A sheep's foot roller is a type of compaction roller characterized by a large drum or cylinder fitted with numerous rectangular or hexagonal 'feet' protruding from its surface. As it rolls over a surface, these projections knead and penetrate the soil to achieve compaction. Sheep's foot rollers are especially effective in tackling fine-grained soils, clay, or silty materials, as their tamping action helps eliminate air pockets and condense the soil more efficiently than rollers with smooth drums. They're frequently used in large construction projects, particularly in creating embankments or foundation layers. However, they're not ideal for all types of soils—for instance, granular soil or non-cohesive soil, which responds better to the smooth drum or vibratory rollers.