My New 24" Felco Mini Excavator Compactor

[@arturoakaarthur]

Hey brother. A little tip a co-worker with 50 years of experience taught me, is if you compact with the mini blade behind you it essentially extends the pivot point further away from the machine allowing you to apply more pressure on the wheel before the entire machine tilts up. Better control and more effective compaction.

[@bjepple82]

I've got one made by Steel Unlimited on my 2.5 ton Hyundai. Absolutely love it. Technically, that is a padfoot compactor and mine is a sheepsfoot. A sheepsfoot is designed for cohesive soils (i.e. - clay) and a vibratory plate (that some people mentioned) is for granular soils (sand) while a padfoot is for combination soils. Regardless of what some people say, these DO in fact compact from the bottom up NOT from the top down like a vibratory plate. Using something with high frequency (like a vibratory plate) on clay soils can cause bridging and also drive out too much moisture (it will look shiny on top) and cause problems. I recently dug a core trench on a leaking pond dam and backfilled with good clay and added bentonite and compacted with my compaction wheel. Water level is already 15" above where it was before I started and holding. Just waiting for more rain. The blade feature is a "must have" IMO and I don't have any problems with it getting in the way. There is a whole lot more to soil compaction and soil strength than most people realize. Not to give Chris too much of a hard time, but I cringe when I see him backfilling plastic culverts without rock. Clay soil just doesn't provide the strength that aggregates do. Study after study can prove it both in the lab AND real world settings but many contractors don't understand it and customers don't want to pay for it. The only time I find it acceptable to backfill with clay is when it is a spillway pipe.

[@john_p]

3:10 so, not so much a compactor as a de-compactor 😄

[@TF856]

Also very handy for cutting test spots for soil compaction and moisture content by soil engineers. And that will compact the pond dams a hell of a lot better than just tracking it in. Any part of a dam that is compacted with that will be the very last part of the dam to wash away. 😀 Personally I hate running the wheel for hours on end. ☹️ But it may not be so bad on a nice machine like that. I got to run a Vio 35 and Vio 55 on a job recently.😁 I like your videos.

[@tomoaktree4951]

Hey Chris, Great Tool. Jumping Jack, or Rammers, are great for flat surfaces, but any kind of slope, and forget using them. They are also extremely heavy and cumbersome getting it from point A to point B, unless you have a handy two wheeled dolly or moving it with an excavator. This should work awesome on any flat or sloped area.

[@michaelscottalloway8915]

some thing else you may be able to use it for is seeding . When you put the grass seed down it can go into the "holes" that it leaves and have a better chance of growing .

[@deanehill9730]

That’s going to be a great tool for the sloping banks of ponds and down in trenches. Thanks.

[@danielroe845]

Brilliant things for embankments and trench compaction, especially the amount of work you do with clay.

[@terryeason4319]

I was thinking that too. tracking in the ponds where you couldn't get that dozer. you can lay a lot of grass seeds down in those holes and they would be packed holes.

[@felixcat9318]

The difference was really noticeable! This looks to be a very useful attachment, which you described well.

[@andyjones1310]

It really didn’t look like much until you started using it. It’s impressively simple and effective. Bring on the next attachment!

[@JerichoRally]

They need to make a vibrating version. That would be the stuff!

[@lichaprieto135]

FORMOLXXXJjtjttt , ,,,,,u Y Y,Lyon e, TONY LO,O

[@tracymenger352]

No need the sheep foot attachment doesn’t need vibration I’ve got 98 percent compaction on 10” lifts.

[@stuartandrews4344]

Felco already make Vibratory Compaction Buckets

[@blackw0lf993]

I personally wouldn’t want a vibrating sheep foot in a ditch that could father cause the walls to loosen up therefor putting the help in jeopardy. I see where for surface work it may be ok but then it also would add that extra weight to it that would also take away fro the versatility along with at some point if it’s on there someone meaning well or not would use it in a trench.

[@TF856]

They do make a vibrating flat plate that's hydraulically driven that's about 18 in wide by 2 ft long and works really well.

[@uppsalahazzemarkstedt2759]

Now it's maybe time for you Chris to look at Dynaset HVB all implement vibrator. You place it on stick and give you vibration for your compactor but also grading bucket to compact soil/gravel or loose sticky clay from inside it and a lot more usage. Very nifty thing to make your excavator more versatile. I really love it!

[@alansmith4734]

Great for compacting back fill soil, that is in a trench! Layer by layer compaction.

[@keithdunlap2701]

Yeah, That's gonna come in handy , like you said, on culverts, slopes, dams, ect. Those kinda hard to get to spots... Great add-on for the mini !! Have a Great Evening....

