5 Question To Answer When Renting A Compactor

The compactor is one very effective machine that can be used for various tasks where ground compaction is needed. Generally the compactor is described as a construction machine that is capable to reduce the size of soil or waste material through the process of compaction. These machines are powered by hydraulics and can be found in many sizes and shapes. From small plate compactors, dirt compactors, ride on compactors, asphalt compactors, soil compactors to big drum roller compactors, they are included in various projects like road construction, landscaping, soil and asphalt compaction and many other construction tasks. Today on the market different models of compactors can be found depending on your needs. You can either purchase or decide to rent the compaction machine that is needed. The contractors are turning more towards the renting option, simply because it is more economical decision and because many of them do not have storage place where to keep the soil compactor once the job is done. Although it is more economical decision, renting however requires close attention. 

There are several questions that need to be answered in order to choose the right compactor for your job.

• What Type Of Material Is Going To Be Compacted? If you need the compactor for soil compaction, know exactly the type of the soil. For sand or gravel compaction, soil compactor with smooth vibratory drums is required. For clay materials you should look for pad foot or sheep foot roller compactor. The moisture level of the soil is another factor that needs to be closely considered when renting the compaction machine, because depending on the moisture level different compaction machines with different configurations are needed. If you plan to compact layers of asphalt, look for proper asphalt compactor, but keep in mind the density level that needs to be achieved. The asphalt mixture will affect whether you need to go for pneumatic compactor or vibratory drums asphalt compactor.

• How Thick Are The Lifts? The thickness of the lift is a key consideration when renting a compactor. If the lifts are very thick, high vibratory force and more weight is required. The weight of the machine is another important factor that needs to be considered in relation with the size of the lift and the compaction density. For example, a heavy compaction machine on a thin lift usually causes over compaction, while on the other hand a lightweight compaction machine used on very thick lift can leave some parts of the lift to be improperly compacted.

• What Is The Nature Of Your Work? The nature of your work will have a strong impact when renting a compaction machine. For example, soil compaction includes slopes or base compaction, trench compaction and many other related tasks. For completing all these tasks you will need to rent proper soil compactor with the required power performances. Asphalt compaction requires strong and powerful vibratory asphalt compactor. Small size compactors are ideal for light soil or asphalt works. Make sure that the rented compactor is powerful to meet and to complete your specific job.

• What's The Size Of The Area You Are Planning To Compact? The width of the drums is very important factor when compacting, and bigger drum is not always better. Some would say that bigger drums are more productive. But on the other hand, compactors with smaller drums can complete the job in few passes and can reduce over compaction. Normally for a tight and confined areas you will need compactors with smaller drums. For asphalt compaction take a look to the width of the asphalt mat.

• Is Water System Needed? For asphalt compaction you need to look for asphalt compactors that are equipped with water systems. Such water systems will prevent the asphalt materials from sticking to the drums of the compactor. Always rent compactors that are equipped with pressurized water tanks that are capable to hold enough water for the entire working day. These water tanks ensure that the right volume of water is being poured on the drums of the compactor.