Plate compactor

[bhwh]

Any general advice on using a plate compactor? Never used one before.

Picking one up tomorrow morning to wack down about 4" of type 1 before laying slabs.

Seems to be obvious enough, just passing over until compacted 'to refusal'...but as I'm discovering there's always something I will have missed!

Luckily I have about 1/2ton spare for adding on top after first pass.

Cheers guys

 

[Thermo]

get it raked fairly level first. give at least 4 passes over each area. mind your feet.

easy peasey

 

[bhwh]

Cheers Thermo

Going good so far. Done at least 4/5 passes and it's just started staying nicely compacted. Probably do another couple or so, especially in areas that needed a bit added becasue of dips in level.

One problem: hadn't realised how much it would churn up compacted material on awkward turns. Worked out it takes a bit of lift on the backend and gentle arcs rather than just turning as you would a lawnmower or suchlike.

It's a heavy beast though!

 

[WabbitPoo]

I like to wet the area as well - sets like concrete after wacking. Well, almost.

 

[Thermo]

just lift the rear slightly as you go around the tight corners and drop the revs slightly

 

[bhwh]

Got there in the end. Thanks.

Was damp anyhow for some reason which did help.

Arms are suffering a little though since I also asked for 1 1/2 tons loose and meant to say bagged up! Spent couple of hours shifting from A to B. . . Oops!