  is mounted in the region of said end walls  26 ,  28  to be rotatable about roller axis of rotation A on a machine frame of an earth working machine, subsequently described in greater detail. A vibration generating mechanism, likewise to be subsequently described in greater detail, is arranged in the interior of housing  24 , and by means of which an oscillation, oriented preferably substantially orthogonal to roller axis of rotation A, generally also designated as a vibration, may be superimposed on a rolling movement of earth working roller  10  about roller axis of rotation A carried out in the earth working operation. 
     First earth working units  30  extending substantially in the direction of roller axis of rotation A are provided on the outer peripheral region of support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 . In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , each earth working unit  30  comprises an earth working bar  32 . Recesses, open radially outwardly are designed on the outer peripheral region of support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  and are assigned to earth working bars  32  of first earth working unit  30 , and earth working bars  32  are inserted into said recesses so that they project radially outwardly beyond the circular base outer periphery  34  of support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  and thus, with a respective earth working region  37 , may come into contact with the substrate to be processed. Earth working regions  37  may have, as is clear in the figures, for example, two processing edges formed by surfaces extending orthogonal to one another. 
     Earth working bars  32  are fixedly connected to support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  by welding so that basically a skeletal structure of a roller body  36  open radially outward is provided, formed substantially using support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  36 , housing  24 , and first earth working units  30  or earth working bars  32  of the same. It is thereby clear, in particular in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , that support disks  14 ,  20  provided in the respective axial end regions of roller body  36  are only connected via first earth working units  30  to roller body  36  or other support disks  14 ,  16 ,  18 . In order to maintain access as freely as possible to end walls  26 ,  28  of housing  24 , support disks  12 ,  20  may be formed with a larger opening provided in the interior region of the same than support disks  14 ,  16 ,  18  connected to peripheral wall  22  of housing  24 . 
     In addition, second earth working units  38  are provided on support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 . In the embodiment shown, these are integral with support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  28 ,  20 , thus designed as one piece, and comprise earth working projections  40  projecting radially outward beyond base outer periphery  34  of support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 . Said earth working projections extend in each case in the circumferential direction between two directly adjacent first earth working units  30  or earth working bars  32  of the same in such a way that they end edge-like at a circumferential spacing to the same. Earth working projections  40  preferably have a radial projection height beyond base outer periphery  34  of support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  in such a way that they define the same outer radius as earth working bars  32  define with their earth working regions  37 . Earth working projections  40 , just like earth working regions  37  of earth working bars  32 , thus contact a fictive cylindrical surface surrounding roller body  36 . It is clear in  FIG. 1 , that for each support disk  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , one second earth working unit  38  is provided or no second earth working unit  38  is provided in alternation between two first earth working units  30  directly adjacent in the circumferential direction. A corresponding pattern is provided when viewed in the axial direction. In the direction of roller axis of rotation A for consecutive support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , one second earth working unit  38  is provided or no second earth working unit  38  is provided in alternation between two respective first earth working units  30 . 
     Due to the skeletal structure of roller body  36 , open radially outward, an earth working roller  10  is provided with an inherently high stability yet at a comparatively low net weight. This means, that during generation of a vibration by a vibration generating mechanism arranged in housing  24 , the mass of earth working roller  10  to be set into vibration is comparatively low, so that this vibration, thus, for example, a vibration movement or vibration acceleration, may be used very efficiently for impact-like crushing of the substrate upon which earth working roller  10  rolls. 
     One alternative embodiment of an earth working roller  10  is depicted in  FIGS. 4 through 6 . It is clear in  FIGS. 4 through 6  that tool carriers  42  of the respective first earth working units  36  are provided sequentially in the circumferential direction and respectively formed as tray-like or trough-like and thus concave when viewed from a radially outward direction, on the outer peripheral region of support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  arranged sequentially in the circumferential direction. Tool carriers  42  are fixedly connected to support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  by welding. 
