[Stonehenge]

Voodoo - the 1550 should do the trick. We run one and for it's size, it provides the best mix of speed and compaction of the machines we've tried.

As for plowing up the base - it's all in the wrist.

In all seriousness, they can be spun almost on a dime without damaging the base underneath.

Just before the turn, place the handle perfectly vertical.

For a right turn, place your right hand a little lower on the handle than your left, and at the moment you want to turn, quickly apply force perfectly horizontally in a clockwise motion with each hand, the left hand pushing, the right hand pulling. It should spin pretty smoothly for you. If it doesn't, check the bottom of the plate - it might be gummed up with wet stone or maybe some mud from previous compaction of the subsoil.

[Bill Schwab]

For testing equipment all you need is a soils engineers template, a hand trowel, a cone and measuring bottle, an electronic scale and a hot plate to cook the water out of the soil. Soil weights for 90% are taken assuming soil weighs 110lbs per cubic foot. You scale that down to the amount of soil taken in the cone sample. The soil is weighed as is, then cooked and weighed again. I don't have the mathematical formula for weight testing for 90% but I can get them tomorrow if you like when I get to the crew trucks. We test soils while compacting so when we call the engineer out he is not wasting his high priced time. If we hit 90-100%, we know he will. Cost wise you an put all the stuff together for under $600.00, or if you like you can buy a nuclear testing device for around $6,700.00.

Voodoo:

Your wacker plate is the one I would get in your application. Reverse is very handy even in smaller plates but it will add an easy grand to the purchase price. The roller we use will get up very tight to the foundations, but you still need a vibraplate for that last 6". I guess size really does matter after all.

[klaaar]

We are looking to purchase a machine to compact bases for retaining walls, walkways, patios, and other projects (we will rent the appropriate machine for the sporadic driveways).

Reversible looks like the way to go.

Look here:

http://www.xgpower.com/index.php?p=p...d=114&parent=0

Is this a reputable machine? The price seems low for a machine of this description.

Any thoughts?

[TripleT]

I'm running a Dynapac LF90. I've run a wacker too and they are pretty close. I'm pretty happy with it and would buy another one. Just my two cents...

[neversatisfiedj]

I have a Wacker 1550 I have used for 2 years. I hear the ICPI has raised the required compaction force to 7000#. I just bought a used Wacker 2950. It pounds hard. I bought it for 2k from a rental shop. I think he has another he is looking to get rid of. It has 9HP gas motor and is reversable. I only use the 1550 to go over top the pavers now. Here is a link to this guy.
http://www.larrysrentall.com/used_eq...yid=79&start=6

[klaaar]

Thank you, neversatisfiedj.



Anyone use the xg machine?

[jamesn162]

started out with stone ended up with wacker..........i swear by them! Wacker 1540a, wacker jumping jack72-2i and i have one more wacker that we rarely use becasue of the weight 3545a

[dvlscapes]

We have both a wacker 1550 and a 2050. The 2050 hits at 5000#. It is about 30 or so lbs heavier but still manageable. My next compactor purchas will be another 2050. We all seem to think it does a better job, and quicker.

[Stoneman705]

Wow another great thread that needs a bumping.

Around here, there is nothing but Wackers. I like the compaction of the Wacker 1550 but I really like the fact that the handle is mounted mid-way. Like Stonehenge says, to do a tight turn just hold the handle perpendicular and twist. This keeps the machine flat so that the sides don't bite.

Else I wonder about the 1550 for a 2050. It has better handles for two guys to lift. and it's extra 40 lbs makes for another 5KN or 1000lbs. compaction.

Sure a 1550 makes 3300 lbs when new. I wonder how efficient they are after a couple of years?

I bought mine from a rental company, had 1200 hours on it. I wonder if it would make 80% of compaction of new. Should I keep my lifts closer to 1.5"?

[Euroscapes]

We've been toying with the idea of getting a small reversible plate now to speed up installs and offer us another choice over a jumping jack for cohesive soils...
Since we have our Bobcat MT52 on site all the time loading/unloading shouldn't be a problem, any of you have experience with the smaller end of reversible plates that could chime in?

Thanks!
-Cam

[Squizzy Taylor]

Originally Posted by Euroscapes

any of you have experience with the smaller end of reversible plates that could chime in?

Thanks!
-Cam

I have had this one 3 years..maybe longer. ::: Dynapac :::

I got this model because the Wacker salesman was the biggest loser you ever met...and I saw an asphalt company I know who had abused one for 6 years..no service...it was so covered in asphalt you couldn't even see it was a Dynapac. That sealed it for me.

The thing with hydraulic plateys is that from day 1 one its wearing out and ever so steadily reducing in performance. I've had hire ones that were nothing but slow moving smoothers. If I'm ever upgrading, whatever the model, it will have a Honda...or a Yanmar Diesel. I'm not keen on the Hatz.

[Stoneman705]

I think Honda is the best motor builder in the world. Here in Canada we have Yanmar diesels, not the Hatz though. I've also seen a motor made by Robyn, not sure where they come from tho.

Yea Squizzy, I wonder how much compaction I am getting from my little Wacker. I hope by the end of this year I can get a proper reversible diesel plate - smallest I can find.

[TonkaToy]

Hey Stoneman 705,
I am not a professional like you guys, but an amateur jack of all trades and have various equipment that I have acquired over the years, Whatever I buy, new or used, I usually consult a buddy of mine that has been working for years at a tool and equipment rental shop. They are very big on the Honda engines, and also pretty hot any Kawa's and Yamaha's. Not as crazy for Briggs, but say they are OK for machines that don't need to run under heavy load for long periods. Unless it's a Vanguard branded Briggs, these he and the boys at his shop like them a lot.

The Robin's you ask about, became Robins Subaru 10 years ago, maybe a bit longer. Previously they were called Robins Wisconsin and were known for their side valve engines, not sure about their design since going with Subaru. My buddy's shop does not have a lot of equipment with them, but they regard them as very good engines. He wouldn't put them up there with the Honda's, but says he would recommend them to anyone buying a piece of equipment with them. I guess it all depends who you ask because he's got a bit of a bias for Honda, but I have seen many Robin's on construction sites, so figure they must do OK.