The main purpose of the vibratory plate is to compact loose materials. Despite such a narrow focus, this tool is used in many areas of human activity.
There is a choice for the vibratory plate, electric, gasoline vibratory plate, and diesel engines. How do we understand the market of gasoline vibratory plates, reversible vibratory plates, and the assortment? What is a vibratory plate and what types of construction work it can perform?
A vibratory plate is used to compact soils, to compact asphalt. The vibratory plate is needed in places where it is very difficult to compact soils or compact asphalt with a roller.
The best vibratory plates
- XtremepowerUS 61015 Plate Compactor Gas
- Wacker Neuson Wacker Wp1550Aw Single Directional Vibratory Plate
- Stark 7.0HP 5000VPM 5500MAX Gas Vibration Plate
- XtremepowerUS 61017 Walk Behind Plate
- NorthStar Close-Quarters Plate Compactor
- Powerhorse Single-Direction Plate Compactor
XtremepowerUS 61015 Plate Compactor Gas
Specifications:
- Power HP: 6 (4.1kw)
- Vibration Frequency: 7,000
- Centrifugal Force: 400lbs
- Compaction Depth: 12″
- Speed: 80 f/m
- Efficiency: 8180 ft2/hr (760m2/hr)
- Plate Size: 23.6 x 17.3in. (60x44cm)
- Water Tank: Yes
- Compliant: CARB and EPAa
Where vibratory plates are used
The main use for vibratory plates is in construction, which are used to compact construction sites and gravel pavers. They are even used to lay paving slabs, where they are indispensable. In this article, we will understand the varieties of this tool, thereby answering the question of how to choose it. We will also consider the possibility of making a vibratory plate yourself.
Most models are effective in open space (roadway, sidewalks, floors in workshops and warehouses, freight yards, large parking lots), and in limited space, such as in narrow trenches, built-up areas, near various structures, at the base of curbs, gutters, around sewer manholes, in the yards of cottages, supporting poles (columns), power transmission line supports, in drainage ditches, gas and heating lines, when patching the asphalt surface of roads, etc. д.
In addition, vibratory rammers are used for the compaction of crushed stone and ramming of paving slabs; the use of vibratory plates precedes the laying of pavement. It is better not to lay asphalt paving tile without high-quality compacting – low quality of such surface is guaranteed. In many places, the quality compaction of paving tiles, for example, prevents the narrowness of the path. With the help of professional construction vibratory plates it is possible to perform quality compaction of the pavement in the most difficult places.
A vibratory rammer is a universal tool for construction sites, allowing you to tamp the ground, to tamp loose fractions of building materials. It is used for compacting sand and gravel, increasing the density in different layers of soil, and compacting the cover of various sites. The depth of surface treatment is not high – 10-30 cm, but it is enough for the quality performance of works.
The use of vibratory plate in the repair (reconstruction) or construction is very diverse. The range of models available worldwide and the American market is quite diverse.
Vibratory plate Device
The principle of an electric vibratory rammer, either with a diesel unit or with gasoline engines, is quite simple. It is a construction equipped with a plate on which the engine’s vibration is transmitted to compact the pavement.
The vibratory plate has a vibrating mechanism, which transmits vibrations to the ground or an array of bulk materials. This mechanism is the vibrator’s eccentric shaft. Depending on the number of shafts (one or two), it can have different properties, either only progressive vibratory motion or, as a reversible unit, forward and reverse motion, this is called reversible. The size of the sole of the vibratory plate can vary greatly depending on the modifications. The weight also varies, ranging from 50 to 500 kg., the use of such vibratory plates provides compaction in various conditions.
A vibratory plate, in turn, is equipped with a powerful gasoline, diesel or electric engine. All these units are mounted on a metal frame with shock absorbers. It is also important to securely fasten the body of the vibrating mechanism. To move the unit is equipped with handles, designed for the operator’s convenience.
How does a vibratory plate work?
To choose a vibratory plate, it is important to understand how it works. Vibratory plates tamp the ground sand, using the principle of vibration to compact the pavement. To create vibration, the unit’s performance is important, as it relates to the engine’s power, which, by transmitting force to the vibrator eccentric, creates vibrations in the base (soleplate) of the vibratory plate. Both reciprocating and reversible vibratory plates, as well as universal rammers, are based on these principles.
