Walk/Tow Behind Compactors Upcoming Auctions

About Walk-Behind & Tow-Behind Compactors

Not every compactor needs to be a huge piece of self-propelled machinery. There are certain soil and asphalt jobs that are better-suited to smaller, walk-behind roller or plate compactors, such as in tight spaces, around manhole covers and utility panels, and in trenches. Meanwhile, a budget-friendly tow-behind roller compactor can perform larger tasks while being towed behind a tractor or other vehicle. Both are different in size and operation than self-propelled, ride-on compactors that tamp the surface with either smooth drums (large steel cylinders) or rows of pneumatic rubber tires.

Walk-Behind Roller Compactors

Walk-behind compactors resemble push lawnmowers. The roller style uses one or two small, cylindrical steel drums to pack down soil, gravel, concrete, asphalt, or other surfaces. With their compact size, they can often get up close to buildings and curbs. They’re just the ticket for road-patching jobs, back filling, and pipeline construction. The weight of a walk-behind machine is typically aided by vibration (rapid up-and-down motion) to do the work, while its grip or guide handle is isolated by shock mounts to make the unit comfortable enough to operate.

Depending on its number of rollers, a roller compactor is referred to as a single- or double-drum (tandem) model. BOMAG claims credit for inventing the walk-behind, hand-guided vibratory double-drum roller compactor with the BW 60 in 1957. Single-drum rollers are adept at patching jobs and working in confined spaces. Single-drum machines typically have smaller, supplementary stabilizing rollers to help keep them upright.

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Wacker Neuson RD7 Walk-Behind Compactor

Walk/tow-behind compactors come in a variety of weights and drum widths suited to almost any use. Walk-behind models range in weight from approximately 330 to 3,500 pounds (150 to 1,600 kilograms). Compaction widths usually range from about 25 to 33 inches (635 to 838 millimeters) for walk-behind roller models.

Manufacturers typically bevel the edges of the roller drums to keep them from tearing the surface or leaving marks. Many compactors like this include standard or optional water sprayers and/or scrapers to keep the drums from picking up hot, sticky asphalt.

Roller compactors often have hydrostatic drive mechanisms with infinitely variable speeds. They have to be able to accelerate and brake smoothly so they don’t distress the surface. Walk-behind rollers also must be able to climb grades. Many models feature high curb clearance and close side clearance to accommodate work next to curbs and walls.

Trench Rollers

Trench rollers, also called multi-purpose compactors, are specialized double-drum walk-behind compactors with padfoot drums and often articulated frames. They were first developed by Rammax more than four decades ago to pack down the floors of trenches and other confined spaces. Today, they’re controlled via walk-behind handlebars and/or remote control using infrared, radio frequency (RF), or cable connections.

Trench compactors excel at tamping down cohesive soils such as clay and silt. Some models have adjustable drum widths, such as the Multiquip Rammax RX1575, which can be adjusted from 24- to 33-inch compaction widths by adding or removing rings from the drum.

Plate Compactors & Tampers

Vibratory plate compactors and tampers pack down soil and other surfaces by hopping in place, so to speak. They’re especially useful in trenches and corners where a roller drum can’t fit. They may be one-way (optimized for forward motion) or reversible (also able to back up easily).

Walk-behind plate compactors range from roughly 100 to 2,600 lbs (47 to 1,185 kg). Their standard plate widths can vary from under 11 in. to more than 47 in. (330 to 1,200 mm). Note that some plate compactors can use extensions to increase their working widths (and weight, incidentally). For example, the Ammann APR 4920’s vibratory plate can be extended from 17.7 to 23.6 in. (450 to 600 mm) wide.

Smaller inline units, reminiscent of a jackhammer, are called rammers or tampers. A typical rammer may weigh 60 to 175 lbs (28 to 80 kg) or more. Foot widths can vary widely from 3 to 11 in. (80 to 280 mm).

Most compactors in the walk-behind category use gasoline or diesel engines with electric or pull start mechanisms. Some plate compactors and rammers, however, are powered by lithium-ion batteries, such as the Wacker Neuson AP1840e and AP1850e. Others, such as the BOMAG BT60G and BT65G, can run on propane or other gases.

Tow-Behind Roller Compactors

Unpowered tow-style or pull-type compactors can be towed by tractors or other vehicles for use in landscaping and similar applications. They can be an economical alternative to self-propelled models, although they don’t vibrate and rely solely on their weight to do the job. The operator may be able to adjust the weight of tow-behind packers by filling the drum(s) with water or sand or by adding other forms of ballast.

Towed compactors may use a padfoot drum, smooth drum, pneumatic tires, or foam-filled tires to compact soil, gravel, or asphalt. Some designs from Icon Industries, Double D Manufacturing, and others feature two padfoot drums side by side. Also, some models from WRT and others allow multiple compactors to be towed one after another like cars in a train. Typical empty weights for tow-behind rollers range from 4,250 to 14,220 lbs (1,930 to 6,450 kg), while compaction widths vary from about 79 to 150 in. (2 to 3.8 m).

Modern Features

Compactor manufacturer Ammann provides a representative view of some of the technologies and mechanisms available in current walk/tow-behind models. For example, the company’s ARW 65 walk-behind roller can operate at either high amplitude for soil and aggregates compaction or a low amplitude setting for asphalt. This versatility means that one machine can do the work of two.

Also, Ammann’s trench rollers now feature Ammann Compaction Expert, or ACE. This intelligent system shows a red light when the surface requires additional compaction and a green light when the required level is achieved. Finally, Ammann’s ServiceLink digital management system lets fleet operators check units’ battery levels and statuses on a smartphone.

Find The Right Walk/Tow-Behind Compactor

Popular manufacturers of new and used walk/tow-behind compactors available on MachineryTrader.com include Amman, BOMAG, Dynapac, Multiquip Mikasa, Wacker, and Wacker Neuson. Some of the most plentiful models on MachineryTrader.com are the BOMAG BMP8500 and BT65, Wacker RT82, and Wacker Neuson RTSC and RTLXSC-3.