Tamping rammer VS Plate compactor

Plate compactors and tamping rammer are the two most common types of compactors. While they both aim to establish a strong and stable foundation on any construction site, they differ in their basic characteristics. If you are considering renting or purchasing a compactor for your project, you must understand their features and differences. In both cases, in this article we will explain and compare the two machines in detail.

Plate compactor

Plate compactor is one of the most widely used equipment in the construction industry, it can be used in different environments. It performs the task of compacting and compacting soil in different spaces. The amount of tapping of the device and the power required is one of the most important points that such rollers are responsible for, ultimately resulting in very high resistance to soil and other materials. These units are made of steel, showing their high strength and capability.

Tamping rammer

The rammer is another tool widely used in the construction industry and has the same type of jumping as the kangaroo. These types of compactors also take care of the percussion and compaction, and by hitting the ground, make it a one-handed operation.

The difference between plate compactor and compactor

Now that we’re familiar with plate compactors. As you know, each of these devices is designed and built for a specific purpose. But there are some good differences between them.

Different compactions type

In these devices, the center of the compacted or impacted soil is different. Plate compactors use a reciprocating motion to compact the ground with a low-amplitude, high-frequency vibration. The rammer hits the center of the soil vertically by bumping and jumping. Thus, although the two types of devices differ in their type of operation, their respective functional types and efficiencies are similar.

The difference in the way of operation

Regarding the operation of both types of equipment, it must be admitted that a plate compactor is easier to operate than a tamping rammer. When the plate compactor starts, the whole machine will automatically move forward due to vibration, you only need to hold the handle to follow the machine forward. The impact rammer has a large jump range and a large impact force, so you need to be careful not to let the machine fall over at any time during use.

How to use the difference in different places

The tamper applies its force vertically to the center of the soil and does so with greater force. And the impact rammer has a small footprint, and is more compact and flexible than the plate type machine, which is why it is more suitable for working in narrow spaces such as pits and passages than the plate type compactor.

However, if the soil has a sticky layer and small particles; a plate compactor is more suitable. Because the vibration of the plate compactor will reduce the gap between the particles.

Soil type

The first fundamental consideration is the soil type of the construction site. Typically granular soils and gravels, or cohesive soils. These two types of soil require two different types of compaction equipment. Since granular soils do not contain clay and are mostly composed of clearly visible particles, they do not have any cohesive strength. Since these types of soils respond well to vibrations, plate compactors are best for compacting them properly. In addition, vibratory plate compactors have a wider vibration transmission area. That’s why they work best for better sedimentation of granular materials.
On the other hand, cohesive land contains clay material. A specific amount of moisture is required to compact them properly. The impact rammer has a smaller ramming plate but a large impact force, which can be better compacted during tamping operations, and is the best choice for working on cohesive soils. They’re good for 13% moist soil, so you can rely on them for better compaction on clay-based soils, and they’ll also help you solidify deeper soils than a slab compactor.

Different sizes and size differences.

From the size of the machine, the volume of the plate compactor is larger than that of the impact compactor. Therefore, the compaction area of the plate compactor is relatively large, and the overall efficiency is relatively high. But if you have higher requirements for compaction, then a rammer is more suitable.