Drone Services
Access Equipment
Breaking & Drilling
Cleaning Equipment
Drying & Heating
General Site Tools
Compactors
General Site Tools
Plate Compactor Hire London | Belle PCX 13/40 Petrol Wacker Plate (400mm)
£8.40 - £59.99 + VAT
Latest estimated delivery date: Friday 22. May
General Site Tools
Reversible Plate Compactor Hire London | 18 inch Petrol Wacker Plate (25kN Class)
£13.99 - £99.99 + VAT
Latest estimated delivery date: Friday 22. May
Compactors Hire | Wacker Plates, Rammers & Vibrating Plates UK
Achieve strong, stable foundations with our heavy-duty compactors. Perfect for soil, gravel, asphalt, and hardcore, our equipment ensures efficient ground preparation for construction, landscaping, and driveway projects. Trusted by contractors and DIY users alike, our machines deliver reliable performance on every job.
Our Range Includes: Wacker Plates, Vibrating Plate Compactors, Trench Rammers, Reversible Compactors, Soil Compactors.
🚧 Compactor & Wacker Plate Hire — London
Petrol wacker plate hire London for patios, driveways and MOT Type 1 sub-base.
Forward 400mm wacker plate or 18 inch reversible plate compactor (25kN class). Block paving prep, granular sub-base, artificial grass base — Greenford UB6 collection or London delivery by booking.
Quick start
What are you compacting?
- 🧱 Patio sub-base→ 400mm forward
- 🚧 Driveway base→ 18" reversible
- 🪨 Hardcore / gravel→ Either plate
- ⚠ Trench / clay / indoor→ Call first
🚧 Job selector
Pick your job — get a starting tool
Six common London groundworks jobs and a practical starting point for each.
Two plate compactor options for the most common London groundworks jobs — from patio sub-bases to driveway prep. The 400mm Belle PCX 13/40 forward wacker plate is a practical starting point for hardcore, MOT Type 1 and granular sub-base on patios, paths and smaller areas. The 18 inch reversible plate compactor (25kN class) steps up for driveways, tight runs and heavier sub-base prep.
Tell us what you’re compacting and we’ll help you choose the right wacker plate. For trench backfill, very wet cohesive soil or indoor work, please call 020 3375 4048 before booking and we’ll advise on the suitable approach.
⚡ Quick answer
For patios, driveways and block-paving sub-bases, start with a plate compactor / wacker plate where suitable. For narrow trenches, very wet cohesive soil or indoor / enclosed work, call before booking so we can advise on the suitable approach. Always check ground type, layer depth, access and ventilation.
🧱 Ground type guide
Choose by ground type
Six common ground conditions across patios, driveways and groundworks — with a starting tool and pre-hire checks.
Ground type
Starting point
Best for
Check before hire
MOT Type 1 / granular sub-base
Plate compactor / wacker plate
Patios, driveways, paving base, artificial-grass base
Layer depth, moisture, edge restraints, access
Sand bed / block paving
Plate compactor (where suitable)
Bedding sand and final settling
Surface protection, paving type, plate suitability
Gravel / hardcore
Plate compactor / vibrating plate
Sub-base preparation and levelling
Stone size, layer depth, compaction passes
Trench backfill
Call before booking
Narrow trench reinstatement and confined backfill
Trench width, soil type, services, access
Clay or wet cohesive soil
Ask first
Not always suitable for a plate compactor
Soil condition, drainage, specialist need
Indoor / enclosed area
Ask first
Only where ventilation/safety setup is suitable
Petrol equipment, fumes, ventilation, access
⚖ Plate comparison
Forward 400mm vs Reversible 18 inch
Side by side — pick by area, ground type and how confined the work is.
- Plate width400mm (16-inch class)
- TravelForward only
- PowerPetrol — outdoor / well-ventilated
- ClassBelle PCX 13/40
✓ Best for
- Patio sub-base (MOT Type 1, sand, gravel)
- Smaller paths and footings
- Artificial grass base prep
- Domestic and lighter trade jobs
✕ Avoid when
- Narrow trenches or confined groundworks
- Very wet cohesive clay
- Indoor or enclosed areas
- Plate width18 inch (~457mm)
- TravelForward and reverse
- PowerPetrol — outdoor / well-ventilated
- Class25kN compaction class (model dependent)
✓ Best for
- Driveway and hardstanding sub-base
- Tight runs and edges (reverse helps)
- Heavier MOT Type 1 / hardcore
- Larger area paving prep
✕ Avoid when
- Narrow trenches (different equipment)
- Indoor or enclosed areas
- Jobs where forward-only is sufficient
🎯 Choose by
Choose by ground, layer, area and access
AGround type
- Granular (Type 1, gravel, sand) → plate compactor
- Cohesive clay → ask first
- Mixed with topsoil → ask first
- Existing surface → check protection
BLayer depth
- Thin layers compact better
- Multiple passes per layer
- Deep fills → multiple lifts
- Don’t compact one deep layer in one go
CArea & access
- Smaller area / footpath → 400mm plate
- Driveway / wider area → reversible 18"
- Tight runs / edges → reversible 18"
- Stairs or narrow door → ask first
DEnvironment
- Outdoor & ventilated → petrol plate
- Indoor / enclosed → ask first
- Hidden services → check first
- Slopes / unstable ground → ask first
💷 Hire cost factors
What affects compactor hire cost?
