1. Tamping Rammer (Gas Engine) Gas powered, walk behind tamping rammers are some of the most commonly used pieces of equipment for soil compaction. From the most industrial jobsites, to the Do-It-Yourself homeowner, you will find this type of machinery on just about any job that requires soil compaction.

What can I use to compact dirt?

Soil can be mechanically compacted by applying force with a roller, hoe or rammer. A roller looks like a drum aerator, minus the spikes. Pulling this weighted metal drum over the lawn crushes the soil. In a pinch, a heavily loaded wheelbarrow can do the same job.

How do you compact soil in tight space?

Reversible plates and trench rollers are ideal tools for confined site applications. Both reversible plates and trench rollers can compact soil in confined spaces. When considering which of these compactors to use, the type of soil and size of the job need to be taken into account.