Altrad Belle Compactors

A forward plate compactor travels in one direction only and reversing means turning the machine by hand, which makes it a good fit for large, open areas when compacting soil and sub-base layers. A reversible plate compactor switches travel direction with a lever, without turning the whole machine, so it is easier to work with in trenches and tight corners. For block paving the usual choice is a light forward model weighing 60–90 kg fitted with a rubber mat on the base plate, which protects the edges of the blocks from chipping; on larger paved areas reversible machines of up to roughly 150 kg also work well.

Compacting soil and sub-base under a foundation calls for heavier forward or reversible plate compactors weighing 100–300 kg with a centrifugal force of 20–60 kN, which pack thicker aggregate layers and non-cohesive soils to a depth of tens of centimetres. Paved surfaces call for lighter machines of 60–100 kg fitted with a rubber mat on the base plate, which removes the risk of damaging or discolouring the block surface as the machine passes over it. The final choice also depends on the thickness of the bedding layer and on the type of soil beneath the surface.

The NORWIT.PL range includes a forward Altrad Belle plate compactor with an electric drive, powered from a 230 V supply through an extension lead of at least 1.5 mm² conductor cross-section, with no exhaust emissions and a lower noise level than petrol units. That drive suits work indoors, in cellars and in halls, where venting the exhaust of a petrol engine is difficult or ruled out by health and safety regulations. The petrol model keeps full mobility independent of any socket and runs continuously for as long as the fuel tank allows, typically 3–4 litres, which makes it the better choice on an open site over longer shifts.

A typical plate compactor weighs from about 60 kg in light forward models up to 300 kg and more in heavier reversible units, with centrifugal force rising accordingly from roughly 10 kN to 60 kN. Non-cohesive soils, sand and bedding layers under paving need no more than a 60–100 kg machine, whereas cohesive soils such as loams and clays, along with thick sub-base layers, call for 150–300 kg and a higher centrifugal force to reach the required degree of compaction at a depth of several tens of centimetres. A machine too light for dense ground adds to the working time and never delivers a durable result.

A plate compactor, commonly called a vibrating plate, compacts material through the point impact of a steel plate driven by an eccentric shaft, and suits areas up to a few hundred square metres — foundations, pavements, trenches and driveways. A road roller compacts by continuously rolling a vibrating drum typically 60–130 cm wide, with a machine weight from around 300 kg up to several tonnes, which is why it is used for building roads, car parks and large yards covering thousands of square metres. For domestic and finishing works, a plate compactor is the cheaper and more versatile choice.

On block paving the basic accessory is a rubber mat fixed under the base plate — it cushions the impacts and protects the edges and surface of the blocks against chipping, cracking and the discolouration that bare metal transfers. Mat thickness is usually 15–25 mm, which is enough for concrete and clay pavers without losing compaction performance. It is also worth keeping a spare air filter and spark plug for petrol models, plus a set of transport wheels that make it easier to move a machine of 60–150 kg between working points on site without damaging the finished surface.

Altrad Belle is a brand of compactors and construction equipment belonging to the French Altrad group, which in 2009 acquired the British manufacturer Belle Group, ending more than 50 years of independent trading for a company founded in the United Kingdom in the 1950s. The takeover meant design continuity: the production plants and the product line of plate compactors, rollers and mixers were kept on under the new Altrad Belle name. For the user this means that consumables and service remain available both for older machines badged Belle Group and for newer Altrad Belle models.

An Altrad Belle plate compactor should be serviced to the periodic inspection schedule: check the air filter and oil level daily or every 8–10 operating hours, change the engine oil usually every 50–100 hours, and replace the spark plug and fuel filter roughly every 100–200 hours, depending on the model and working conditions. In daily site use also keep an eye on drive belt tension and the condition of the eccentric, and after working on block paving clean the base plate and rubber mat of dust and small stones, which accelerate wear of the rubber.