COMPACTOR ATTACHMENTS

HOW TO CHOOSE COMPACTOR ATTACHMENTS

 The right Bobcat® compactor attachment turns loose backfill, base and subgrade into solid, job-ready ground so your work stays put. Start by confirming which compactor types are compatible with your carrier (loader vs. compact excavator), including the correct mounting interface and hydraulic requirements. Then match the attachment to the work – trench width, coverage area and soil conditions – so you get the density you need in fewer passes. 

Compaction Work Type

What kind of compaction do you plan on doing the most? 

• Utility trenches and backfill: Narrow runs for water, power, gas and fiber. 
• Pads, approaches and flatwork: Driveways, parking areas, building pads and patchwork. 
• Tight or hard-to-reach areas: Along structures, in narrow trenches, around hydrants and on slopes.  

Once you know the primary job, it’s easier to pick between a plate compactor, trench compactor, vibratory roller or packer wheel. 

When to Choose a Plate Compactor

Choose a plate compactor attachment when you want serious force in spots where walk-behind machines struggle. 
  
Mounted typically on a compact excavator, the plate compactor delivers more compaction force than a hand-operated plate compactor and lets you compact from above the trench instead of putting a person in the cut. It’s a strong fit for: 

• Trenches, footings and slab areas. 
• Compaction on slopes and in tight spaces. 

Go plate compactor when reach and trench access are top priorities.

When to Choose a Trench Compactor

Reach for a trench compactor attachment when you need to finish narrow trenches quickly and consistently. 
  
The trench compactor works best in trenches 4 to 12 inches wide and up to 4 feet deep, using a vibratory shaker box to hit density in almost any soil type. Replaceable pads let you size it to your typical trench width. Use it when you’re compacting backfill after cable, water or power line installation, running long, narrow trench lines where a roller or plate doesn’t fit as efficiently. 

When to Choose a Vibratory Roller

Choose a vibratory roller attachment when you need to cover ground and hit compaction specs on wider areas. 
  
Mounted on a loader, the vibratory roller brings drum width, bi-directional vibration and drum oscillation to jobs where production matters. 
   
The offset drum design lets you compact tight to curbs, walls and sidewalks, and you can choose smooth drums for sand, gravel and asphalt or padded drums for clay and heavy soils.

When to Choose a Packer Wheel

Pick a packer wheel attachment when you want simple, no-hydraulics compaction for backfilled trenches and small areas. 
  
An 11-inch-wide sheep’s foot wheel penetrates through each lift of backfill to compact from the bottom up, eliminating bridging and voids. It’s ideal for: 

• Backfilled utility trenches. 
• Tight spots around hydrants, posts and structures. 
• Jobs where you want a compact, low-complexity attachment. 

Use it when you want dependable trench compaction with minimal setup and no auxiliary hydraulics. 

Quick Checklist

1. Primary task: Narrow utility trenches, general backfill, flatwork prep or road/paving work. 
2. Trench or area size: Trenches, wider trenches, pads or long runs.
3. Material and soil: Sand, gravel, asphalt patch, clay or mixed fill. 
4. Carrier type: Loader or compact excavator, and whether you have auxiliary hydraulics available. 
5. Access: Need to stay out of the trench, reach around obstacles or work tight to curbs and structures. 
6. Finish level: Utility backfill vs. spec-grade base for paving or slabs. 

Once you narrow it down, your local Bobcat dealer can help you match the right compactor attachment to your machine, soil conditions and specs so your ground is ready to hold whatever you build on it.