Bobcat Wacker Plate Compactor Hire
Professional plate compactor for firm, flat finishes.
Bobcat wacker plate compactor — the essential tool for compacting sub-base, type 1, and sand under driveways, patios, and paving. Hire one instead of hand-tamping for the day.
A wacker plate is non-negotiable for any paving, driveway or patio project — hand-tamping sub-base is slow, inconsistent, and leads to settlement cracks later. The Bobcat wacker plate compactor delivers the centrifugal force needed to fully compact type 1, MOT, and sharp sand for a permanent, settlement-free base.
Heavy-duty steel base plate, Honda or equivalent petrol engine, forward-travel design for straightforward operation. One-person machine — no training required beyond the quick briefing we give on delivery.
Popular for driveway installations, patio sub-base prep, trench backfill compaction, and block paving projects where a proper base is the difference between a driveway that lasts five years and one that lasts twenty-five.
Key features
Ideal for
Driveway sub-base
Compacting type 1 or MOT sub-base under block paving, resin, or tarmac driveways.
Patio prep
Settling sharp sand and aggregate layers beneath patio slabs to prevent future subsidence.
Trench backfill
Compacting backfill over drainage and utility trenches to prevent future settlement.
Block paving installation
Final compaction of kiln-dried sand joints after laying block paving.
Specifications
| Plate type | Single-direction forward compactor |
| Engine | Honda petrol (or equivalent) |
| Base plate | Heavy-duty steel |
| Operation | Walk-behind, one-person |
| Portability | Lifting handle for loading |
Questions about this machine
Standard practice is compacting in 75-100 mm layers — a single wacker plate run won't fully settle a 200 mm dump of type 1 in one pass. Lay in layers, compact each, build up.
Yes — but use a rubber mat protection pad (we can supply) to prevent chipping or scratching the block surface. Without a pad, only use on bedding sand before blocks are laid.
Petrol — quicker cold starts, lower vibration, better for residential use. Diesel wackers exist but offer no advantage for day hire.
Not sure if this is the right machine?
Tell us the job — we'll recommend the best fit from our fleet.