Find the Best Roadheaders for Hire Near You

A Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) and a roadheader are both used for excavation, but they differ in operation, size, and application. A TBM is a massive, circular machine designed for continuous, large-diameter tunnel excavation, typically used in metro, railway, and highway projects. It operates with a rotating cutting wheel that removes material as it advances, creating a pre-formed tunnel with smooth walls.

In contrast, a roadheader is a more flexible and compact machine with a powerful transversal cutter head mounted on a boom, allowing selective excavation of different materials, including hard rock, mixed strata, and soft ground. Roadheaders are commonly used for smaller tunnels, underground mining, and short-distance excavation, offering greater manoeuvrability and adaptability than TBMs.

The cost of hiring a roadheader varies based on factors such as machine size, cutting power, project duration, and hire type (wet or dry hire). On average, wet hire rates range from $3,500 to $12,000 per day, while dry hire rates range from $2,500 to $8,500 per day. Large-scale models with higher cutting power and weight capacity generally cost more to hire.

Additionally, extra costs such as mobilisation, operator fees, maintenance, and insurance may apply, significantly impacting the total hire cost. For an accurate quote, it is recommended to consult iseekplant’s supplier network and request a customised price estimate.

Roadheaders are widely used in mining and tunnelling due to their versatility, precision, and ability to handle different rock types. In underground mining, they are used for developing roadways, excavating ore passes, and constructing ventilation tunnels, especially in coal mines and metal extraction sites. They are also preferred for selective mining operations, where precision excavation is needed to avoid excessive rock removal.

In the tunnelling industry, roadheaders are essential for excavating railway tunnels, metro systems, and road underpasses, particularly in environments where drilling and blasting are not viable. Additionally, roadheaders are frequently used in hydropower projects, defence structures, and civil underground constructions, offering an effective alternative to traditional excavation methods.

A roadheader is used to drive tunnels, underground roadways, and mining passages with high precision. These machines are capable of cutting rock, mixed ground, and soft formations while maintaining a controlled excavation process. They are commonly deployed for driving railway tunnels, coal mine roadways, metro stations, and hydropower conduits, making them indispensable in civil and mining projects. Additionally, roadheaders are used in urban underground projects, such as utility tunnels and pedestrian underpasses, where controlled excavation is necessary to minimise disruption to surface structures.

A roadheader consists of several key components that enable efficient excavation, cutting, and material handling. The primary parts include:

Each component plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient and safe excavation, making roadheaders a versatile and reliable choice for underground construction and mining applications.

Roadheaders are specialised tunnelling machines used to excavate rock, soil, or mixed ground in underground construction. They combine a rotating cutting head with a conveyor system to break material and remove it simultaneously, making them ideal for confined or complex tunnelling environments.

Common applications include:

• Mining tunnels – accessing ore bodies or underground resources.
• Civil engineering projects – such as subways, utility tunnels, and road tunnels.
• Underground infrastructure – including sewers, water, or transport passages.

Roadheaders are valued for their precision, flexibility, and ability to operate in limited space, reducing the need for blasting and minimising ground disturbance.

Yes, roadheaders can work in hard rock, but their efficiency depends on the rock type, hardness, and abrasiveness. They are most effective in medium to soft rock, where the cutting head can break material without excessive wear.

In very hard or highly abrasive rock, roadheaders may require specialised cutting heads with tungsten carbide picks or more frequent maintenance to manage wear. For extremely hard rock, other methods like drill-and-blast may be more cost-effective, but roadheaders can still be used for precise tunnelling where blasting is undesirable.

Yes, roadheaders require specialised operators trained in tunnelling machinery and underground safety. Operating a roadheader involves controlling the cutting head, conveyor system, and machine movement while monitoring ground conditions and ventilation in confined spaces.

Operators must also be familiar with safety protocols, emergency procedures, and maintenance routines to ensure the machine runs efficiently and safely. Many sites require certification or formal training for roadheader operation due to the complexity and risks of underground excavation.