Buying a compactor plate

[Snowman]

Ive got a large DIY driveway job to do. I need to place quite a lot of MOT1 by hand, which I'll have to compact in several passes meaning a weeks hire of a compactor plate. I then have to lay a couple of bases for workshops. Rather than hiring a compactor at least 3 times, I was considering buying one, and selling when done.

Benefits are I don't have the bother of booking/collecting from hire place and can work at my leisure (weekend only work). Hopefully I'll be able to resell the plate at less of a loss (or at least breakeven) than all the hiring costs over the projects.

However, can a suitable compactor be had for £500? I don't want to spend more than that. I see some 83kg unbranded machines on eBay and machinemart, such as THIS

Plate Size: 540 x 420mm
Compaction force: 13000N
Travel speed: 25 m/min
Compaction depth: 30 - 35cm
6.5HP Petrol engine
Ergonomic handle - Wheel mounted
Weight: 84kg

Any view gratefully received. Cheers folks.

[seanandruby]

That plate doesn't seem all that heavy.
For a driveway you need something a bit meatier that will ram the arse out of it.

[Snowman]

Cheers for the reply. I thought that might be good enough as it's as heavy as the largest ones hss hire do.... But going by your reply, I need this kind of thing THIS

[lutonlagerlout]

I will get shot down but the sheppi looks ok if you do the stone in 75mm layers which you should anyway,might have a poor resale value
IME 85kg is fine for domestic drives
LLL

[rab1]

that's the boy, just don't take it over the finished job.

[seanandruby]

As you can see by the description the scheppi doesn't actually mention drives. It mentions patios and landscaping. The other one seems the better one to me. I would of recommended a roller ( in the risk of being shot down ). Choice is yours, i know which one i would choose.

[lemoncurd1702]

Try some local independent tool hire, maybe cheaper than Jewson.

That price with Jewson is list price, you could get 40% discount if you push for it. Watch out for delivery charges.

[lutonlagerlout]

a sit on roller is the best but in the real world an 85kg plate is better than the real little 40kg ones
I would err for a second hand wacker brand rather than a new shleppi though
cheers LLL

[mickg]

according to this link on the Jewson hire site its just over £50 fully inclusive for the week to hire one, why even consider buying one ?

plate compactor

try phoning round the local hire shops in your area before you buy one

in my area you can hire a sit on roller from plant hire companies for around £40 for the day plus delivery, if you have the space to manoeuvre this is much better than any vibrating plate

[John156]

Might be worth getting a good make / heavy second hand one and still sell it on. If a wacker doesn't wack hard enough it's useless

[Captain Concrete]

My Brother has the SE dealership for these IMHO there very good: http://www.wackerneuson.co.uk/en....ta.html

WP1540 15kn compaction, 400mm plate, weight 75kg £780 plus VAT

VP1135 11kn compaction, 350mm plate, weight 60kg £750 plus VAT

Also what Mick say is right a roller would give much better compaction.

[lutonlagerlout]

that seems a good deal for the machine that gave the vibrating plat its name
the best wacker I ever used was a wacker not particularly heavy (around 75kg) but for some reason wacked better than any before or since
can you PM your brothers details CC?
cheers LLL

[Wacker Neuson South East]

Good afternoon
I'm Captain Concretes brother. I can offer a special deal on the WP1540 15kn compaction, 400mm plate, weight 75kg plate. To anyone quoting code pavingexpert25 we will offer either £25 off the price if you would like to collect the plate or free delivery. Just phone 01883 743322 and ask for Keaten.