How To Move A Plate Compactor

Last updated: July 2022.

How to Troubleshoot A Plate Compactor: A Complete Guide

Plate compactors, also called vibratory plates, are designated for cohesive and granular soils, too as asphalt. Plate compactors are an essential tool for soil compaction in the construction manufacture. Whether you are building a sidewalk or compacting asphalt, at that place may be problems starting upward your vibratory plate, costing you fourth dimension and coin.

Plate compactor engines work with gasoline or diesel fuel fuel moving the plate'due south heavy assembly weight at a loftier vibration speed to develop compaction strength. As a result, these vibrations cause forrard movement. As a rule of pollex, the heavier the plate, the more than compaction force is generated. The average frequency of a vibratory plate ranges from 2500vpm to 6000vpm (Vibrations Per Minute). Due to the nature of the equipment, it is not uncommon for plate compactors to have complications after excessive vibration.

The majority of your troubleshooting will focus effectually two areas: The engine and the belts. We recommend monthly and even daily checks to make sure your compactor is running smoothly.

We will guide you through a few quick maintenance tips to help you repair common plate meaty or issues:

Common regular checks for plate compactors

1. Bank check the fuel: Check if yous have enough gas and oil in your plate compactor. Additionally, if the hydraulic fluid looks opaque or discolored, we would recommend to change it immediately.
1. Note: Keep your plate compactor on a flat surface before checking gas, oil, and hydraulic fluid levels
2. Perform a "Hands-on" inspection: Make sure all equipment components are tightened. Vibration may accept loosened parts including the spark plug, air filter, and belt.
3. Launder plates: To avoid aggregating of dirt and other cloth, clean your compactor's plate and check if the engine has whatever accumulation of dirt.
1. Annotation: It is not recommended to utilise a pressure level washer to clean as this may cause damage to the engine. Using force per unit area washers could effect in an overall shortened life of your automobile.
4. Clean fuel tank: Before storing or transporting the plate compactor, drain the gas and oil tank. If operating under a heavy load or high temperatures, drain it more oft.
1. Annotation: Never remove remains of fuel while the engine is running.
5. Check the battery: Make sure the connections are not loose. Information technology would be safety to lubricate the poles with electrical grease for better connectivity and avoid the accumulation of acid on your battery.

Common Problems

Side by side, allow's look at common plate compactors issues and their solutions:

A. Engine will not get-go or volition non stay running:

1. Follow proper starting procedures listed in the Operations Transmission.
2. Check the engine switch: If the switch is set to "OFF", switch information technology to "ON".
3. Oil and Gas: Use 91 Octane Gas and clean SAE 10W-30 oil.
4. Fuel valve: If the fuel valve is turned "OFF", then turn to the "ON" position.
5. Set asphyxiate: If the choke is open, nosotros recommend closing the asphyxiate.
6. Control fuel levels: If engine is out of fuel, add together gasoline and/or oil.
7. Clean engine: Alter the gasoline in the gas tank. Old gasoline may affect engine ability.
8. Air Filter: Check the air filter for any dust bottleneck. This can reduce engine performance. Make clean or replace if needed.
9. The spark plug misfires: Clean up the spark plug and/or replace information technology in case that information technology looks worn.
10. Plate compactor is not on a level surface: To prevent low oil shutdown from triggering make certain your plate compactor is on a level surface.
11. Check the oil sensor: The cablevision may have shifted in transit and not accurately read oil levels – Unplug the oil sensor, which is the yellow cable.

Larn how to featherbed the oil sensor in this video:

B. Engine is running merely there is no vibration:

1. Check handle lever: If the handle is gear up to "MIN", movement handle lever to "MAX".
2. Drive belt is loosened or broken: Prepare or supplant immediately.
3. The oil level on the exciter box may be depression or possibly even too full. Remove the exciter box's drain plug screw while on a level surface. If there is too much oil the exciter will not have enough air to motion. If in that location is a burning aroma or smoke, y'all may demand to add oil every bit this could exist the exciter box gears.

