Plate compactor Q

[gofish]

Just a quick Q re. plate compactors/wacker packers. I have been wanting to buy one for a long time now but you don't get a lot of good ones come up 2nd hand at a good price. I am considering buying the Full Boar one that Bunnings sell. Has anyone had experience with this brand ? I figure for the same price as something online with a "Lifan" engine I should be OK & Bunnings take back any products that have issues. Thanks a lot.

[Hoges]

do you want to use it professionally or have you got a lot of pavers to lay?

[gofish]

do you want to use it professionally or have you got a lot of pavers to lay?


It is not for professional use but will do a lot of jobs (family & friends). I used to do landscaping so I know a bit about them, but then we used expensive equipment. My Q is more related to these "cheaper" options that are available.
This is the one I have been looking at : http://youtu.be/u3Wv2mbm5Qg

[Homestar]

Although I don't know anything about this compactor, before Summer I bought a cheap mower with a Chinese 'Honda' copy engine. I have been very (pleasantly) surprised that it starts first pull - every time, and runs like a clock.

With good quality control, some of these Chinese engined machines seem to be ok. Not sure how much it is, but it could be worth a punt. I like the wheels that fold underneath it so it can be moved easily.

[DoubleChevron]

How did this work out? I have some driveway pavers to lay ..... so will need to compact the base properly!

seeya,
Shane L.

[austastar]

This is the one I have been looking at : YouTube (http://youtu.be/u3Wv2mbm5Qg)

Hi,
Video not available.
Cheers

[DoubleChevron]

Hi,
Video not available.
Cheers

This thread is 5 years old, but it looks like bunnings still has the same compactor for sale!

Full Boar 25cm 5.5HP Plate Compactor | Bunnings Warehouse (https://www.bunnings.com.au/full-boar-25cm-5-5hp-plate-compactor_p6290271)

The power doesn't matter, or weight, so much as the bottom plate is downsized by the same amount as the weight, it should still compact the same amount .... but just over a smaller area :)



seeya,
shane L.

[1950landy]

Although I don't know anything about this compactor, before Summer I bought a cheap mower with a Chinese 'Honda' copy engine. I have been very (pleasantly) surprised that it starts first pull - every time, and runs like a clock.

With good quality control, some of these Chinese engined machines seem to be ok. Not sure how much it is, but it could be worth a punt. I like the wheels that fold underneath it so it can be moved easily.
I also bought a Chinese self drive mower , always starts first pull. For what it cost to buy & working on a 5 year life Work's out around $40 a year so if it lasts more than that the cost will come down. I looked at Au brands , most had Chinese motors but were 3 to 4 times the price.
Only once it would not start , I checked the plug looked ok so rang the mob I bought it off & they put me onto a mobile mower repair man. He said before he came out for me to go & bur a new sparkplug , told me which brand & the part no , put it in & started on 1st pull. He told me with air cooled motors the plugs brake down up in the middle of them due to the heat.
The mower has a solid blade & is 4 years old now & other than the spark plug & oil changes have not had to do anything with it . At this stage I luold think it may get to 10 years & by that time I will be paying some one to mow for me.

[Homestar]

5 years on and my cheap mower still starts first time. Blades need replacing though but I always thought the mower would die before this needed doing. 😇

[steveG]

I borrowed one of those wackers recently, and I was very underwhelmed. Maybe it had something wrong with it, but the issue was would only just move along, and definitely had to be pushed. Just seemed like it didn't get to high enough rpm.

I was going to use it for compacting the crushed rock in prep for concrete slab (130m2) but quickly realized it was going to take me all day.
Hired a proper one and almost had to chase it around!!

Steve

[County4.4]

I bought one of these last week for a job I am doing.
$499 at bunnings. I would have had to hire a compactor for 3 days anyway so i figured it was worthwhile. I'll slip the price into the bill somewhere, saving on equipment hire for the Client anyway.
Did the job no worries. Crushed stairs and path as well as a bocce court. No complaints.
No a big unit but was perfect for the job, getting roung tricky areas.

[steveG]

I bought one of these last week for a job I am doing.
$499 at bunnings. I would have had to hire a compactor for 3 days anyway so i figured it was worthwhile. I'll slip the price into the bill somewhere, saving on equipment hire for the Client anyway.
Did the job no worries. Crushed stairs and path as well as a bocce court. No complaints.
No a big unit but was perfect for the job, getting roung tricky areas.

Good to hear. Makes me more confident the one I borrowed had issues.
Does yours have the clear polyurethane pad on the plate or just bare steel?

Steve

[DoubleChevron]

I have about 100 squares of paving to lay (80 squares of interlocking "zigzag" type 90mm thick pavers that can be driven on). I look at the bunnings one ... then pinnacle wholesales (located 10minutes drive from my house)

Compactors & Road Saws (https://www.pinnaclewholesalers.com.au/tools-and-machinery/compactors)

Hmm... you can buy one with Honda power (that may make it easier to sell on) for not a lot more.

https://www.pinnaclewholesalers.com.au/image/cache/data/compactor6/thumb-350x350.jpg

$680 for a 90kg honda power unit .............. Hmmm... the compactor will still be chinese crap, but the difference between buying and selling price may make it cheaper in the long run (I wont be keeping it once I'm done as why would I ever need ot use a compactor again ?)

seeya,
Shane L.