Patent ID: 7354222

Claim:
An asphalt compactor comprising: a first belted compactor unit having a plurality of rollers and a first compactor belt configured for compacting asphalt extending about the plurality of rollers, at least one of said rollers being a drive roller; a second belted compactor unit having a plurality of rollers and a second compactor belt configured for compacting asphalt extending about the plurality of rollers; a coupling frame pivotably connected with said first belted compactor unit at a first vertical axis, and pivotably connected with said second belted compactor unit at a second vertical axis, which is different from said first vertical axis; wherein said asphalt compactor is configured to be passed across hot asphalt distributed by an asphalt paver to compact the same; a first steering system including a first steering actuator operable to rotate said first belted compactor unit about said first vertical axis relative to said coupling frame; a second steering system including a second steering actuator operable to rotate said second belted compactor unit about said second vertical axis relative to said coupling frame; and belt heating means configured to heat said compactor belts; wherein said coupling frame has a first end positioned laterally of said first belted compactor unit, and a second end positioned laterally of said second belted compactor unit, each of said first and second vertical axes being laterally displaced from the respective belted compactor unit, and wherein said asphalt compactor further comprises first and second hoods extending at least partially over said first and second belted compactor units, respectively.