Whacker advice/suggestions

[MrBull]

Hi All, I read an old post on here with some recommendations for a decent budget friendly whacker plate. I’ve been hiring one on and off for mostly medium duty domestic stuff but I now need it for about 6 months more frequently so thought just buying a decent quality one that won’t cost me a fortune as it’s not by any means a money maker for me, it’s just more convenient to have to hand.

So on that note, I’m guessing from what I’ve picked up in other threads here I’m looking for something with approx 11kN compaction rate/force that will compact some type 1 at a depth of approx 20cm.

Any suggestions welcome, open to buying good used condition as well if one fits the bill. Cheers.

 

[Smiffy]

What's your budget when you say cheap?

No small Wacker will do type 1 in 200mm lifts. You are looking at 75-100mm. But you can work in multiple layers to reach 200mm.
Each layer will require 6ish passes for a small Wacker. More for cheaper ones.

 

[MrBull]

What's your budget when you say cheap?

No small Wacker will do type 1 in 200mm lifts. You are looking at 75-100mm. But you can work in multiple layers to reach 200mm.
Each layer will require 6ish passes for a small Wacker. More for cheaper ones.

Probably around £400 ish. Thanks for the advice, just to confirm, is a decent machine that says 11kn compaction rate not capable of achieving good compaction at 20cm?

Reading some of the specs of them most in that 11kn range seem to suggest 20-25cm depth, but I’d guess from what you advise, this may be dependant on material you are compacting. Type 1 not being possible to go so deep maybe? Cheers.

 

[Storrsy]

Tbh I think for the basic forward compactors the Belle ones are hard to beat. Don't be tempted by a Lumag- the vibes on them are terrible- almost unusable really.

Id go for a 15kn forward plate around 95kg- but more weight than the really cheapo ones, you should be able to find a used one in your budget as new they cost around a £1k

 

[MrBull]

Tbh I think for the basic forward compactors the Belle ones are hard to beat. Don't be tempted by a Lumag- the vibes on them are terrible- almost unusable really.

Id go for a 15kn forward plate around 95kg- but more weight than the really cheapo ones, you should be able to find a used one in your budget as new they cost around a £1k

That’s really interesting as the previous posts I was referring to which I was reading on here spoke very highly of the Lumag ones.

The Belle ones are always the ones I’ve hired, but I don’t have the experience to be able to compare as I’ve used nothing else.

The options I had in mind were either buy a decent budget new one (which won’t be a belle due to price). But if they won’t do what I’m after then as you say the better option may be to go more premium machine but used to bring the price down.

Any other input appreciated.

 

[Smiffy]

Probably around £400 ish. Thanks for the advice, just to confirm, is a decent machine that says 11kn compaction rate not capable of achieving good compaction at 20cm?

Reading some of the specs of them most in that 11kn range seem to suggest 20-25cm depth, but I’d guess from what you advise, this may be dependant on material you are compacting. Type 1 not being possible to go so deep maybe? Cheers.

They will compact it but they will exaggerate what is possible and also what is compacted. And single direction Wacker putting down 200mm of type one in a single pass will not compact well enough for vehicle traffic. No matter how much you spend on them. I think you have to go to a at least a 120 roller if not bigger to compact that much in a single layer. This is according to the specifications given by the highways authorities.

 

[MrBull]

They will compact it but they will exaggerate what is possible and also what is compacted. And single direction Wacker putting down 200mm of type one in a single pass will not compact well enough for vehicle traffic. No matter how much you spend on them. I think you have to go to a at least a 120 roller if not bigger to compact that much in a single layer. This is according to the specifications given by the highways authorities.

Take onboard what you’re saying but just for clarity, I would be using this for light to medium duty domestic type work, compacting type 1 for sub base layers in concrete foundations etc.

Real plant work I leave to the big boys and their toys. I will be nowhere near roads etc, I know my limitations.

It will be more building type work and I’m happy to have to do multiple passes over it if necessary.

 

[CPS]

Hyundai 81.5kg, 42cm, 196cc Petrol Plate Compactor, Wheel Kit and Pavi

The flagship Hyundai compactor plate, powered by a 196cc petrol engine. Ideal for building patios, pavements, driveways, decking and more. Available now.

hyundaipowerequipment.co.uk

I have one of these and it does the job well..

Just to note, i use it around my own house im building, and have used it to compact layers of type one. Does it ok in swallow layers.
For the heavier stuff i have a roller.

 

[MrBull]

I have one of these and it does the job well..

Just to note, i use it around my own house im building, and have used it to compact layers of type one. Does it ok in swallow layers.
For the heavier stuff i have a roller.

