Wallis and Steevens 8 ton diesel road roller, type A 'Advance', 1931.

The ‘Advance’ model road roller manufactured by Wallis and Steevens is a precursor to the modern steam roller. The design of the roller meant it was able to undertake a number of tasks from consolidating tar macadam to surface plastic coating, which removed the need for two separate rollers to be used in roadmaking.

The roller adjusted its rear rolls automatically to the road camber, it also had an equal weight distribution over the rolled surface and offered a steady operation free from side roll.

This road roller was first registered in Southampton in 1931 and was used by a number of construction firms in Hampshire before returning to Wallis and Steevens in Basingstoke.