Compaction efficiency depends on the area and size of the ramming plate (subgrade) on which the vibrator is installed, the drive power is of great importance, and the vibration force transmission provided by the vibrator eccentric mechanism is efficient. Whether the unit will have direct or reversible stroke depends on this device. These machines differ in the principle of vibratory actions; progressive moves only forward, and reversible vibratory plates produce forward and backward motion, which reduces the speed of processing the soil or sand, for example, in narrow trenches.
Vibratory plates have the following features
1. Vibratory plate weight
The components’ total weight depends on the plate’s size and thickness in cast iron or steel. The low weight of a vibratory plate soleplate starts at 50 to 70 kg. They can compact soil up to 15 cm. deep and for laying tiles. The medium-heavy plates, weighing from 90 to 140-200 kg, can be used for compacting the soil before laying asphalt or other road surface and during the laying itself when the thickness of the soil is not more than 25 cm. The weight of heavy devices usually exceeds 150 kg. and can reach 500 kg.
2. Compaction depth
Machines based on heavy plates are used for paving the road surface, and the compaction depth is up to 60 cm. Small and medium-weight vibratory plates use a special coating in rubber mats when laying paving tiles, which prevents the vibratory plate from destroying the tiles. An important characteristic is the size of the base (plate) of the unit. The size of the vibratory plate is from 35 cm. to 52.5 cm. in width and from 52.1 cm. to 76 cm. in length of the tamping pad.
3. Useful life
Vibratory plates have a working life of 3 to 5 years. This means your vibratory plate will last much longer if well cared for.
Types of vibratory plates
According to the type of power consumption, the vibratory plate can be:
- Electric
- Gasoline
- Diesel
Electric vibratory plates have low power and weigh up to 75 kg. However, these characteristics are enough to perform work on the compaction of sand or gravel to a depth of 15-20 cm, for ground fibroblastic for small paths, creating landscape compositions, etc. Moreover, an electric vibratory plate can be used indoors, where the use of fuel plates is impossible due to the abundance of exhaust gases.
Diesel and gasoline plates are by far the most powerful and versatile. In general, plates can be rated in terms of power as follows:
- electric – from 250 to 2200 watts
- petrol – 1770 to 9800 watts
- diesel – from 3000 to 24500 watts
Given the fact that the vibratory plate is most often used to work in the open countryside and often for road construction, where there is not always direct access to the power grid, the gasoline vibratory plate is the most common and the most effective.
Petrol vibratory plate, how do choose the right one?
In order to choose your own version of the tool for construction and increase labor productivity, it is worth exploring different equipment options. When choosing a vibratory rammer or vibratory plate, one should consider the following factors:
In addition to selecting the sole of the vibratory plate, it is necessary to consider the types of engines. The motor comes in electric. A vibratory plate with an electric motor is characterized by the device’s low weight, economical, maneuverable, and produces less noise. However, the presence of an electric motor also creates disadvantages – the vibratory plate depends on the power source, and the electric motor can be used only at a small radius of this source. Despite the protective equipment, vibratory plates with electric motors pose a risk of electric shock and cannot be used in wet environments.
Gasoline engines are found on both small vibratory plates and heavy-duty units. But most gasoline engines are found on small, compact units. Vibratory plates are often equipped with a Honda four-stroke gasoline engine. Using gasoline engines allows you to work anywhere from the electricity source and in any weather.
However, the units with gasoline engines are noisier than the electric ones. The alternative to gasoline is diesel fuel. It is used on heavy models of vibratory plates with a diesel drive used in construction.
The diesel unit can perform work on ramming various soils with the maximum depth, it is economical and has high productivity. The disadvantages of diesel engines are the noise and difficulties of starting the engine at low temperatures. The best diesel engines for vibratory plates are Stark, Hatz, and Loncin. Various brands produce sufficiently high-quality and diverse equipment.
Homemade vibratory plates are not recommended – often, such plates do not comply with safety regulations. Homemade electric vibratory plate – often a source of electric shock, the quality of a homemade machine with a gasoline or diesel engine can also be low, making homemade units often engineering miscalculations that reduce the characteristics of the vibratory plate.
One of the main technical characteristics of a vibratory plate is its weight.
By weight, they are divided into:
- Very light (less than 90 kg). Such machines are used in agriculture and for the arrangement of areas adjacent to a private house.
- Lightweight (90-200 kg). Used for large soils and asphalt paving.
