whacker vs roller

[EggsBenedict]

I want to compact an area of MOT Type 1 that's at least 150mm deep. Measures 11 x 5 m. I can hire an 8cwt roller, or a whacker. Which do I go for? I think roller at this point as it should compact more? I guess getting it into the corners might be harder though? Any thoughts.

[Gingerbread Man]

Always used a wacker plate through my landscaping years.

[Willy Nilly]

Get the whacker plate, the wife will want to use it

[Gingerbread Man]

Willy Nilly said:

Get the whacker plate, the wife will want to use it

For a good pounding?

[B17NNS]

Good vibrations.

Whacker is the tool for the job.

[TA14]

That's quite a big area to use a whacker plate for so I'd prefer a roller since it's easier to use, is faster and gives better compaction; it might be difficult in the corners but you can do small areas with a sledge hammer. 150mm is about the maximum thickness to compact.

[RC1]

you need both

[Tuvra]

TA14 said:

That's quite a big area to use a whacker plate for so I'd prefer a roller since it's easier to use, is faster and gives better compaction; it might be difficult in the corners but you can do small areas with a sledge hammer. 150mm is about the maximum thickness to compact.

I'd disagree with all that. I'd say 11mx5m would be too small to use a roller, 55m2 is nothing (basically a large double garage).

I'd say whacker and tarmac rammer for tight corners.

[Woody3]

We've got both.

The Roller is good for areas over 100m2 in my opinion, where it is easier to turn/manoeuvre. Anything under that, we tend to use the whacker plate. Back in April we compacted 400mm thick MOT Type one in 100mm layers over an area of 11.00m x 6.00m and it didn't take long at all.

[EggsBenedict]

Cool - I'll get the whacker. I don't know how much difference it makes, but I've sort of effectively done two layers as I had a 3.5 tonne digger that I used to move the type 1, and ended up driving that back and forth over it a bit. Mostly flat after that. I've done a further 9.5 tonne spread and raked by hand, so it's the total I'm whacking.

[bigee]

whacker and several passes over entire in different directions.

[Spudler]

"Whacker"? I'm guess most of the posters don't work in the construction industry.
Also, a wacker will not compact anywhere near the same as a roller.
Use a tamper/rammer for the corners etc

Edited by Spudler on Thursday 18th December 20:27

[andy43]

Spudler said:

"Whacked"? I'm guess most of the posters don't work in the construction industry.
Also, a wacker will not compact anywhere near the same as a roller.
Use a tamper/rammer for the corners etc

I borrowed a roller years ago to compact mot for my blockpaving. 2 wheels/drums, yellow, may even have been diesel, walk behind with throttle and controls on the handlebars.
There is no way on this earth a whacker plate could even get close to what that thing did. You could see the hardcore literally disappearing down beneath the thing. Neighbours thought there was an earthquake.
Roller.

[Muncher]

andy43 said:

I borrowed a roller years ago to compact mot for my blockpaving. 2 wheels/drums, yellow, may even have been diesel, walk behind with throttle and controls on the handlebars.
There is no way on this earth a whacker plate could even get close to what that thing did. You could see the hardcore literally disappearing down beneath the thing. Neighbours thought there was an earthquake.
Roller.

Thanks, this is exactly what I wanted to hear!

[wolfracesonic]

andy43 said:

Spudler said:

"Whacked"? I'm guess most of the posters don't work in the construction industry.
Also, a wacker will not compact anywhere near the same as a roller.
Use a tamper/rammer for the corners etc

I borrowed a roller years ago to compact mot for my blockpaving. 2 wheels/drums, yellow, may even have been diesel, walk behind with throttle and controls on the handlebars.
There is no way on this earth a whacker plate could even get close to what that thing did. You could see the hardcore literally disappearing down beneath the thing. Neighbours thought there was an earthquake.
Roller.

You've waited long enough to tell us

[TA14]

wolfracesonic said:

andy43 said:

Spudler said:

"Whacked"? I'm guess most of the posters don't work in the construction industry.
Also, a wacker will not compact anywhere near the same as a roller.
Use a tamper/rammer for the corners etc

I borrowed a roller years ago to compact mot for my blockpaving. 2 wheels/drums, yellow, may even have been diesel, walk behind with throttle and controls on the handlebars.
There is no way on this earth a whacker plate could even get close to what that thing did. You could see the hardcore literally disappearing down beneath the thing. Neighbours thought there was an earthquake.
Roller.

You've waited long enough to tell us

To be fair, he did reply within a day.

[andy43]

TA14 said:

wolfracesonic said:

andy43 said:

Spudler said:

"Whacked"? I'm guess most of the posters don't work in the construction industry.
Also, a wacker will not compact anywhere near the same as a roller.
Use a tamper/rammer for the corners etc

I borrowed a roller years ago to compact mot for my blockpaving. 2 wheels/drums, yellow, may even have been diesel, walk behind with throttle and controls on the handlebars.
There is no way on this earth a whacker plate could even get close to what that thing did. You could see the hardcore literally disappearing down beneath the thing. Neighbours thought there was an earthquake.
Roller.

You've waited long enough to tell us

To be fair, he did reply within a day.

Hmmm, I probably need to change that now to 'over a decade ago'....