Vibrating Plate Compactors
October 3rd 2008 12:12 am By Web Development in India
A compactor, basically, is a mechanism that is used to diminish the size of soil or waste materials by compaction. These equipments are normally powered by hydraulics and can take many sizes and shapes. Examples of compactors are landfill compactors (which is a bulldozer with spiked wheels); trash compactors; car crushers; baling compactors (equipments that press vehicles from different sides until it resembles a big cube); and auto balers (compacts plastics, papers, aluminum and all other types of small waste products). In the UK, one form of compactor is referred to as Paddy’s Motorbike (trench compactor).
Another type of compactor is the vibrating plate compactor. These compactors are equipped with plate tampers that make use of centrifugal force to compact materials. These equipments are ideal for compacting sands, granular soils, mixed soils, gravel, and crushed aggregate in narrow or enclosed areas. vibrating plate compactors are hand-operated and come in two kinds: the one-way plate and the forward/reverse plate. Reverse vibration plates are good for backfilling along utility trenches and foundations.
Vibrating plate compactors, also known as vibratory plate compactors, have large-scale and portable versions. The portable versions weigh approximately 158 pounds and could provide more than 3,400 pounds of centrifugal force. It mainly consists of a plate which does the compacting tasks. This plate could deliver up to 13 inches of compaction depth.
Larger units come with approximately 518 pounds or more. Since it is more than 3 times the size of the smaller versions, these can produce a centrifugal force of more than 7,000 and a compact depth of about 18 inches.
Although there are larger versions of vibrating plate compactors, these equipments are mainly used for small repairs and maintenance tasks. And since they are not as bulky as most construction equipments, they can be easier to maintain and use. Just bear in the mind the following aspects during the purchase of any vibrating plate compactor:
* The power or amount of centrifugal force that it can provide.
* Features that might compromise the safety of the operator.
* The amount of noise that it makes.
* Equipment ergonomics.
* Delivery costs.
* Price.
* Warranty.
* Availability of parts.
* Availability of maintenance services.
* Cost of maintenance.
Since vibrating plate compactors are much smaller when compared to most construction equipments, they also have their limits. For instance, compaction is less deep (it can compact a few inches from the above ground). But other than this, a vibrating plate compactor can produce maximum results such as a decrease on water seepage; prevention of soil settlement; a reduction of soil swelling or contraction; and it can also deter frost damage.
The most famous brand names that manufacture vibrating plate compactors are: Milwaukee, Stihl, Ryobi, Abus, Aqualisa, Belgravia, to name a few. Buy from among these brands and you are assured of high quality and 100% performance.
