Has anyone tried a trench compaction wheel that mounts on a backhoe or excavator?
No. I would just drop me mates harley down in there. No sorry just new.
hotwire, we own a Felco Compaction Bucket for a 20mt machine that we purchased new in 2001. This bucket lets you dig/backfill and then compact material. It does good with most of the soil types we have in Northeast Arkansas. You have to be careful not to compact too close to pvc pipes cause you can flatten them (no 8" lifts). It is a 24" bucket that cost around 10k in 2001.
Thats different:cool2 http://www.felco-ind.com/products/rolling_comp_bucket.html So how do like it? Does it work as they imply?
Never seen the compaction wheels being used but worked on a site where they were using the excavator mounted wacker plates for trench compaction. Seemed to work pretty well, they filled the trench to ground level then compacted then refilled and compacted again. Not sure if this was the right way to do it but the guy running the site seemed to accept it so I guess it was ok then.
Its not the perfect solution for all of your trench compaction needs--It sure does not compact mud (but what does), and you get less effect in sandy or small granular material. When you can get the conditions halfway right, it sure beats a trench compactor or upright tamp (jumping jack/wacker packer).
Im not sure how difficult it would be to get Felco products across the pond. Felco products are manufactured in Montana :usa & have been around for years. I guess it depends on the soil you are wanting to compact & the scope of work you are doing. Hope this helps.
I just bought a used backhoe that came with a big compaction wheel. It's a beast. Mines made by Gannon in Calif.