Did look at this as a contender for buying. Seems to tick most of my boxes. Was just unsure wether to go for this or a good condition 2nd hand belle depending on performance

 

[Smiffy]

Take onboard what you’re saying but just for clarity, I would be using this for light to medium duty domestic type work, compacting type 1 for sub base layers in concrete foundations etc.

Real plant work I leave to the big boys and their toys. I will be nowhere near roads etc, I know my limitations.

It will be more building type work and I’m happy to have to do multiple passes over it if necessary.

If you just do shallow rises and run the plate over multiple times per rise then you will be fine. It's just knowing the limitations of the machine. A whacker plate can compact any finished depth of material. Just in multiple layers with multiple passes.
All that happens if you try and skimp on compaction is the top is compacted but underneath isn't and will sink over time.

 

[MrBull]

If you just do shallow rises and run the plate over multiple times per rise then you will be fine. It's just knowing the limitations of the machine. A whacker plate can compact any finished depth of material. Just in multiple layers with multiple passes.
All that happens if you try and skimp on compaction is the top is compacted but underneath isn't and will sink over time.

Thanks for all the advice and info. I’ll go ahead with the Hyundai and make sure 100mm max with a few passes. Appreciate everyone’s input.

 

[V8Druid]

Hyundai 81.5kg, 42cm, 196cc Petrol Plate Compactor, Wheel Kit and Pavi

The flagship Hyundai compactor plate, powered by a 196cc petrol engine. Ideal for building patios, pavements, driveways, decking and more. Available now.

hyundaipowerequipment.co.uk

I have one of these and it does the job well..

Just to note, i use it around my own house im building, and have used it to compact layers of type one. Does it ok in swallow layers.
For the heavier stuff i have a roller.

looks identical to the Sheppach ones Aldi were flogging a while back for £299 .. I bought one and several others on here did too .. it works ok if you don't get greedy with what you put down in a hit

scheppach HP1100S 5.5HP Petrol Vibrating Plate for sale online | eBay UK

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for scheppach HP1100S 5.5HP Petrol Vibrating Plate at the best online prices at eBay UK! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

seems they're the same price as the Hyundai now - S/h ... did get down to £250 at one point with Aldi

new they're dearer than the Hyundai

Scheppach HP 1100S Wacker Plate Compactor 6.5 HP With Block Paving Pad New | eBay UK

Scheppach HP 1100S Wacker Plate Compactor 6.5 HP With Block Paving Pad New. Pick up from Uxbridge, London ub4 area. Any questions please feel free to contact.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Monkeybusiness]

looks identical to the Sheppach ones Aldi were flogging a while back for £299 .. I bought one and several others on here did too .. it works ok if you don't get greedy with what you put down in a hit

scheppach HP1100S 5.5HP Petrol Vibrating Plate for sale online | eBay UK

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for scheppach HP1100S 5.5HP Petrol Vibrating Plate at the best online prices at eBay UK! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

seems they're the same price as the Hyundai now - S/h ... did get down to £250 at one point with Aldi

new they're dearer than the Hyundai

Scheppach HP 1100S Wacker Plate Compactor 6.5 HP With Block Paving Pad New | eBay UK

Scheppach HP 1100S Wacker Plate Compactor 6.5 HP With Block Paving Pad New. Pick up from Uxbridge, London ub4 area. Any questions please feel free to contact.

www.ebay.co.uk

I’ve got one of the Aldi ones - I don’t reckon it’s 80kg though (unless I’m stronger than I realised!).

 

[Mogman]

I’ve got one of the Aldi ones - I don’t reckon it’s 80kg though (unless I’m stronger than I realised!).

You are a big boy though

 

[Storrsy]

I’ve got one of the Aldi ones - I don’t reckon it’s 80kg though (unless I’m stronger than I realised!).

I lifted a 63kg Belle into the back of the Disco the other day and thought to myself I won't be doing that again.

 

[V8Druid]

I’ve got one of the Aldi ones - I don’t reckon it’s 80kg though (unless I’m stronger than I realised!).

agreed -- IIRC I lifted mine onto my sack truck when it arrived and then onto my bench, so closer to 50-ish I'd have said ... STBC though, if anyone cares to weigh one ... was bloody heavy though, for sure

 

[Furniss]

I often lift my wacker dpu 2540 into the wagon back !

 

[Smiffy]

I often lift my wacker dpu 2540 into the wagon back !

6in ?? Or maybe 8

 

[6feetdown]

I often lift my wacker dpu 2540 into the wagon back !

With the wacker 6t

 

[Furniss]

With the wacker 6t

No mechanical assistance