[@micah_lee]

This looks really fun to use. And it may be good for keeping the top layer good for grass while still stabilizing or compacting the dirt

[@jamesmathes1270]

Another addition to the Arsenal, Looks nice and practical 🤙👍

[@hyper-1]

Tenderizing the ground. Looks like a great attachment.

[@derrillbalshaw1199]

Now you are going to have to get a vibrating smooth roller for the mini's. So that you can compact the slopes of dams and ditches with the sheep's-foot then follow up with the smooth roller and leave a nice finish.

[@jamesrobertgrimes]

So you're slowing replacing Tim with attachments.

[@steveholton4130]

Nothing replaces an additional Operator or Truck Driver. Nothing replaces a person holding the Stick. sdh in CT

[@SeanONeill13]

That’s what she said!

[@Losttoanyreason]

LOL

[@TF856]

He will put Tim on that doing the compaction until he's sick of it, and then some. ☹️

[@TF856]

@Gaptooth Goblin lol

[@lorengolliher2712]

Also leaves a nice surface for seating and putting straw down nice piece of kit

[@philipblass6544]

It needs to swivel so you can run parallel to a run of pipe .

[@Nates707]

That would involve a tilt rotation

[@robertmuldoon23]

Thats what the swivel boom is for.

[@blacksheep9734]

@@robertmuldoon23 exact, Probably wouldn’t have the swing power for it without the tilt boom

[@kevinwatts1835]

Turn the machine

[@littlefinkle7757]

New tools are always a joy! They make attachments for almost everything. Now days a man can drop 90k on a skid steer or mini ex and drop a mill in buying attachments 👍

[@eliteearthworksllc]

That’s for sure 🤣

[@jaquigreenlees]

@@eliteearthworksllc says the guy with an attachment addiction.

[@eliteearthworksllc]

@@jaquigreenlees wwwwhhhhaaaattttt?! 😁

[@marcryvon]

You HAVE to call this the Timmy Attachment ! 🤣 Does the same job but without the Jumpin' Jack !

[@TheVideoSteve]

Now I see why you need some moisture in the soil to really more compact it. WTG Chris..

[@samuel_towle]

Finally, a back massager in my size. Wouldn't you need to turn it 90 degrees to compact along the sides of a culvert? hydraulic rotator in your future?

[@Stratos53100]

LOL

[@schlepd911]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@ConstructionMachineryChannel]

It's perfect for getting those knots out !

[@popwarhomie]

I know nothing about this stuff but sure seems more like an aerator than compactor lol

[@bostoncarpenter4317]

Aerators are pointy

[@itsjustamir08]

Thats sooo cool love the vids

[@TheUserid82]

The design dose two things at the same time 1st it puts all the pressure onto the pads so you get more compaction from the same weight and 2nd it puts keys into the layers locking them together to help prevent a landslide in the compacted area. For aeration you want spikes to ignore the majority of the soil as the goal is to not disturb the surface.

[@popwarhomie]

@@TheUserid82 Thank you sir.

[@koryleague8833]

@@TheUserid82 haven't watched the whole video but self propelled sheep's foot like those also viberwte

[@johnblecker4206]

That looks like a good investment mini compactor enjoy it.

[@dearanel936]

I love all these cute little toys you keep coming up with

[@blackw0lf993]

Looks like this will be a great addition to the mini’s tool list

[@hphillips7425]

I learn something every time I watch yours and mr. elites videos. It looks like a simple 4 hole flange bearing. Don’t over grease and blow the seals. It should last forever

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Sweet! Good to hear man I’m waiting on my quote for one of these now 😁

[@unti419]

My uncle built something like that using some big gears he found in a scrap yard. Worked pretty good for slopes and ditches but wouldn't get the 95% compaction the CoE often required. But this looks like it would work great in a lot of situations. I'd like to see the scraper blade reinforced with some gussets.

[@dowserdude]

OHHHH, i could do with one of these for my back,

[@davidrobins4025]

Slick tool that will save some back-breaking work.

[@kat2641]

I am REALLY looking forward to seeing it work on some good packing sticky clay 👍

[@coopmcknight]

A hydraulic vibratory attachment would be the icing on the cake! Might consider this at my rental yard!

[@larryshedd5734]

Chris been raining all day in Florida you probably going to get some of this storm. Nice attachment

[@ohforester812]

I am certain you have mixed portland in the fill when the soil is too wet. We passed compaction, barely, on a 20' dam backfill. Saved our bacon!

[@ricklane8554]

Awesome Chris, never seen such tools in Holland before :)

[@grahamallen3941]

Nice new toy Chris! Great acquisition for your mini’s. Safer for you too in sketchy areas. Take car3 be safe. Graham🇬🇧🇬🇧👍👍😎

[@valentingarciaabadillo6253]

Para

[@eloheiuvicas7158]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@kaydog2008]

That would be great for sidewalks, driveways, and padeos plus any landscaping.

