How to Compact Crusher Dust — Our Top Tips- Mini Excavator Bucket

Keywords: excavator skid steer adapter, mini excavator skid steer attachment

Crusher dust is a material mixture of small blue metal rocks, concrete, finer dust, and soft sand. Typically, the dust, sand, and fine particles are leftover from recycled concrete, which is being crushed into smaller rocks. The step by step process to correctly compact crusher dust is:

1. Use a mini loader with a bucket to load and transport large amounts of crusher dust around the construction site.
2. Use levelling bar attachments to quickly and evenly spread the material around.
3. Wet the material. Wetting the crusher dust not only reduces the amount of dust in the air but also allows for a firmer compaction rate.
4. Once wet, use a vibrating plate to further compact the particles together (please note that depending on the area that needs compacting, larger machines could be used)
5. Go over the same area multiple times to achieve the desired level of compaction.

Some things to consider before compacting

• The size of the area to be compacted
• The compaction rate required (if known)
• The soil type required to be compacted
• The finish which is required after compaction.

Compacting material such as crusher dust can be used for multiple projects including creating a smooth surface between cement pavers, driveways, yard garden pathways, gaps between paving and stone, and more.

Equipment you will need to compact crusher dust

A large, heavy plate compactor is often used to compress types of rock dust; however, it is essential to know what kind of machine is required before starting a project. There are different types of compactors that can be used.

Upright Rammers

Also known as wacker packers or jumping jack, this machine is used to compact cohesive soils due to the plate size. The smaller plate size allows for more focused and direct compaction. They are also great for a job that is tight access as they are easier to manoeuvre compared to larger machines. Upright rammers also have the ability to compact a deeper amount of soil than a plate compactor, which generally means it is more durable. Upright rammers are used for more direct and focused compaction on gravel, bedding sand, pebbles, filling, and other materials that need compacting. Mainly used in trenches, around pipes, manholes, or any other places where other larger machines are unable to fit.

Pedestrian Rollers

Also known as walk-behind rollers, the pedestrian roller is a great option suited for cohesive materials such as soil or clay. They are more commonly used for road base or rock dust which forms a layer below pavement, driveways, or parking spaces. They are more suited for larger areas when compacting materials tightly is required. An advantage of using a pedestrian roller on a job site is their ability to complete large-scaled areas which need compaction more efficiently than other equipment.

Tandem Drum Roller

For larger areas of rock dust that need to be compacted, larger machines could be required. Tandem Drum Rollers can be used to compact rock dust, gravel, sand, road base, soil and other mixed materials. Essentially this machine is a larger version of a pedestrian roller that can be used to compact a larger unit of materials.

Plate Compactors

Plate compactors, also known as vibrating plates, are ideal when working with granular soils due to them using vibrations to help settle materials to prepare for smooth compacting. Compactor plates have a wider upright hammer, meaning that the weight and compaction forces are spread out over a greater area. They leave a smoother finish for larger flat surfaces due to their ergonomic design and operating procedure. Plate compactors even lay rock dust, stone, rock, mulch and any mixture of soils. They are mainly used for road base, gravel and sand for a smooth foundation.

Know what you need? Find the right supplier for you today

Depending on the size and type of compacting job needed to be completed it is essential to understand which machines are best suited for your project. The cost and delivery of equipment to hire and buy differ depending on the supplier and can be found at hydraulicmagnet. We’re Australia’s largest online construction marketplace with thousands of suppliers to suit your needs on-site. Need more help? Email our expert project team with any questions or queries so we can find the right supplier for you today.