FAQ – frequently asked questions

The range of applications for UAM plate compactor attachments is tremendously wide, and so are the number of carriers and hydraulic configurations out there.

If you need any information that cannot be found in our data sheets, make sure to check out our FAQ.

Please feel free to contact us at any time if you have a question that is not answered in our FAQ.

We will not rest until you are satisfied!

Warranty

Which parts are covered by warranty?

Consumables in the plate compactor – especially seals, elastomers, shock mounts, and hydraulic hoses – are not covered by the warranty.

Damage resulting from improper use or handling or from the use of hydraulic settings inappropriate for the corresponding use are not covered by the warranty.

What is the warranty period for UAM products?

Thanks to the high quality and heavy-duty construction of the components we use, we are able to provide a 24-month warranty (subject to components being used as intended and the maintenance instructions provided by the manufacturer being followed).

Maintenance

Do I have to lubricate the slewing ring on a regular basis?

UAM plate compactor attachments with a slewing ring have two grease fittings on the slewing ring.

Lubricating the ring on a regular basis (with the interval depending on how the attachment is used) will lengthen the service life of the premium worm drive slewing gear.

To do this, squeeze an adequate quantity of multi-purpose grease into the grease fittings. Then rotate the slewing ring 360° WITHOUT FAIL so that the grease will be evenly distributed across the ring gear. If you lubricate the slewing ring excessively and fail to rotate it, the lip seal on the slewing ring may be pushed out.

Which oil should I use when changing the oil in the vibrator housing?

UAM plate compactor attachments are characterized by a very large oil supply in the vibrator housing.

This ensures optimal cooling and lubrication for the corresponding moving components when running UAM plate compactor attachments continuously even at high ambient temperatures.

Due to the large oil volume, using standard motor oil will be enough, e.g., 5W-30, 10W-40, etc.

Embedment compactors

Can I use UAM compactors in embedments?

As a supplement to DIN EN 1610, the DWA-A 139 standard governs the proper compaction of utility trenches, among other things.

There are numerous advantages behind the use of automated compaction with plate compactor attachments mounted on an excavator, which is why leading companies have adopted this approach very quickly. UAM HD150T, HD200TS, and HD200TL embedment compactors conform to the “small plate compactor attachment” category as a result of their plate width and centrifugal force (at medium frequencies) and are accordingly allowed AND recommended for use in embedments in conformity with the rules and standards published by the German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste.

Hydraulics

Does my excavator need a case drain line in order to run UAM compactors?

Case drain lines are used to keep case pressures constant within a hydraulic system.

In general, a separate case drain line will extend the service life of the shaft seal on the hydraulic motor.

If the carrier being used does NOT have a separate case drain line, the accumulating leakage oil can also be routed into the return line.
In this case, however, it is necessary to ensure that the back pressure does not exceed 5 – 10 bar.

We use a special hydraulic manifold in our “small” HD150, HD250, and HD300 plate compactor attachments.

If the leakage oil connection on the valve manifold is plugged, the leakage oil will be automatically conveyed into the return line in this case.

Do the compactors need to run off the hammer circuit?

Running attachments off the hammer circuit is particularly energy-efficient.

However, you can also run all UAM compactors off the shear circuit (double-acting circuit).

The vibration motor rotates in one direction, and a check valve blocks flow in the opposite direction.

This also allows for operation with an alternative program on the excavator.

How come UAM compactors are particularly energy-efficient?

During operation, the hammer circuit reduces back pressures to the greatest extent possible.

This in turn reduces the required pump output and the excavator’s fuel consumption.

Finally, an adjustable flow control cartridge can be used to adjust the hydraulic flow and the resulting operating frequency steplessly.

Compactors WITHOUT a slewing ring

Are UAM compactors available without a slewing ring?

UAM compactors are available with or without a hydraulic slewing ring, e.g., for use on tiltrotators.

What is important to know when using compactors without a slewing ring?

When using plate compactor attachments without a slewing ring, we assume that you will be using a tiltrotator.

Since this means that the axis of rotation will be above the quick coupler mounting bracket, the mounting bracket must be adjusted in such a way that the base plate will not start “wobbling” when turning.

We have more than 25 years of experience with plate compactor attachments.