     Similarly, second earth working units  38 , depicted in the embodiment from  FIGS. 4 through 6 , each comprise earth working projection support regions  44  on the outer peripheral region of support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 . A similar arrangement pattern is clear in this case, as was previously described. It is clear in  FIG. 5 , that one earth working projection support region  44  is provided or no earth working projection support region  44  is provided in alternation in the circumferential direction on each support disk  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  between two respective first earth working units  30  or trough-like tool carriers  42  of the same directly adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction, wherein a corresponding alternating arrangement is also realized in the axial sequence of support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  between two respective tool carriers  42  of first earth working units  42  directly adjacent to one another in the circumferential direction. 
       FIGS. 7 through 10  show earth working roller  10 , previously described with reference to  FIGS. 4 through 6 , with earth working bars  48  detachably applied on tool carriers  42  of first earth working units  36  and operating as earth working tools  46 , just like in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 through 3 . As is particularly clear in  FIG. 10 , earth working bars  48  are designed with a socket region  50  shaped with an expanding, for example, trapezoidal shape and an earth working region  52  projecting radially outward therefrom. To secure earth working bars  48  on respective tool carriers  42 , fixing strips  54 ,  56  are used, which extend along earth working bar  50 , and which are adapted on the one side to the profile of socket region  50  and on the other side to the concave profile of tool carrier  42  and thus in the mounted state, together with earth working bar  48  respectively clamped on tool carrier  42  by said fixing strips, substantially completely fill in the interior of concave tool carrier  42 . Fixing strips  54 ,  56  may, for example, be secured on tool carriers  42  by screw bolts  58 , by which means a stable clamping of earth working bars  48  is achieved. Earth working bars  48  and fixing strips  54 ,  56  assigned to the same preferably extend across the entire axial length of tool carrier  42 . 
     Second earth working units  38 , assigned to earth working projection support portion  44  provided on support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , comprise earth working projection carriers  60  configured as arc shaped segments designed as separate components, which may encompass earth working projection support portion  44  in a U shape from radially outward. These are dimensioned, for example, such that they extend in each case completely between two earth working bars  48  or earth working regions  52  of the same directly adjacent in the circumferential direction and have an enlarged radial projection height in the circumferential spacing to earth working regions  52  and thus form earth working projections  62 . In these regions with increased radial projection height, earth working projection carriers  60  designed as separate components preferably end at the same level, like earth working regions  52  of earth working bars  48 . 
     Like fixing strips  54 ,  56 , earth working projection carriers  60  of second earth working units  38  also designed as separate components may be secured on roller body  36 , in particular on support disks  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 , by screwing. 
     The embodiment previously described with reference to  FIGS. 4 through 10  has the advantage that it facilitates an exchangeability of earth working bars  48  or earth working projection carriers  60  coming into contact with the substrate to be processed as a stable configuration. Due to this configuration, earth working bars  48  or earth working projection carriers  60  designed with different shapes may also be easily provided on roller body  36  so that an earth working roller  10  designed thusly may be easily adapted to different applications. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates how an earth working roller  10  provided with the preceding structure enters into interaction with substrate  64  to be worked. It is clear on the one hand that there, where earth working bars  32  or  48  come into contact with substrate  64  with their respective earth working regions  37  or  52 , fracture lines L 1  arise extending substantially transverse to movement direction R of earth working roller  10 , and which extend substantially uninterrupted across the entire axial extension length of earth working roller  10 . In movement direction R, fracture lines L 2  always arise, extending in each case between two fracture lines L 1 , where earth working projections  40  or  62 , arranged axially and radially alternating, come into contact with substrate  64 . Thus, substrate  64 , thus, for example, a concrete substrate to be broken up, is broken into a plurality of sheet portions P lying offset to one another, which may then be comparatively easily removed by another earth working machine, for example a backhoe or the like. For example, first and second earth working units  30 ,  38  may be distributed across the outer periphery of earth working roller  10  such that a maximum mutual spacing of fracture lines L 1  of 50-70 cm is created, while the mutual spacing of fracture lines L 2  is approximately double the spacing of fracture lines L 1 . Segments are thus generated that may be easily supplied for further processing. 