C. Engine lacks power:

1. Follow proper starting procedures listed in the OperationsTransmission.
2. Oil and Gas: Use 91 Octane Gas and clean SAE 10W-thirty oil.
3. Clean or change your carburetor: A muddied carburetor may outcome from from bad fuel, droppings build up, low octane, and/or ethanol build upwardly, making your carburetor go bad. Utilise carb cleaner to make clean debris effectively. As well consider using a micro-sonic cleaner (jewelry cleaner) to effective make clean all gunk or build up on the inside of the carburetor.
4. Check the clutch: Inspect, make clean, and/or replace if needed.
5. Check the drive belt: the chugalug may be loose or broken.

D. Plate compactor is hard to control or compacts unevenly:

1. Check the speed: Make sure the throttle speed is not besides high by adjusting the engine throttle.
2. Basis surface is also hard: In some instances, the soil is besides hard, or has reached a maximum level of compaction. Test and check the soil's compaction level.
3. Rubber isolator is damaged or loosened: Replace it immediately.
4. Vibration mounts: supercede if damaged or worn.

E. Poor performance:

1. Check throttle: If information technology is not completely opened, adjust as needed.
2. The engine speed is depression: Use a tachometer and suit or repair the engine.
3. Reduced engine performance: Air filter may be chock-full with dust. Clean or supplant the air filter cartridge.

F. Soil is difficult to compact:

1. Moisten the soil: Use a garden hose to water the soil.
2. Test the soil: Squeeze a handful of soil with your paw and driblet it on the footing. Observe whether the soil breaks apart when dropped. If the soil does break apart, it means that information technology is likewise dry. If the soil keeps together in one piece when dropped, it is ready for compaction.

Maintenance

Proper maintenance of your plate compactor will preserve the life of your machine.

Following these tips on maintenance, you volition assistance ensure your equipment volition run smoothly throughout the busy flavour.

At that place are three main parts within plate compactors that have the most common problems: the engine, drive chugalug, and/or spark plug.

Overall, engine manufacturing is an essential cistron when keeping your plate compactor running for a long time. Well-known brands such as Honda, Kohler, Subaru, and Tomahawk Power are congenital with the all-time materials for long lasting products. Additionally, they can hands be serviced around the United States. Withal, other engines on a global level may exist cheaper, simply have an overall lower quality - causing y'all problems in your near future such as engine issues and job site stoppage.

In one case yous go familiar with conventional troubleshooting techniques, it is easier to proceed rail of your plate compactor maintenance. Avoid complications that could get out your job site stopped with these guidelines. We recommend agreement what engine is powering your machine. Based on the manufacturer's warranty and its quality, you volition exist able to brand informed decisions.

Additional Questions

1. How do I attach a wheel kit to my plate compactor?

Make your plate compactor portable with Tomahawk Wheel Kits. Smoothen-rolling never-apartment tires make it piece of cake to transport your plate compactor to and from the jobsite. Fitting both Honda and Kohler TPC80 models, add functionality and portability to your plate compactor with this easy-to-install wheel kit.

Larn how to attach a bike kit on a plate compactor here:

1. What is the Poly Pad for?

Paver Pads, also known as poly pads or polyurethane pads, are smashing for the compaction of concrete pavers and bricks, for outdoor patios, driveways, and more. Of course you lot can also utilize your vibratory plate without a pad, but you will discover many more broken or scratched bricks as a event.

Larn how to attach a poly pad on a plate compactor here:

Glossary

Tachometer: A tool that measures the working speed of an engine, typically in revolutions per minute.

Exciter: A bombardment that produces electrical current to produce magnetic field in a machine or motor.

For more information on our Plate Compactors, visit the Equipment Resources Heart.

Source: https://tomahawk-power.com/blogs/articles/how-to-troubleshoot-a-plate-compactor

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