The Right Equipment
One of the best ways to ensure proper compaction is to select the proper equipment for the project. The majority of landscape projects require the use of a single-directional vibratory plate.

For most interlocking-paver jobs, a single directional plate capable of 3,000 - 5,000 pounds of centrifugal force is sufficient.

The one exception is the compaction of cohesive soils. A tamper is often suggested to compact excavation layers comprised of cohesive, or clay-based, soils that require impact as opposed to vibration to achieve proper compaction density.

However, for most interlocking-paver jobs a single directional plate capable of 3,000 - 5,000 pounds of centrifugal force is sufficient. In addition to the centrifugal force, frequency, or the number of times the plate exerts force onto the surface, should also be considered when selecting a plate compactor. A higher frequency is often more suitable for the small aggregates used in interlocking-paver projects.

A fully-protected, high-horsepower engine and a solid base plate are also important features to look for when selecting plate compactors. A high-horsepower engine ensures optimized performance with minimal demands on the engine, while a fully protected engine compartment design offers prolonged life by protecting the unit from job site hazards. A solid base plate produced from a material such as nodular cast iron enhances durability.