The quality of road surfaces is largely determined by the characteristics of the equipment used in the paving process. The more technologically advanced, more productive and more convenient it is to use, the more likely it is to make a durable cover. At the same time, the tasks can be different, and highly specialized equipment for professional operation does not always justify itself in their implementation. An intermediate place between the industrial and domestic segments of laying machines is occupied by a gasoline vibrating plate, which is used at the stage of compacting road fillers.
General information about technology
Vibrating plates are included in the general class of road construction equipment and are used for compacting sidewalk and asph alt surfaces. This is done by tamping a coating made of crushed stone, soil, sand or gravel. Some modifications also work successfully with tiled materials when arranging paths. With all the responsibility of the work performed, this technique has a fairly simple device. The direct functional working body is a metal plate (press or platform) made of cast iron or high-strength steel. Just under its pressure, certain layers of the road surface are leveled and rammed. The plate is driven by a power unit. In this case, a vibrating plate with a gasoline engine is considered, although there are also electric and battery models. The control is carried out by the operator, who sets the optimal performance for a particular bulk material and directs the vibrating plate through a special handle through the target area.
Specifications
Power is the defining parameter for this kind of technique. Fuel engines are considered the most productive, but it should be noted that gasoline is inferior to diesel in this indicator. The average power of the unit is 4-6 kW. Such models move at a speed of about 20 m/min., providing a centrifugal force of 15 kN. By the way, the centrifugal force determines which layer in thickness the gasoline vibrating plate will effectively cope with. For example, a 15cm cover would require a 22kN model, while 30cm would need to be machined with a 35kN powerplant.
The degree of compaction also matters. How tightly the target layer will be seated. So, lightweight models weighing up to 75 kg are suitable for working with soft fillers - sand, gravel, etc. Due to the affordable price, lightweight gasoline vibrating plates are used in private households for laying paving slabs andpaving paths. The middle segment represents universal units weighing about 90 kg. This is already a good option for the construction site and utilities. If you need to compact special viscous soils, clay and gravel by 30 cm or more, then you can not do without a professional vibrating plate weighing 140-150 kg.
Model Champion PC9045F
Professional unit, but medium power. The proprietary G200HK four-stroke engine produces 6.5 horsepower. with., which corresponds to 4, 8 kW. A plate with a size of 450x500 mm and a weight of 90 kg allows this machine to serve 416 m2 in 1 hour. The model is suitable for compacting crushed stone, sand and special asph alt mixtures to a depth of 30 cm. In order to improve ergonomics of control, the designers brought the throttle control mechanism to the handle. The creators also thought of a protective coating, which, among other things, protects the surface of the case from corrosion. The optional innovations of the Champion PC9045F gasoline vibrating plate include an electronic ignition system and a device for minimizing vibrations on the handle, which adds comfort when operating the equipment.
Model "Caliber BVP-13/5500V"
Another representative of the middle segment, but without a hint of professional positioning. The machine has a power of 4.1 kW with a mass of 82 kg. The centrifugal force of 13 kN makes it possible to deepen soft construction fillers by 30 cm. But the main advantages of the domestic vibrating platethis version is not in power, but in structural ergonomics and maneuverability. This option is suitable in cases where it is required to prepare the base layers of the coating before repair work. At the same time, Caliber gasoline vibrating plates of this series cannot be called quite budget-friendly in terms of options and protection systems. For example, the modification in question received a forced cooling system with overheat protection, a throttle with a lever on the handle and retractable wheels for moving on a hard surface.
Zitrek z3k60 Loncin
Lightweight soil compactor designed for small repair and construction projects. Powered by a 4 kW Loncin 160F motor, the machine achieves compaction up to 25 cm. Of course, this is a modest figure compared to competitors, but what it lacks in performance with a very low centrifugal force of 11 kN, it makes up for in functionality and mobility. The fact is that the design of a 63-kilogram vibrating plate with a gasoline engine running on AI-92 fuel is best in compacting granular soil and soil mixtures in local remote areas. Large machines in this case are inefficient, since a small amount of direct compaction is required, but with frequent movements.
