Trench Rammer.

[Stroppymonkey]

Been putting it off for a while, but would like a trench rammer. I like to put things back TIGHT. We use 150mm bucket or sometimes the 75mm tooth if I'm feeling brave and certain of no services. Belle do a model with 165mm feet and 80mm extended feet.. which would work. I'm toying with getting a pecker for the E10. I've seen guys use peckers for post banging. Is there a reason why one couldn't make a tench compactor attachment for a micro pecker? Would be slow I'm sure....

 

[topkit]

This is what you want "Old School" in the late 60's to Early 70's O C Summers were putting in new gas pipes for the new north sea gas, If they did not have a digger available they had a gang of Navies that hand dug the trenches down over 6ft and then they would use the Jumping Jacks to compact everything before they put new tarmac down, They did a decent job too compared to the standards nowadays, I can still hear that noise and the smoke and odd flash shooting out the side of the Jumping Jack hearing the trigger clicking sometimes as it did'nt fire correctly. Great times and great memories.

 

[Smiffy]

Been putting it off for a while, but would like a trench rammer. I like to put things back TIGHT. We use 150mm bucket or sometimes the 75mm tooth if I'm feeling brave and certain of no services. Belle do a model with 165mm feet and 80mm extended feet.. which would work. I'm toying with getting a pecker for the E10. I've seen guys use peckers for post banging. Is there a reason why one couldn't make a tench compactor attachment for a micro pecker? Would be slow I'm sure....

I think you would struggle to get an even compaction rate as when you compress the next section I think you would end up loosening the section you have just done. Trench compactors are bad enough as it is for this when the foot isn't wide enough for the trench.
Amman do a micro trench compactor that would fit your narrow bucket but if you are trying to save cost the best bet is probably the Facebook guy tha refurbishes utility kit

 

[V8Druid]

This is what you want "Old School" in the late 60's to Early 70's O C Summers were putting in new gas pipes for the new north sea gas, If they did not have a digger available they had a gang of Navies that hand dig the trenches down over 6ft and then they would use the Jumping Jacks to compact everything befor the put new tarmac down, They did a decent job too compared to the standards nowadays, I can still here that noise and the smoke and odd flash shooting out the side of the Jumping Jack hearing the trigger clicking sometimes as it did'nt fire correctly. Great times and great memories.

have you seen the old (German, IIRC) versions about 3ft across .. can't find one on you tube to show you ... 'bout half a tonne lump

 

[Lancs Lad]

have you seen the old (German, IIRC) versions about 3ft across .. can't find one on you tube to show you ... 'bout half a tonne lump

There's a vid on here somewhere ... fantastic beasts

 

[JD450A]

I have a small bomag you could buy if you wished. 4 stroke so alot less temperamental than the 2 strokes.

 

[V8Druid]

There's a vid on here somewhere ... fantastic beasts

that's the ones ...... wouldn't want yer foot under it though

 

[Lancs Lad]

that's the ones ...... wouldn't want yer foot under it though

Just stop oil...?

 

[Stroppymonkey]

I have a small bomag you could buy if you wished. 4 stroke so alot less temperamental than the 2 strokes.

What size foot on that please?

 

[JD450A]

What size foot on that please?

I'll have a measure, but I've a feeling it's 9" it's my less favourite rammer out of my pair.

 

[DaveDCB]

I have a trench roller 12” wide for the machine , in the right conditions ie not too wet it sends everything down as hard as you wish!

 

[V8Druid]

I have a trench roller 12” wide for the machine , in the right conditions ie not too wet it sends everything down as hard as you wish!

got any pix of that Dave ... be interested to see what it looks like ... presumably goes on yer dipper?

 

[Stroppymonkey]

I have a trench roller 12” wide for the machine , in the right conditions ie not too wet it sends everything down as hard as you wish!

Just a roller or does it vibrate?

 

[groundworker]

I've got one like this, doesn't vibrate just pushes down the material under the weight of the machine. Great idea but not really used it since having it, never seem to have the right sort of backfilling to do.

 

[T whiting]

A elephants foot on a beaver pack works well. We tried welding one up for the SDS max breaker but it just destroyed it so I don't think you would have much luck fabricating something for a pecker

 

[Gunners]

Just buy a trench rammer! Tying the digger up for compacting sounds like a good idea but then youll be shovelling in the backfill as the machine will have the compactor on! Its also hard to get back over the trench with a small machine and your working envelope is tiny.
Keep the digger for digging and the trench rammer for compacting - I think you'll get the job done faster.
I had an old 2 stroke one for years and it was always a pain to start. Bought a new Bobcat one (actually an Amman painted in Bobcat colours) because they were doing a deal to promote the new range. I got a couple of different feet for it and its been good so far - packs it down well and the transport wheels are a must have - why didn't I get one before?!!

 

[Stroppymonkey]

Just buy a trench rammer! Tying the digger up for compacting sounds like a good idea but then youll be shovelling in the backfill as the machine will have the compactor on! Its also hard to get back over the trench with a small machine and your working envelope is tiny.
Keep the digger for digging and the trench rammer for compacting - I think you'll get the job done faster.
I had an old 2 stroke one for years and it was always a pain to start. Bought a new Bobcat one (actually an Amman painted in Bobcat colours) because they were doing a deal to promote the new range. I got a couple of different feet for it and its been good so far - packs it down well and the transport wheels are a must have - why didn't I get one before?!!

Sound advice. I think the issue of tying up the micro with small envelope makes a lot of sense. Proper rammer it will probably be..

 

[6feetdown]

Just buy a trench rammer! Tying the digger up for compacting sounds like a good idea but then youll be shovelling in the backfill as the machine will have the compactor on! Its also hard to get back over the trench with a small machine and your working envelope is tiny.
Keep the digger for digging and the trench rammer for compacting - I think you'll get the job done faster.
I had an old 2 stroke one for years and it was always a pain to start. Bought a new Bobcat one (actually an Amman painted in Bobcat colours) because they were doing a deal to promote the new range. I got a couple of different feet for it and its been good so far - packs it down well and the transport wheels are a must have - why didn't I get one before?!!

Same bit the bullet

 

[Steve]

I have the Belle RT 65 with the Honda 4 stroke as the 2 stroke version always seem a bit temperamental.

 

[TiltyShaun]

Why is this thread making me want a trench rammer??!
Hang on…….I have one in the shed that I have not needed for over 20years after buying it at auction!!! Must just like pics of shiny new tools!!