Full Product Manual
Never use a “pressure washer” to clean your plate 
compactor. Water can penetrate tight areas of the 
unit and cause damage to spindles, pulleys, bearings, 
or the engine. The use of pressure washers will result 
in shortened life and reduce serviceability.
MAINTENANCE
Maintaining your compactor will insure long life to the machine 
and its components.
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
1. Turn off engine. Engine must be cool.
2.     Keep the engine's throttle lever in its SLOW position, and 
remove spark plug wire from spark plug and secure.
3.     Inspect the general condition of the plate compactor. Check 
for loose screws, misalignment or binding of moving parts, 
cracked or broken parts, and any other condition that may 
affect its safe operation.
4.  Remove all debris from the plate compactor with a soft brush, 
vacuum, or compressed air. Then use a premium quality 
lightweight machine oil to lubricate all moving parts.
5.   Clean the bottom of the compactor base as soon as it begins to 
pick up soil being compacted. The unit can not do a good job if 
the bottom surface is not smooth and clean.
6. Replace spark plug wire.
CHECKING V-BELT(S)
To ensure optimum power transmission from the engine to the 
eccentric shaft, the V-belt(s) must be in good condition and 
operate under proper tension.
1. Turn off engine. Engine must be cool.
2. Remove the belt guard to access the V-belt(s). (See Figure 7a)
On new machines or after installing a new belt, check 
belt tension after first 20 hours of operation. Check 
and adjust belt every 50 hours thereafter.
3.     Check the condition of the V-belt(s). If any V-belt is cracked, 
frayed, or glazed, it should be replaced as soon as convenient.
4.     Check the V-belt tension by squeezing them in the center. 
The  normal  deection  on  each  side  should  be 3/8"(9mm)  to 
1/2"(13mm) with moderate pressure from your thumb or 
nger. (See Figure 7b)
TENSIONING V-BELT(S)
Proper belt tension is critical to good performance.
Proper adjustment will assure long belt life. Too much or too little 
belt tension will cause premature belt failure.
1.     Loosen 4 engine mount bolts (do not remove) only enough to 
move the engine forward. (See Figure 8a & Figure 8b)
Figure 7a
Figure 7b
3/8”
14
Plate Compactor 
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 Operator’s Manual  
Operation 
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10 mm
13 mm
29140US25M100.indd 14 2017/3/20 13:50:26










