How Deep Will a Plate Compactor Work?

A plate compactor's depth of compaction depends on several factors, including the type of soil, material thickness, and the machine's force. As a rule of thumb, a compactor will compact approximately 1 inch of material for every 1,000 pounds of compaction force it exerts. Keep in mind that vibration frequency also plays a role: higher frequencies (around 5,700 vibrations per minute) are suitable for thin layers, while lower frequencies (3,000 to 4,000 vibrations per minute) work better for thicker layers1.