Description

Bomag BW 125 ADH, BW 135 AD, BW 138 AD, BW 138 AC 2004 Operators Manual

I’m Mike Callahan. 28 years turning wrenches, and I’ve seen more broken rollers than I care to count. If you own or operate a Bomag BW 125 ADH, BW 135 AD, BW 138 AD, BW 138 AC 2004 Operators Manual – this is the book you keep in the tool compartment. Not a reprint. Not a generic PDF. 86 pages of what BOMAG actually expects you to know. You want to avoid downtime? Start here.

Technical Data: Weights, Dimensions, and Travel Characteristics

Page 1 lists the exact serial number ranges for each model – BW 125 ADH, BW 135 AD, BW 138 AD, and BW 138 AC. The manual breaks down weights, dimensions, travel characteristics, drive specs, brakes, steering, vibration system, and the water sprinkler system. Each model gets its own table. You need the guaranteed sound power level? It’s there. Vibration values for the operator’s seat and hand-arm? The EC-directive figures are printed. No guessing.

Read the Safety Regulations Before Starting

Page 2 carries the California Proposition 65 warning – lead and diesel exhaust. That’s the legal stuff. The real meat is in Chapter 2: Safety regulations. BOMAG spells out intended use, what counts as unintended use, who is allowed to operate the machine, and how to load, tow, and check the ROPS. Starting procedures – including jump wires – are all there. Starting in closed rooms? Covered. Driving on inclinations and slopes? Covered. Parking on slopes? Covered. Every maintenance step from working on hydraulic lines to cleaning has its own warnings. This section alone can keep you out of the hospital.

Indicators and Controls: Understanding the Dashboard

Chapter 3 dedicates multiple pages to every light and switch. Hydraulic oil temperature control light, oil pressure control light, oil temperature control light, charge control light. The emergency stop push button is called out. Brake control lamp. Rotary switch and interval switch for the pressure sprinkler system. Each one has a reference number and a description. If a light comes on and you don’t know what it means, you flip to that section. No second-guessing.

Starting, Driving, and Parking Procedures

The manual doesn’t assume you know how to operate a tandem vibratory roller. It walks through before-starting checks, engine start, jump-starting with wires, and driving on inclinations. You get specific instructions for checking the effect of vibration before you compact. Parking on slopes? Clear steps. Filling the fuel tank includes fire protection measures. All of this is written for operators on construction sites – not engineers in an office.

Maintenance Work: Hydraulic Lines, Engine, and Battery

BOMAG tells you exactly what to do for maintenance: working on hydraulic lines, changing hydraulic hoses, engine work, electrical components, battery, fuel system, wheels and tires, cleaning, and post-maintenance checks. Every sub-section has its own safety note. The manual also states that using original BOMAG spare parts is required for warranty and liability. That’s not marketing – that’s covering your ass. If you skip the OEM hydraulic hose spec, you own the blowout.

Factory Spec Data: Why OEM Matters

This is the 2004 edition, 86 pages, direct from BOMAG’s catalog number 008 138 01. The aftermarket PDFs floating around? They omit the safety decal placements, the serial number breakpoints, and the exact vibration tables. I’ve seen reprints where the charge control light description was wrong. That’s how you burn out a starter. OEM documentation means you trust the smell of diesel and hydraulic fluid, not some third-party summarization. For related machines, check the Bomag MPH 454 2004 Operators Manual – OEM Factory Specs”>Bomag MPH 454 2004 Operators Manual, the Bomag BW 24 R 2004 Operators Manual – Factory Specs & Safety”>Bomag BW 24 R 2004 Operators Manual, and the Bomag BC 671 RB / BC 771 RB 2001 Operators Manual – OEM Specs”>Bomag BC 671 RB / BC 771 RB 2001 Operators Manual. If you’re dealing with a roller and need the transmission theory, Manual Transmission”>Manual Transmission basics are on Wikipedia, and Manual Transmission”>Manual Transmission maintenance guidelines apply universally.

Does this manual cover the BW 138 AC combination roller?

Yes. The manual includes both the BW 138 AD tandem vibratory roller and the BW 138 AC combination roller.

What is the difference between an operators manual and a service manual for these rollers?

An operators manual covers daily operation, safety, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting for the operator on the job site. A service manual goes deeper – internal engine rebuilds, hydraulic pump overhauls, full electrical schematics, and detailed repair procedures. This operators manual is what you keep in the cab for reference during a shift. For major tear-downs you need the service manual. But you still need this one to know the safe operating limits and maintenance intervals.

BOMAG builds these rollers to last – but only if you run them by the book. Book means the factory manual, not a photocopy from a friend. Keep it in the tool compartment, read the safety section twice, and when something feels off, crack the manual before you crack a hose. Access the Factory Manual and put it where you can reach it with greasy hands.