DIAM Model VM-80/5.5H
Also not the most powerful version in the class of professional plate compactors, but this solution also has its advantages over productive competitors. It's worth starting withcombination of high energy efficiency and functionality. This combination was achieved through the use of a Honda engine. Petrol vibrating plate VM-80/5.5H is provided with a four-stroke modification GX-160 with a power of 4 kW, which at the same time produces a centrifugal force of up to 13 kN. This allows serving sites of 650 m2 in 1 hour. To quickly start the Japanese power unit, the developers also provided a manual starter, which quickly starts the vibrating plate into operation. Ease of transportation has been achieved with a folding handle and wheels under the case, while the protective properties are provided by a metal casing on the case.
Model Neuson BPU 2540A from Wacker
A very unusual development that combines contradictory, but, as practice shows, useful performance properties. So, the engine of this model has only 4 kW, like previous models. It would seem that this is acceptable even for the professional version, but the price tag of a Wacker Neuson gasoline vibrating plate is about 250 thousand rubles. For comparison: the models discussed above are available on average for 25-50 thousand rubles. What justifies such a big difference in prices? The weight of the cast-iron platform, which is 140 kg. The powerful press makes it suitable for companies professionally maintaining concrete and asph alt roads, sidewalks and high-density areas.
Positive reviews of vibrating plates on gasoline
As a middle option between electric and diesel units, suchtechnique shows optimal performance. Users themselves note high performance, speed and comfort in management. The main thing is to make the right choice of a model that will meet specific requirements. As for reliability and working life, then in these parameters a lot will depend on the choice of a particular manufacturer. In particular, under the brands Wacker and Champion, the most durable gasoline vibrating plates are produced. Reviews of Caliber products and other domestic brands also do without harsh criticism, but in this case, some nuances must be taken into account. Firstly, such a technique in itself is not designed for complex and voluminous tasks of soil compaction. Secondly, it has a big plus in the form of maintainability, which is supported by the availability of spare parts on the Russian market.
Negative reviews
The use of gasoline technology as such provides a lot of advantages over electric motors, which is expressed, for example, in the possibility of remote work. However, the owners of vibrating plates on liquid fuel also note serious shortcomings. High fuel consumption when servicing large areas is expensive for services that repair road surfaces. For example, as the owners of Wacker gasoline plate compactors point out, high-performance models of this company consume 0.8-1 liters with a fuel tank capacity of about 4 liters. Accordingly, during daily multi-hour operations, impressive expense reports are generated. ATin the private sector, users of household models of vibrating plates also point to environmental insecurity, expressed in gas emissions. Still, manufacturers provide most of the gasoline seals with powerful power plants with appropriate emissions into the atmosphere.
What to consider when choosing a model?
In addition to the performance characteristics already discussed, it would be useful to pay attention to additional options and small structural details. For example, there are reversible models that are equipped with two vibration exciters on both sides of the plate. This technique is distinguished by the possibilities of forward and reverse motion. The use of reverse is revealed on construction sites and road surfaces, where there is no possibility of a convenient turn of equipment without special devices. The irrigation system will also benefit. Since the paving mixes may be accompanied by their coating with bituminous mortars, wetting the working slab will eliminate the risk of material sticking. The structural part should provide for the possibility of expanding the platform. Such an option, in particular, is provided by Champion professional class gasoline vibrating plates. Special metal plates are installed on the main module, thanks to which the area of one-time coverage of the surface by the vibration action is expanded.
Conclusion
To get a good result already directly in the workflow, it is not enough to make the right choice of vibratory compactor. The operator must have the appropriate skillsdealing with him. So, before work, you should warm up the engine well until it is able to give maximum speed to the base of the platform. Depending on the thickness and characteristics of the filling of the coating, a gasoline vibrating plate must be passed over the site one or more times. In the case of viscous, hard and stagnant materials, the most productive mode of physical impact should be chosen. After completion of the work activities, the plate is cleaned, the structure is disassembled and sent to the storage place in a single set. In the future, maintenance will mainly be expressed in the repair of the engine and the replacement of consumables. Again, in order to avoid problems with the search for spare parts, it is recommended to give preference to Russian-made equipment. But, on the other hand, imported models have a higher element base resource in principle.