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate that roller body  36 , as previously described with reference to  FIGS. 4 through 10 , may also be used in other ways. In particular, earth working shells  66  may be provided as earth working tools  46  extending in the direction of roller axis of rotation A, preferably across the entire length of earth working roller  10  or of roller body  36 , on tool carriers  42  of first earth working units  30 . These are preferably dimensioned such that they each extend in the circumferential direction across three tool carriers  42  in such a way that they engage halfway into a respective tool carrier  42  using a tool carrier engagement region  68 ,  70  respectively provided on a peripheral end region, wherein tool carrier engagement regions  68 ,  70  are adapted to the concave shape of tool carrier  42  so that the tool carrier engagement regions of two earth working shells  66  consecutively following one another in the circumferential direction together completely fill in one of concave tool carriers  42 , and are secured thereon by screw bolts  72 . In one central region in the circumferential direction, earth working shells  66  have another tool carrier engagement region  74 , which is positioned and shaped so that it substantially completely fills in or completely contacts one tool carrier  42  completely straddled by a respective earth working shell  66  in the circumferential direction. In this way, an increased supporting stability of earth working shells  66  is guaranteed. 
     Roller body  36  is completely closed toward the outside by earth working shells  66  arranged consecutively following one another in the circumferential direction. In the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , multiple interchangeable holders  76  are secured on the outer side of earth working shells  66 , for example, by welding. Roller tools  78 , in the example depicted, chisels  80 , may be detachably inserted into interchangeable holders  76  so that, on the one hand, a corresponding exchange may be carried out to replace roller tools  78  with other roller tools, for example, tamping feet or the like, and on the other hand, worn roller tools may be replaced by new roller tools. 
       FIGS. 14 and 15  show a configuration in which no tool holders or roller tools or other formations are provided on earth working shells  66  on the outer side. Earth working shells  66  thus form a substantially smooth configuration, closed in the circumferential direction, so that an earth working roller  10  designed thusly may be used, for example, for compacting a substrate. This shows the high variability of an earth working roller  10 , which is designed with a skeletal roller body  36 , basically open radially outwardly, with tool carriers  42  of first earth working units  30  provided thereon. In the configuration, previously described with reference to  FIGS. 12 through 15 , in which earth working shells  66  are connected on an outer periphery of a roller body  36  designed in this way, earth working projection support regions  44  of second earth working units  38  are substantially not used or merely function for radial support of the regions extending thereabove of earth working shells  66 . 
     Earth working shells  66  depicted in  FIGS. 12-15  may also be configured in another way. For example, bar-like roller tools may be secured on the outer surface of earth working shells  66 , for example, by welding or screwing or the like. These types of roller tools may, for example, be arranged extending in a zig-zag course in the circumferential direction about the roller axis of rotation, or may extend in a circular ring shape about the roller axis of rotation and/or may extend substantially in the direction of the roller axis of rotation. Furthermore, earth working shells  66  themselves may have an open structure, for example, a grid-like structure in which openings are formed between a plurality of struts forming this open structure. These struts forming the grid-like structure may extend running partially in the circumferential direction, in the direction of the roller axis of rotation or obliquely thereto, and may themselves be effective or designed as roller tools, or may be designed as tool carriers on which additional roller tools coming into contact with the substrate to be processed may be secured by screwing. 
       FIGS. 16 and 17  show alternative embodiment variants of support structure  11  of roller body  36  in a sectional view. In  FIG. 16 , for example, it is clear in conjunction with support disk  14 , that this comprises a plurality of segments  14   a ,  14   b ,  14   c ,  14   d ,  14   e , which each are arranged spaced circumferentially apart from one another and respectively support in their radially outer region two first earth working units  30  or earth working bars  32  of the same. The other support disks, in particular support disks  16 ,  18  fixedly connected to peripheral wall  22  of housing  24 , may also be designed in this type of segmented way. 
