What is plate compactor and how to choose right one?

Table of Contents

Why do you need one plate compactor

The quality of a building depends on its foundation. Whether it is laying parking lots, roads, building foundations, courtyards, etc., a solid foundation is required, and compaction is one of the most critical parts of any building. Without proper soil compaction, you can experience foundation erosion, slab cracks, and pipe leaks and ruptures. This leads to unnecessary maintenance costs and structural failures. Compaction is the process of using vibration to remove air from the substrate, and as soil particles are compressed, the pore space between them is reduced, resulting in soil compaction. Compacted soils have fewer macropores, less total pore volume, and higher density, and a compacted ground can avoid water infiltration or pressure sinking.

For general ground compaction, plate compactor is a commonly used machine in pavement engineering and can be used for various soil, gravel, asphalt and other pavements. It applies force through weight and compacts the soil through violent vibrations rather than pounding. This way, the gravel and soil are compacted together and are more resistant to settlement, frost heave and erosion.

What is plate compactor

Plate compactor is a type of construction equipment used to level and level the land. It consists of heavy steel plates mounted on the base of the machine. Most use motor-driven vibrators. There are also motor-driven types in the market. Mowers are somewhat similar. Plate compactors are mostly hand-push type, which use vibration or shock to flatten the land under the plate, and are used to compact loose materials such as granular soil, gravel, small aggregates and hot asphalt mixtures, and are mostly used for large flat The work area is compacted, such as repairing streets, laying asphalt or concrete surfaces, etc., in preparation for paving, landscaping, or other work.

How does the plate compactor work?

When the plate compactor is running, the gasoline engine or the electric motor drives the vibration exciter, so that the steel plate at the bottom of the machine moves up and down rapidly, generating centrifugal force. The combination of vibration and the weight of the steel plate forces the soil below to be compacted even tighter, creating a stable foundation. Plate compactors are best for granular soil types, such as those with a high sand or gravel content. There are two main types of plate compactors, unidirectional and reversible. The operation of these two compactors is similar, the main difference is that reversible compactors can move back and forth, while unidirectional compactors can only move forward. Also, reversible compactors are generally larger and heavier than unidirectional machines. In some cases, it is beneficial to add some water to the soil before using the plate compactor, such as asphalt pavement. Proper moisture prevents asphalt from sticking to the rammer, so some models are designed with a water tank feature.

How to use the plate compactor

Step 1: Flatbed compactors are very easy to start. First, put it in the correct position, keep the machine upright and forward, and turn the “ON/OFF” switch on the side of the machine to the “ON” position. Adjust the handle of the machine to a comfortable position

Step 2: Now let’s take it outside and light it up, if you cold start the engine you need to open the choke and move the choke lever at the rear of the machine to the right to open the fuel filler. If you start a machine that has just worked, you don’t need to use the choke, or you only need to open the choke partially.

Step 3: Please control the machine well before starting, and at the same time make sure the throttle is in the idle position to avoid sudden start and loss of control. Pull on the rope, but don’t worry it won’t start right away, as it may take a few more pulls. After the engine starts, let it idle for 15 or 20 seconds and close the choke.

Step 4: When you’re ready to start compacting, try cranking up the throttle, which you can do with the throttle switch on the machine handle, to a vibration frequency you’re comfortable with, but make sure you’re holding the flat compactor firmly as it will start to move away you.

Step 5: Once you’ve done your work, now turn off the throttle switch and turn the switch on the side to the off position

Step 6: Be very careful as the flatbed compactor can be very hot after use! If you need to add oil, you will need to wait until the engine has cooled before adding oil.

Choose the right machine

Earlier in this article we have mentioned that there are two main types of flatbed compactors: forward and reversible. Forward plate compactors run forward and are good at compacting granular soils, such as sand or gravel, in the 8 to 12 inches range. Scope. These units are usually small and light, weighing around 60 to 120 kg, so they are easy to operate next to obstacles and around tight worksites. Front plate compactors can deliver up to 20KN of centrifugal force and frequencies of approximately 5600RPM, enabling them to compact thinner layers of material while minimizing the risk of over-compaction that can compromise material integrity. Front plate compactors move at a speed of 6-16m/min per hour, so they are suitable for small repair and maintenance work on roads and driveways. Some front plate compactors are also designed with water systems and water tanks that can be used not only for soil gravel material, but also for compacting asphalt surfaces. Machines with water tanks provide water to the rammed plates at work, minimizing the risk of bitumen sticking to the plates and helping to produce high-quality mats.

Some heavy-duty flatbed compactors are ideal when dealing with medium to deep granular materials 16 to 32 inches thick. Because the machines are heavy and cannot turn or turn around as easily as smaller machines, heavy-duty flatbed compactors are Generally reversible, it can run forward or reverse, and the machine can easily exit when entering a narrow work area or near obstacles. These units usually provide high centrifugal force – some as high as 90KN. These properties are very effective in reaching deep into the soil for fast and efficient compaction. Reversible plate compactors are also ideal for compacting pebbles. Like all flatbed compactors, they are a versatile alternative to drum rollers, being compact, small and easy to operate, and they are also less expensive to purchase, making them a more economical option.

IDEAL plate compactor

Using the highest quality materials, thickening the ramming plate and strengthening the body, IDEAL compactors provide customized services of various weights, plate sizes, and exciting force models. Can be equipped with different brands of engines, Honda GX series and Robin EX series engines, can also choose more economical Chinese brand gasoline such as Loncin, Lifan, and electric types are available, contact us immediately to learn about our flatbed compactor for more information.

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