Replies

1. 
   rez | May 12, 2009 04:42pm | #1

   bump

    

1. 
   DanH | May 12, 2009 07:39pm | #3

   That's what the Whacker does, alright.
   The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

1. 
   DaveRicheson | May 12, 2009 09:46pm | #4

   The 2540 is plate compactor. Not the jumping jack you're thinking of.

   From what I could find, it is a pretty big one, and that is why it needs a reverse.

   I use to run a big foot Wacker (16x16" ) jumper a lot. Controling it was no problem once you got the hang of it (like running a buffer). Loading and unloading it was a whole nudder matter. Best done with a sling and backhoe. At 330 lbs. the 2540 sounds like nut buster on par with the old jumper.

1. 
   sledgie | May 14, 2009 03:10pm | #5

   I tipped up the compactor so I could see what the bottom of the plate looked like, and found a thin layer of clay bonded to it.  I guess that caused enough friction to affect it.  After scraping it off and wire brushing, it runs like new.  That's pretty rare, an easy fix. 

1. 
   Ted W. | May 14, 2009 03:17pm | #6

   Not to break topic but just wondering, do you take the time to use a hand tamper (or in my case a scrap 4x4) to get all the edges? I always do but I've heard it's not necessary.~ Ted W ~

   Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netSee my work at TedsCarpentry.com

2. 
   joeh | May 15, 2009 12:43am | #11

   I tipped up the compactor so I could see what the bottom of the plate looked like, and found a thin layer of clay bonded to it.  I guess that caused enough friction to affect it.  After scraping it off and wire brushing, it runs like new.  That's pretty rare, an easy fix. 

   I'da never thought of that causing a problem.

   Learned something.

   Hope I never need it..........

   Joe H

2. 
   BillHartmann | May 14, 2009 06:33pm | #7

   I am trying to figure out what Reverse does on a Compactor.Does it fluff up the base?Inquiring minds want to know.
   .
   William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe

1. 
   DanH | May 14, 2009 07:14pm | #8

   I would guess on a large plate compactor the vibrator is arranged so that when it "hops" up there is an eccentric flywheel that nudges the thing forward slightly. Reverse would either change the phasing of the flywheel or simply make the whole mechanism run backwards.There could also be some "english" applied to the plate, pressing down on the back before the front or vice-versa.
   The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

2. 
   DaveRicheson | May 14, 2009 10:33pm | #9

   I don't know. I've never use on the size of the thing the OP has.

   I have run a few rentals that didn't want to go the other way when you flip the handle over. I reverse on thos POS would have been nice.

   Did you know a plate compactor can take the top row of block off a foundation wall if you don't back it up soon enough :-(

3. 
   BillHartmann | May 14, 2009 10:58pm | #10

   I guessed that was the case, but is does not have drive wheels like most things that go forward and reverse.Just one of those things that sound strange on first look..
   William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe

2. 
   DaveRicheson | May 12, 2009 06:19pm | #2

   Maybe ask these guys:

    

   http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=101670

    

   Sounds like they have some experience with your model.