[@paulscott4055]

Like a tilt bucket, you'll find a reason to use it all the time. They are a magic attachment to have.

[@ronpeacock9939]

New toys... those are always fun to play with!

[@stuartandrews4344]

Felco Roller Compaction Bucket would be a better option, & a vibrating flat plates useful a extra for a excavator.

[@brianmeattey4151]

New toys are allways nice and that will make things allot easier ..great lil vid godbless

[@stewartew]

It leaves loose dirt and creates pockets, which should retain water, grass seed and straw, looks like a winner.

[@donbraden8533]

Nice attachment chris that will definitely save you alot of time on the job sites 😎👍

[@jimp.4531]

with all your new toys, Mrs. LD18 better be getting her own SHE SHED, real soon.

[@george8873]

Always nice to get new toys to play with.

[@markreetz1001]

Nice addition to the toolshed. look forward to seeing it on the job!

[@teebugg66]

Looks like it’d be real nice for footers

[@kevingambrell]

Now that looks like a useful bit of kit! watched a lot of your videos and enjoy them very much so than you for your effort.

[@silentepsilon888]

darn, run the compactor wheel down your vegetable garden and you got the right holes and spacing for your strawberry and tomato seeds, then use the blade to cover them up in one pass. Vegetable planting done in 15 minutes.

[@marcwohlmayer7897]

Nice little compactor Right there . It will take a load of your work like you mentioned. Like To See that thing in action on One of your Projects. Nice To have as well and it compacts the dirt really well too.awesome Stuff Chris man 😀😀

[@oldman8268]

Can you get that in a 72” model for the 250?

[@brattachments1357]

Yes sir, we can build custom wheels to meet your needs. Please feel free to reach out to your area sales manager at BR Attachments for more info. You can find their contacts at www.brattachments.com

[@had2galsinthebooth]

That's what I was thinking, a 6' for the bigger excavators.

[@kenprevatt1267]

Lol

[@WhataTry]

Good purchase ...... you are the expert ...... .you know what is required, keep doing the great work.

[@davedavis662]

That new attachment breaks up the ground real nice! Oh wait..... seems a little to small to very effective other than small areas. Good luck first time I’ve ever doubted ya. I’ll keep watching I’m sure you’ll prove me wrong.

[@prattait7594]

Simple idea but effective! 👍

[@alexmodern6667]

Nothing like the right tool for the right job....Bravo Sir.

[@fgllc]

The nice thing about compaction wheels is they compact the trench from the bottom up giving you a tighter section. Jumping jacks, vibroplates and rollers compact from the top down.

[@aday1637]

Say what?? This thing works from the top, too.

[@fgllc]

@@aday1637 Those tines, feet whatever you want to call them roll themselves down to the bottom of the lift. as it packs down, the wheel walks itself up. Many soils inspectors in my area will not allow lifts greater than 6" to be compacted with anything else because of this feature. You can easily do lifts up to 12" with a compaction wheel and get >98% compaction

[@mupdog9697]

In Aust we call a Jumping Jack a "Wacker Packer" because that's what it does. ;-)

[@sassafrasvalley1939]

Australia or Austria?

[@mupdog9697]

@@sassafrasvalley1939 Sorry, didn't use correct abbreviation. Aus (Australia) as opposed to Aut (Austria).

[@sassafrasvalley1939]

@@mupdog9697 gotcha... here that means I understand... what do you say there?

[@mupdog9697]

@@sassafrasvalley1939 same same

[@bobfitzsimmons3490]

@@mupdog9697 Gotcha 🇨🇦 😉

[@MrSaemichlaus]

It tears out some of the dirt it just compacted. It might work better with a gear-tooth profile and tapered sides.

[@dudestuff3352]

So you finally found a replacement for Tim.

[@michaellee9006]

I've missed some videos. What happened to Timmy?

[@SawMan247]

Haha that was cold RIP Tim.

[@noahh4904]

@@michaellee9006 tim works for a different company, has for a few months now I believe

[@GlobalistJuice]

ha ha - I had the same thought. I bet if we listen closely, we can hear Tim saying "OH SURE ... wait till I'm gone to get this ...geesh!" ha ha

[@shawnwalters3931]

We had one that ran off hydraulics like a jumping jack did real good job, that’s like a good one too with not having to worry about hydraulic lines. Thank you for buying made in the USA. Love the videos keep them coming

[@davidbrickey5925]

Well that’s a new one I never thought about putting a sheep foot on a mini excavator.👍

[@aday1637]

Chris, I don't write but I watch each day...in my humble opinion that compactor would be so much more effective if it had a solid roller rather than those teeth. I'd retrofit that thing real quick. As rain washes over the waffle pattern it will pick up the loose dirt and move it along. I hate to say it but I see a dud.

