Dave Zimmerman from Zimmco Equipment Inc., also in Sparks, Nev., called Q&D to talk to Smith about a new four-cycle engine tamper. "I typically buy our tampers through Zimmco, so Dave knew what I was looking for," said Smith. "He said they had something far superior to the tampers we were currently running and was willing to let me try one for a while. I'd never turn that down."

"I put them both out on the Damonte Ranch High School job site because I knew they'd be run through the mill."

The new BT65/4 tamper was BOMAG's first unit to offer a four-cycle engine. Well aware of the performance and maintenance issues associated with previous attempts, BOMAG spent four years researching, designing and testing its new four-cycle tamper technology. Key to the project was BOMAG's work with Honda in the development of a new engine, the GX100, designed exclusively for tamper applications. The engine offered outstanding performance, while complying with stringent EPA tier II emissions standards. Featuring a diagonally split, rigid-crankcase design and a one-piece cylinder with cast-iron sleeve combined with BOMAG's use of an impulse/diaphragm-style carburetor instead of the troublesome float-bowl design, the GX100 engine not only addressed previous oil and fuel leakage issues, but also answered the power problems of earlier attempts.

Following a two-week trial of the new BT65/4 unit, Smith was impressed and decided to buy two units for an upcoming job. "I put them both out on the Damonte Ranch High School job site because I knew they'd be run through the mill," said Smith.