A plate compactor is an essential tool for construction projects, especially when working with soil compaction. Plate compactors are used to increase the density of soil by reducing air voids, which helps to improve soil stability, support structures, and prevent settling.
The best way to compact soil is to use the right compaction equipment based on the soil type. For cohesive soils like clay, a jumping jack or padfoot roller works well, while granular soils like sand benefit from vibratory rollers or plate compactors.
Wacker plates and vibrating plates can be the perfect tools for compacting elements such as soil, sand, and loose gravel. A compactor plate is an essential tool to use for your major landscaping projects, as it allows you to smooth out those typically loose elements to create a solid base.
Hand Rollers:
Small, manual rollers are cost-effective for compacting small patches of asphalt or granular soil. They are easy to operate and highly effective for small driveways, pathways, or minor repair jobs.
Plate compactors are suitable for your projects when the soil on the site is sand, gravel, or sandstone. Rollers: These heavy-duty compactors crush, knead, or vibrate loose materials with direct pressure. Ride-on rollers: These machines are suitable for large compact jobs and deliver smooth, level surfaces.
A tamping rammer is ideal for cohesive soil compaction, and its size and maneuverability makes it great for tight corners or compacting near a wall. Examples of cohesive soils would be clay or silt. The typical shoe size you will find on a tamping rammer is 11 x 13 “.
Static force uses the pressure of a weight to physically and continuously compact soil. Manipulation, such as kneading or shearing the soil in alternating movements, can compact soil at greater depths. In conjunction with pressure and manipulation, dynamic force can be applied by adding a vibrating mechanism.
A flat hoe is handy for localized compaction. By slamming the flat side of the blade into the ground, you can compact dirt close to the surface. This method is usually used to support newly planted saplings. A rammer looks like a jackhammer with a flat base.
Tamping rammers are stronger and will compact deeper with clay soils but can't be used with granular soils. Plate compacters are not as strong but can be used on larger areas and can also be used on all soils.
Moisture in your soil is vital to achieving proper compaction as the water helps slide soil particles together. Not enough moisture might lead to inadequate compaction; too much moisture will leave water-filled voids that weaken the soil's load-bearing ability.
For large fill areas, rolling is the fastest, most efficient compaction method. Hand-held compactors can be used in smaller areas and for places that larger mobile equipment can't reach. For granular soils, vibrating plate compactors work best. Rammers or impact type machines are used for cohesive soils.
To work clay soil you can use a spade or pitchfork. Alternatively you can till hard ground with a rotary tiller, which is especially useful for medium-large plots. Use a rotary tiller of suitable weight so that it is stable and the blades penetrate deep into the soil.
A skid steer's wheels press harder into the ground than a compact track loader. These pieces of equipment are effective at compacting the soil once a job is complete. Skid steers are also gentler on asphalt and concrete, meaning that using this machine can save you from some repair work afterward.
Tool-free method: Level it, walk on it, saturate it with low pressure water, wait an hour, walk on it again, saturate it again with low pressure water, wait a few hours, walk on it once more. If it still doesn't feel compacted, do more watering, waiting and walking.
During Compaction
If you make too many passes in a single direction with your compaction equipment you can over compact the soil. Over compaction will actually lower soil density and cause unnecessary wear to the machine. Always check the work surface before beginning soil compaction for dangerous inclines or declines.
Tamping rammers and jumping jacks are useful for compacting soils in 2 to 3 lifts thick, at near-optimum moisture content, if trying to achieve 90% compaction. Choosing the proper equipment is just as important as the compaction and number of passes itself.
A 5.5 HP Honda Vibratory Plate Compactor for Soil Compaction Tamper is a heavy-duty tool used in construction and landscaping projects to compact soil and increase its density. This type of compactor is designed with a 17 in. x 13 in. plate, this vibratory plate is built to maneuver narrow, cramped spaces.
It all depends on the job. If you're just doing 500 SF, 24" or less of sub-grade compaction / recompaction under a new house for instance, you can do it by hand no problem. But if you're doing a couple thou SF, then by-god, get yourself a machine. ALSO, if you're compacting more than 24", you should use a machine.
Rollers, rammers and plate compactors are the three main types of compaction equipment. Rollers are heavy, ride-on compactors that move smooth or padfoot weighted drums over surfaces like soil, gravel and asphalt to compress and level them.
A tamper tool is the ideal piece of equipment to flatten and smooth the surface of the dirt, asphalt, stone or other material being used in your project. For a perfectly level surface, we offer hand tampers with variable-length handles and options with roller features.
Limited Compaction Force: Hand tampers exert less force compared to plate compactors, which may result in lower compaction densities and increased settling over time. Slower Process: Hand tamping is a slower process compared to using a plate compactor, which may not be suitable for projects with tight deadlines.
Top-dressing planting beds with several inches of compost will improve lightly compacted soils. Earthworms and other soil fauna will gradually pull it down into the soil, loosening it and improving water-holding capacity. A 2- or 3-inch layer of shredded leaf mulch or wood chips will provide similar benefits.
Lift thickness typically ranges from 15-30cm depending on soil type, while most compaction occurs within the first 5 passes. - Strip tests and lift thickness versus density graphs can be used to determine the optimum lift thickness and number of passes needed for specific soil conditions.
If the soils are not adequately compacted at the time they are placed, they will slowly settle over time due to water, gravity and overriding forces.
In simple terms, when we say a soil sample has achieved 95% compaction, it means that the compacted soil has reached 95% of its maximum possible dry density as determined by a Proctor test. Proctor testing is a test performed in the laboratory that compares the density of a soil sample to various moisture contents.