[@letsdig18]

you get better compaction with the pads. more psi per sq inch. its not made for finish work just packing what gets covered up. then you finish grade it before finishing the job.

[@martineastburn3679]

Nice. And in some cases the 'holes' might be seading holes for coverage plants.

[@ranger2316]

... and after a hard day of digging ditches and moving dirt when your back feels tied in knots and all achy ... who wouldn't want an apparatus like this? The perfect way to massage all those aches away!

[@ChuckFickens1972]

After you for that one!

[@ranger2316]

@@ChuckFickens1972 Well ... just working the problem. 😁

[@TheFullyChargedGardener]

Looks like a great attachment. 👍

[@haroldhawkins9370]

Waiting to see what the compactor is going to do on the first job.

[@DonnaMSchmid]

Cool new toy! I can't wait to see it being used in future projects!

[@joshuarespecki1883]

Glad you got this. I commented about it before. I think a dam job you posted. They are very popular here in AZ.

[@dsdragoon]

Sheepsfoot rollers are normally used for compacting clayey soil. Vibratory rollers are best for sandy soils.

[@taylorromero8152]

This came for my home state 🤘🏼 #406 strong I use one ever day one of the best things you can have

[@dexhummer1]

Awesome add to the attachment!! Sheeps foot!! Great Vid Chris!

[@regsparkes6507]

Now, of course, I'm wondering about a 'giant' one for your larger Volvos. This 'sheepsfoot' compactor roller will do the trick I'm sure. Compaction is the answer!

[@ogreatmaster8334]

Neat, keeps you in the cab and not outside Timmy'ing with the jumping jack.......

[@oscarsantos2608]

Should have the blade turned backwards, it will compact better!👍

[@mischef18]

Well for the black sheep of your tools family it looks like it will do an honest job when required.

[@iSTAYuGO]

Is it Christmas already? Nah! What a handy - dandy attachment.

[@williamfindspeople4341]

Looks like it digs more than pack. Looks like you will still have use the drum roller.

[@williamingle1684]

Excellent for small tight areas!

[@kenactofkindness4017]

proud of you, turn super man pro compaction is key, save coming back redo it, stair step into existing 2 to 1 with clay 1 to 1 sands , good move sir

[@kenactofkindness4017]

16 inch loose sands, 10 inch clays stretching spec usually say 6 inch loose, yahooo

[@TheSnakeman3]

More goodies to make your work even better.

[@johncampbell6382]

Great thing to have and all the better it was made in the USA as I’m sure you’ll find plenty of jobs for it Chris 👍

[@kens.3729]

Dirt Disappeared. Now you See it, Now you Don’t. Magician is Added to your Resume, Chris. 😬👍

[@GraeMatterz]

Felco is located in my home town. Nice new toy!

[@craigwavra3495]

Noticed that in the first run, those teeth keep the drum clean. Nice little attachment.

[@briangardiner1015]

Plus you can see it walk out of the dirt the darder it got.

[@Mike.Howard]

Just need to get a drag line now!

[@palladini9718]

You should make your own thing out of a drum for packing, that thing leaves a lot of loose dirt, add a water drum above it and you have weight to pack.

[@brianbabb6666]

Now that you have used this for awhile would you recommend it for electric ditch compaction? we use jumping jacks and it seems to be never ending reoairs to keep them running looking for an alternative.

[@Ray_1990]

Hey Chris, Did you watch Andrew Camarata recent video where he got a skid steer vibration roller attachment. You wouldn't have to wheel around that big roller you have. pretty cool attachment I thought.

[@gordiehattrick]

I'd take it back, it works more like a tiller than a compactor!

[@bourbonthebiscuit]

We all love new toys awesome 👌

[@eliteearthworksllc]

Yep I’m going to need one of these 😁

[@joshandicoechea6770]

I will tell you i had one on a old backhoe but it was on the bottom of the bucket so you could dig and roll without changing to two different attachments and i loved it I honestly think your going to like that alot it works really good for compacting thoes colverts you do I probably now if I hadn’t sold mine would take the compaction wheel over my hydraulic compactor call me crazy but I really like them good luck

[@steveholton4130]

I was just thinking as I watched the previous video of compacting with the mini, "there has to be a better way than the shock being transmitted up the arm and boom and trough the pins and rams." Then like magic, PFFT, there it is. sdh in CT

[@RickyCervo]

Looks good for compact dirt near culvert pipes

[@joemascioni3101]

I guess Chris is playing..."he who has the most toys, WINS!!" Lol. I think you need to get S.O.T Metalworks to make you up some metal LD18 weld-on insignias to attach to all of your toys.

[@eddiekilby]

I bet it would work very good in a clay material.

[@RKHarm24]

Like the pond dam you had to do TWICE from the wash out. Do they make them larger, say for the 160 or 220?