- The average (from 200 to 500 kg). They are used for compacting a large layer of coarse-grained soil.
- Heavy (over 500 kg). Used to create a surface with strong compaction.
What’s the right way to work with a vibratory plate?
Working with a vibratory plate requires skills, including work techniques and safety precautions. To protect themselves from vibration, the operator needs special clothing. The operator must stay behind the vibratory plate and not lean over it! Vibratory plate work time: 30-40 minutes with 10-minute intervals.
Remember – select equipment for specific jobs based on manufacturers’ recommendations:
- Check the equipment – both the engine and the components – for malfunctions before work;
- Users of vibratory plates with gasoline or diesel engines should check the oil and fuel levels in both the hydraulic system and the engine;
- No areas of the total surface area to be compacted should be skipped;
- The compaction of the different levels of the multilayer cushion must be done separately;
- The optimal number of ram pad passes over the compacted surface is 4-6;
- The level of the compacted area should not exceed 2 cm; 7;
- Properly compacted soils or building materials can only be compressed with regard to their properties;
- The higher the frequency of vibration, the more convenient for the compaction of soils of small gravel or sand fractions;
- If the device is used for the compaction of loose small fractions, it is necessary to moisten the surface layer of the material.
How to ram sand with a vibratory plate?
Tamping of sandy soils is a major part of construction work. Tamping is performed to compact the sand when backfilling under foundations, vibratory plates are used when laying sand under the tiles of sidewalks, for tamping the sand in the floor arrangement.
There are several options for sand grit – fine sand (2 mm to 0.5 mm or finer):
- medium-grained sand (about 2 mm);
- coarse sand (2.5 to 3 mm).
To provide the best compacting of the sand, you should follow the rules: for high-quality compacting of sandy soil, the sand is placed in layers to tamp the layer, and pass at least three times.
The thickness of the sand layer should not exceed 10 cm. The compaction of sand with a vibrating rammer should be wet (it is important not to moisten too much, but also not to compact the sand dry, so as not to clog sandy dust aggregates). Ideally amenable to compacting gravelly sand, which is more resistant to compression. It is recommended to sift for effective compaction of loose, including sandy building materials.
Additional features
In addition to the basic parameters of choice, some features are necessary for certain construction tasks.
These include:
- Irrigation system;
- Mat;
- Semi-circular cantilever sole;
- Transport wheels.
The sprinkler system is required for vibratory plates designed for asphalt paving or for the compaction of viscous mixtures.
It wets the platen’s work surface, preventing the material from sticking to the soleplate. The sprinkler system consists of a tank with a tube for water supply to the platen base. In some models, the tanks are included in the delivery set, while in others they must be purchased separately.
A mat is necessary to lay paving tiles or decorative cobblestones.
Rubber or polyurethane mats reduce exposure to vibration and protect the material from damage.
Polyurethane mats are the most popular because they have improved durability and last longer.
Semicircular cant of the sole. There are boards with a flat sole cant and boards with a semicircular sole cant.
Initially, this may seem like an insignificant factor, but if your goals include paving asphalt, then using a slab with semi-circular edging is more appropriate because it will provide the smoothest surface in the end of the job.
A board with a straight edge will leave a streak on the finished asphalt, while one with a semi-circular edge will not.
Transport wheels are a handy accessory because carrying even a small plate weighing 50-70 kg is not so easy. Another thing if it can be rolled to the car or the warehouse on special wheels.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when considering the purchase of a vibratory plate, several key parameters emerge as crucial factors to prioritize. These include aspects such as the plate’s size and weight, engine power and fuel type, vibration frequency and amplitude, and additional features such as water tanks or electric start options. Selecting the right vibratory plate becomes a manageable task by carefully evaluating these parameters and determining your specific requirements in terms of project scope, terrain, and budget.
Navigating the available options becomes more straightforward once you’ve identified the parameters that align with your needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize compactness for ease of transport and maneuverability or require higher engine power for tackling heavy-duty projects, understanding your priorities allows you to narrow down the selection and choose a model that offers the ideal balance of features and price.
Ultimately, investing the time and effort to research and assess these parameters upfront can lead to a more informed decision and a vibratory plate that meets your needs effectively. With the right model in hand, you can confidently tackle compaction tasks, knowing that you’ve selected a tool that is well-suited to the demands of your projects.