     In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 17 , support structure  11  is constructed using, for example, a plurality of support struts  35  extending, for example, substantially radially, and likewise connected to peripheral wall  22  of housing  24 . These may, for example, be provided following one another annularly in the circumferential direction where the support disks connected to peripheral wall  22  are positioned in the previously described embodiment; however, they may equally be arranged at other axial positions and axially offset to one another. 
     First earth working units  30 , for example, earth working bars  32  of the same, or also previously described tool carriers  42 , extending in the radial direction, are secured on the radially outer end regions of support struts  35 , e.g., by welding. Second earth working units  38  are provided in the circumferential direction between support struts  35  or first earth working units  30  connected thereto. These may, as in the case of support disk  12 , be combined into a ring and may be connected on the one side to the radially outer ends of support struts  35 , for example, by welding, and on the other side may support first earth working units  30 . Alternatively, segments  39  may be provided between support struts  35  or first earth working units  30 , consecutively following one another in the circumferential direction, of which, for example, each second segment  39  in the circumferential direction has an earth working projection  40  projecting radially outward. The distribution of segments  39  having respective earth working projections  40  may be as previously described. Thus, a sequence of segments  39  having earth working projections  40  and segments  39  having no earth working projections  40  may be provided both in the circumferential direction as well as in the axial direction. In the meaning of the present invention, segments  39  may thus replace the regions of the support disks positioned there in the previously described embodiments and may completely take over their functionality. In particular, it might also be provided that second earth working units  38  comprise earth working projections designed as separate components or tools and may then be secured on segments  39  designed for accommodating the same as earth working projection carriers. 
       FIG. 17  further illustrates that reinforcing struts may be provided for increasing the stability of support struts  35  and optionally connected to housing  24 . Thus, reinforcing struts  51  may be provided, which, for example, fixedly connect adjacent support struts  35  running in the circumferential direction to one another. As illustrated by way of reinforcing struts S 2  and S 3 , multiple struts of this type may also be positioned staggered in the radial direction. Reinforcing struts S 4 , S 5  show that a cross-wise or intersecting arrangement is also possible. Reinforcing strut S 6  shows that, in particular, the axial end regions of first earth working units  30 , which axially project beyond housing  24 , may be supported relative to housing  24  by reinforcement struts so that, optionally support disk  12  visible there may be omitted. 
     Reference is made to the fact that these types of reinforcing struts may be provided assigned to all support struts  35  or earth working units, wherein different configurations of reinforcing struts may be provided assigned to different support struts. Support structure  11  may also comprise a combination of support disks and support struts or reinforcing struts in order to achieve a further increased rigidity of roller body  36  in this way. 
       FIG. 18  shows an earth working machine, generally designated with  92 , on which an earth working roller  10 , designed according to the invention, is used, for example, with the structure explained in  FIGS. 4 through 10 . The earth working machine, basically designed according to a type of soil compactor, comprises wheels  84 , driven by a drive unit (not shown) on a rear end  82  for forward movement of earth working machine  80 . A control platform  86 , in which an operating person may be accommodated for operating earth working machine  92 , is additionally provided on rear end  82 . A front end  88  comprises a machine frame  90 , articulately connected to rear end  82 , on which earth working roller  10  is rotatably mounted between two supports  94 ,  96 . As previously already set forth, this rotatable connection may be carried out, for example, via end walls  26 ,  28  of housing  24  provided in the central region of earth working roller  10 . 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a vibration generating mechanism  98  arranged in the interior of earth working roller  10 , in particular in the interior of housing  24 . Said vibration generating mechanism comprises in the example depicted two unbalanced masses  100 ,  102  which are mounted on an unbalanced shaft  104  to be rotatable about an unbalanced axis of rotation U substantially corresponding to roller axis of rotation A. An unbalanced drive motor  106  may, for example, be arranged in the interior of housing  24  or may be mounted on one of two end walls  26 ,  28 . In the example depicted, unbalanced drive motor  106  is designed as a hydraulic motor, which is supplied with hydraulic fluid via a hydraulic pump  108 . Hydraulic pump  108 , which preferably has a variable delivery rate, may, for example, be driven by a drive unit  110  of earth working machine  92 , for example, an auxiliary drive of drive unit  110 ; however, it may also basically be driven by a drive unit designed separately from the drive unit provided for the traction drive of earth working machine  10 . Basically, hydraulic pump  108  may also be integrated into the hydraulic circuit basically provided on earth working machine  92 , or may represent the same so that, for example, when using corresponding valve units, unbalanced drive motor  106  may be supplied with pressurized fluid in a suitable way in earth working operation. 
