Wacker plate info

[DonDonson]

Been looking for a wacker plate second hand on eBay and come accross this one below for only £219, seems very good for the price, brand new and delivered, anyone got any comments regarding wether this is a good machine for the money will be greatly appreciated. It will only be for general occasional use.

Just copy and paste below description in eBay


Heavy Duty 3hp Engine Petrol Compactor Vibrating Activator Plate HS-50 New

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Burnerman]

I don't own one of these but I have repaired a couple......not impressed, really!
Chinese engine - thats ok - but there's no clutch and as soon as you start up the bloody things off on its own.
It only walks reasonably well at low speed.....the compacting mechanism is just an off balance counter weight, after all. Speed the thing up and it vibrates but doesn't walk at all.
I think its definitely one of those things that you get what you pay for - personally I'd hire a professional one if I needed one of these.
The owners of the machines I've fixed weren't impressed either!
John

 

[skhudy]

I have one of these, I bought it from my DIY drive for £150.

Anyway, it works fine - or should I say worked fine, but where the counterweight spins round, the metal angle holding it to the body of the wacker has cracked.

It was borrowed when this first happened and professionally welded, but it's cracked in another place which I've welded myself but it won't hold, but I've thought of another way to repair it when I have the time.

In short, it's o.k for DIY but don't expect it to do more than a few jobs (and don't lend it to anyone!! I saw it sitting out in the rain when I picked it up, people don't take care of other peoples tools!). It did save me the time and money hiring one so did pay for itself in the end.