Gas powered vibrating plate compactor

[Mandelon]

So I had a project where we finished up an incomplete bocce ball court up in Carlsbad. The owner didn't quite finish and they were putting the place up for sale. We took care of the last 10% and made it look nice. The seller had purchased a plate compactor just for the job. It was on site, was super clean but did not start. He ended up giving it to me. Simply because he didn't want to hassle with it and we did a nice job for him. He moved to Florida.

So now I have it. We have a duplex rehab in Cardiff by the Sea. Part of that job is blowing out the old cracked concrete patio and walkways. Then laying a DG base and installing paver bricks. If the soil settles, the bricks don't crack. Being on a hillside settling isn't uncommon. So I figured I would spend a bit of time and try to get this compactor working. I took the carb apart and cleaned it all up, blasted it out. Put in fresh gas. Reinstalled the carb ( which was clean inside, no varnish at all) and just about had a coronary pulling that starter rope 2,386 times. Tried starter fluid, pulled the spark plug. This thing has maybe three hours run time on it. Briggs and Stratton 950 engine. The oil is still amber and new looking.

I couldn't get it to fire up. My tech was planning on using it today. I was supposed to have it ready. He didn't ask me, he just picked up the machine from the shop and took it to the job today. LOL He's got 1,324 pulls on that rope so far. "Boss, we can't get it to start!" "Me neither" I replied.

He has two strong young helpers. I suggested they just pick it up and compact the soil manually....by dropping this boat anchor on the dirt. "Mr George, the new guy, he's no good." He's gonna go and rent one.

Its a Vevor. Seems like a cheap brand, but the Briggs and Stratton motor ought to be decent. At least the price was right. I guess I will have to spend some time on Youtube to see what could be wrong. Small motors are supposed to be easy.

 

[n2otoofast4u]

If it doesn't fire on starting fluid, I'd check for spark.

 

[WYRD]

Stupid question but is the on off switch turned on or is it possibly malfunctioning? You could check that with a multimeter. You should have continuity with the switch in the on position. Another thing to check is the low oil cut off switch. Should be threaded into the side of the oil casing.

 

[Mandelon]

Switch was on, wiring looked good, but yeah, the multimeter is the next step of investigation.

 

[obnoxious001]

If it doesn't fire on starting fluid, I'd check for spark.

Yep, spark and compression

 

[NicPaus]

I have had similar issues with 1 of mine. Ordered a new $15 Chinese carb and it fired first pull. But it sat for a year and the Guys forgot to turn of the fuel and let it run until clear. All of mine are Honda powered and are pretty bullet proof.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Stupid question but is the on off switch turned on or is it possibly malfunctioning? You could check that with a multimeter. You should have continuity with the switch in the on position. Another thing to check is the low oil cut off switch. Should be threaded into the side of the oil casing.

These two here^ Bypass to check is the easiest way on the jobsite. Those things by nature shake and the solder joints can break near or in the switches. The other thing could be a fouled plug. Seen homeowners leave stuff sitting on it's side for a long time.

 

[WYRD]

Switch was on, wiring looked good, but yeah, the multimeter is the next step of investigation.

Or simply pull out the plug connect it back to the spark plug wire and have your Apprentice hold it and wrap the cord a few times see if you got Spark

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

Those have a "low oil" shut off sensor. Make sure that didnt get unplugged.

 

[stokerwhore]

check the kill switchand it's wiring? gas in the float bowl? i was about to buy a vevor for a bunch of stuff around the house.....

 

[BingerFang]

Gotta be an ignition issue.

 

[braindead]

Those have a "low oil" shut off sensor. Make sure that didnt get unplugged.

and make sure it has enough

 

[Mandelon]

 

[OCMerrill]

I have never wasted a day or even an entire weekend trying to get any of the near 20 small engines on various shit we use to just run.

Well at least not today anyway.......Yet.

I like the lift it up and drop method.

I have purchased several Honda Engines to replace B&S engines over the years. So anti-American I am.

 

[zhandfull]

I’m liking the new guy that is smart enough to go rent one. Work smarter not harder.

 

[pixrthis]

I have a chainsaw lawnmower shop that’s great with these type of things, there’s probably a good one near you.

 

[Orange Juice]

If parts availability is reasonable, fix it, and buy another one for back up.

 

[JDKRXW]

What's your time worth?

https://www.harborfreight.com/65-hp-212cc-ohv-horizontal-shaft-gas-engine-epa-69730.html

Edit: I see there's a coupon now;

 

[FCT]

If you’re in a pinch I have one and I’m in Menifee.

 

[Sharky]

 

[stokerwhore]

So, what was the outcome here? How do you feel about your Vevor now? I'm gonna buy a compactor like that here pretty quick and want to know if i should pass on the vevor.

 

[Mandelon]

I couldn't get it to run. It is now sitting in the side yard. Worth what I paid for it. LOL I don't have an immediate need for it, but I will probably order a new carb.

 

[Your ad here]

So, what was the outcome here? How do you feel about your Vevor now? I'm gonna buy a compactor like that here pretty quick and want to know if i should pass on the vevor.

I would get a Mikasa/Multiquip unit. Call rental yards and see if they have any used ones for sale. Sunbelt, united rentals, Herc, Precision.

 

[NicPaus]

They have 2 on hand at Thompsons. $2300 plus tax. 15 years on 1 of mine no issues.

 

[lbhsbz]

Those engines are gigantic pieces of shit IMO. I bought one for my pressure washer, it ran exactly once and could never get it to run correctly again after it sat for a month. new carb, new plug, ignition module, it didn't care. Threw it in the trash and bought an electric pressure washer. Shoulda bought a Harbor Freight engine, they seem to work well.

 

[Your ad here]

FWIW these style plate compactors are only good for compacting about 1.5" of loose material. They're not meant to compact 3", 4", or 6" of material without multiple lifts. If you are compacting anything over 1.5" per lift you'll want to use a drum roller or a jumping jack. Plates are only really good for ironing out lines and 1.5" of compaction of loose material per lift.

 

[NicPaus]

I had a Wacker plate compactor that weighed 710 lbs. It would compact 4" of base in 1 pass. Better than 1" of base in 2 passes with the 1 I posted above. It was just a pain in the ass to move.

 

[stokerwhore]

I just got bunch of sections of quarter minus i'm compacting to prevent weeds around a 1 acre lot. home owner shit, nothing serious. i have a drum roller and it doesn't really do shit. Looking at a 6.5 horse motor deal that wont break the bank or die prematurely. it's not going to have a hard life around here....