     An alternative embodiment variant of an earth working machine  112  is depicted in  FIG. 20 . Earth working machine  112  from  FIG. 20  is an earth working machine trailer, which does not have its own traction drive. Earth working machine  112  comprises a machine frame  114  with two supports  116 ,  118  rotatably supporting earth working roller  10 . Earth working machine  112  may be coupled via a trailer drawbar  120  to a towing vehicle, for example, a tractor, a soil compactor, a bulldozer or another construction machine, in order to be pulled or pushed by the same and thereby moved across the substrate to be processed. 
     Reference is made to the fact that a hydraulically and/or mechanically acting transmission mechanism may be provided on this type of earth working machine trailer  112 , via which transmission mechanism earth working roller  10  may be driven to rotate by coupling to a drive unit of towing vehicle  124 . Even though a torque may be transferred to earth working roller  10  via the transmission mechanism in this type of configuration, in the meaning of the present invention, this type of earth working machine trailer  112 , in which the energy for transferring a torque to earth working roller  10  is provided by a drive unit provided on towing vehicle  124 , is basically not considered to be a self-propelled earth working machine, but instead is considered to be an earth working machine trailer, as this type of earth working machine may not be operated without coupling to the towing vehicle providing the drive energy. 
     In order to be able to use an earth working roller  10  with a vibration generating mechanism  98  assigned to the same in the design of an earth working machine  112  depicted in  FIG. 18 , hydraulic pump  108 , as depicted in principle in  FIG. 21 , may be mechanically coupled to an auxiliary output shaft  122  of a drive unit of a towing machine  124  functioning as the traction drive or to another power take off shaft of towing machine  124 . Hydraulic circuit  109  comprising pump  108  and hydraulic motor  106  is thereby preferably provided completely on earth working machine  112 . Hydraulic pump  108  is driven by auxiliary output shaft  122 , wherein this is designed with a variable delivery rate in order to be able to adjust the amount of hydraulic fluid conveyed in this way and thus also to adjust the speed of hydraulic motor  106 . In one alternative embodiment, a separate drive unit  126  may be provided, assigned to hydraulic pump  108  or to vibration generating mechanism  98 , which may be used for operating hydraulic pump  108  and thus vibration generating mechanism  98  independently from the drive unit provided for the traction drive of towing machine  124 . This drive unit  126  may, for example, be provided on earth working machine  112  together with hydraulic circuit  109 , so that the energy required for driving vibration generating mechanism  98  may be generated at earth working machine  112  itself and may be transferred to this mechanism. 
     Finally, reference is made to the fact that the previously described earth working roller may be varied in the most varied aspects, without deviating from the principles of the present invention. Thus, for example, earth working bars extending in the direction of the roller axis of rotation, just like the tool carriers of the first earth working units, might also be arranged spaced apart from one another and/or be provided as segments lying offset from one another in the circumferential direction. Also, the support disks, designed substantially with a circular outer peripheral contour, might be designed as polygons in order to achieve a contour approximating a circular shape in this way. It is important for a substantially uniform rolling movement, that the earth working regions of the earth working units coming into contact with the substrate lie approximately on a common cylindrical surface. 
     To process the substrate, the earth working units or the earth working regions of the same may be designed with different contours. Thus, these edged contours visible in the figures may have an approximately rectangular cross section. Alternatively, the or at least some of the earth working regions may be designed with a tapered, thus wedge-like contour.