The compactor is designed for use in confined areas and is particularly useful in compacting gravel , cohesive clay and granular soils to prevent settlement and to provide a firm and solid foundation for the placement of footings, concrete slabs and foundations, It is also used in patching on asphalt and filling open trenches for gas pipelines, aqueducts and wiring installation.
You can apply tremendous force to the soil surface in consecutive impacts, evenly leveling and ramming the gaps between the soil particles to raise their dry density, that is, the weight of the solid soil particles per unit volume.
Summary
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- 1 Essential parts that make up a compactor or rammer
- 2 Operation of a rammer – kangaroo compactor
- 3 Features of the rammer or compactor
- 4 Care and precautions in the use of rammers and compactors
- 5 To extend the life of the kangaroo rammer or compactor
- 6 What should never be done
- 7 Sources
Essential parts that make up a compactor or rammer
- Fuel tank and cap.
- Throttle lever: It is the one that controls the enginespeed and the tamping operation of the shoe.
- Engine OilDipstick: Indicates the engine oil level.
- Oil filter: Prevents dirt and other debris from entering the engine.
- Oil bathplug: It is the one that must be removed to add oil to the oil bath tank.
- Oil level sight glass: Indicates the oil level in the oil bath reservoir.
- Drain valve: It allows to eliminate the oil from the bellows.
- Shoe: Plasticor laminated woodpiece with a tempered steel plate for greater shock absorption.
- Silencer: Necessary in all vibratory impact tools, it is used to reduce noise and vibrations.
- Engine Air Filter: Prevents dirt and other debris from entering the engine.
- Decompression lever: It is used to start the engine and must be pressed to clutch, once the engine is started the lever returns to its original position.
- FuelFilter : It is located inside the fuel tank and prevents dirt and debris from entering the fuel system.
- Recoil Start Handle: Used to start the engine.
- Handlebar: It is the part that the operator holds to handle the tool.
- Bellows: It is the deposit of the oil bath.
How a Rammer – Kangaroo Compactor Works
The source of energy of a compactor is cooled engine air which, depending on the model, can be supplied with gasoline or diesel, the transmission of energy is achieved by increasing the speed of the motor to engage the clutch or clutch centrifugal and then reducing it substantially by means of gears, whereby rotational motion is converted to reciprocal (vertical) motion.
In the part of the tool where the up and down movement takes place there is a lubricated and high resistance spring (or a system of springs), so that its force and the weight of the rammer combine to develop a powerful compaction force on the shoe.
Features of the rammer or compactor
The compactor is a manual tool that works in vertical position, the characteristics of each compactor vary widely according to the models, but in general the machine weighs between 65 and 80 kg, is approximately 1 meter high and generates between 500 and 800 impacts per minute. , with an impact force ranging from 1 to 1.5 ton.
Usually it shows a forward speed of 10-15 m per minute and is capable of compacting an area of 140-280 m2 per hour, the dimensions of the footing make up a rectangle of about 25 x 35 cm, although there are also square shapes .
There are models of environmentally friendly compactors that not only provide great isolation for vibrations, but also silencers or low noise 4-stroke engines, which eliminate the need to use the gasoline and oil mixture, typical of the 2-stroke engines.
Care and precautions in the use of rammers and compactors
For the optimal performance of this tool, proper operation and services are essential, so all the instructions in the user manual must be followed , and since it is a machine that emits high levels of vibration, the operator must also take precautions to protect your health .
To extend the life of the kangaroo rammer or compactor
- Keep all filters (air, oil and fuel) of the tool clean .
- Always use higher grade fuel and oil.
- Check the correct lubrication of the spring or springs before use, inspecting the oil level through the corresponding sight glass.
- Renew the oil, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Empty the fuel and oil tanks when the machine is transported to distant places or when it is not used for a long
- Operate the machine in an upright position and hold it firmly by the handlebar with both hands.
- Ensure that the footing always impacts parallel to the ground.
- Using gloves to keep hands warm and reduce the effect of vibrations, these cause serious problems in the bones, joints, muscles, circulation and nervous system , for this type of tool the use of anti-gloves is highly recommended. vibration.
What should never be done
Increasing the speed of the motor above the recommended, this will not only not improve the efficiency of the compactor, but the impact will be less, because instead of creating a compacting effect, a resonance is originated, with the consequent damage to the unit. Use the tool on sloping ground, where it may become unbalanced, for example on foundations on steeply sloped piles or banks, or on firm ground such as asphalt or cement . Working indoors or with poor aeration, this condition not only causes engine damage, but combustion gives off carbon monoxide, which is a deadly gas.