Daily and weekly rates, ex-VAT. Five things move the price.
Machine class
Forward 400mm plate sits at the entry of the range. The 18 inch reversible (25kN class) steps up — you’re paying for plate size, weight and reversible travel.
Hire duration
Daily is highest per day. Weekly is usually better value from three days+. Long projects can be quoted on request.
Pickup or delivery
Greenford UB6 collection keeps the cost cleanest. London delivery is available by booking — postcode-based pricing.
Site access
Kerbside drop-off is standard. Stairs, basements, tight gates or top-floor access may need extra arrangement — tell us at booking.
Area & project length
Bigger areas or longer paving runs may need the reversible 18 inch for productivity. Tell us the m² and we’ll suggest the cleanest fit.
Choose a product above or call 020 3375 4048 with the ground type, area size, layer depth, access and hire dates.
✅ Before booking
Twelve points to check
- What are you compacting?
- MOT Type 1, sand, gravel, clay, soil or trench backfill?
- Area size in m²?
- Layer depth and number of lifts?
- Granular or cohesive material?
- Indoors or outdoors?
- Access route — stairs, gates, lift?
- Any underground services?
- Ventilation suitable for petrol use?
- PPE — ear, eye, foot, glove?
- HAVS-style vibration breaks planned?
- Edge restraints and surface protection in place?
🛠 Where they work
Common use cases
Patio sub-base
MOT Type 1 base prep before slabs or porcelain — 400mm forward plate is a practical starting point.
Driveway & hardstanding
Heavier sub-base prep before paving or hardstanding — reversible 18" suits larger areas.
Block paving
Compaction of sand bed and final settling where suitable — use suitable surface protection where required.
Artificial grass base
Compacting the granular layer before laying the turf — 400mm plate covers most domestic jobs.
Gravel & hardcore
Levelling and consolidating sub-base layers before final surface — multiple passes per lift.
Small groundworks
Edge runs, paths and footings where stronger compaction is helpful — choose by area and ground type.
✨ Why Hireload
Why hire compactors from us
London delivery by booking
Kerbside delivery across London postcodes — postcode-based pricing, confirmed when you book.
Greenford UB6 collection
Collection from our Greenford UB6 base — we’ll confirm collection details when your booking is arranged.
Help choosing the right plate
Tell us the ground type and area — we’ll suggest forward 400mm or reversible 18".
Practical ground guidance
Honest advice on suitable ground types, layer depth and where to ask first.
📍 Delivery & collection
London delivery and Greenford collection
Greenford UB6 collection
Collection from our Greenford UB6 base — we’ll confirm collection details when your booking is arranged.
London delivery by booking
Kerbside delivery across most London postcodes and into nearby home counties — postcode-based pricing, confirmed when you book. Out-of-zone routes quoted on request.
Driver wait time
15 minutes free at drop-off and collection. After that the driver charges waiting time per quarter hour, in line with our standard policy.
❓ FAQs
Compactor hire — questions we hear every week
What compactor do I need for a patio?
For most domestic patio sub-base jobs, a 400mm forward plate compactor (Belle PCX 13/40 in our range) is a practical starting point. For larger driveways, deeper sub-base or tight runs, the 18 inch reversible plate compactor (25kN class) usually wins. Confirm the ground type, area and layer depth before booking.
Is a wacker plate the same as a plate compactor?
In day-to-day language on UK sites, “wacker plate” and “plate compactor” usually mean the same type of machine — a vibrating plate that compacts granular material. Both compactors in our range are petrol plate compactors / wacker plates.
Can I use a wacker plate for MOT Type 1?
MOT Type 1 is a granular sub-base material that a plate compactor is designed for, where suitable. Compact in thin layers (multiple lifts), make several passes per layer, and confirm site conditions before booking. We can guide you to forward 400mm or reversible 18" depending on the area.
Can I compact sand or block paving with a plate compactor?
Bedding sand and final settling for block paving can be done with a plate compactor where suitable. Use suitable surface protection where required, and check paving type before starting. Ask before booking if you’re unsure.
Can I use a plate compactor on clay soil?
Plate compactors are designed for granular material like Type 1, sand and gravel. Very wet or cohesive clay is not always ideal — call before booking and we’ll advise on the suitable approach. Specialist soil types may need different equipment.
Do I need a trench rammer?
Narrow trenches and confined backfill may need different compaction equipment from a flat plate. For trench backfill or confined groundworks, call 020 3375 4048 before booking and we’ll advise on the suitable approach.
Can a petrol compactor be used indoors?
Both compactors in our range are petrol-powered and intended for outdoor or well-ventilated work. Indoor or enclosed-area use creates exhaust and ventilation risks — please ask first. Do not use petrol equipment indoors unless ventilation and safety requirements are properly met.
How much does compactor hire cost?
Daily and weekly rates start from £8.40 / day for the 400mm forward plate and £13.99 / day for the 18 inch reversible plate (ex-VAT). Final price depends on hire length, delivery vs Greenford UB6 collection, and site access.
Can I collect from Greenford UB6?
Yes — Greenford UB6 collection is available by booking. We’ll confirm collection details when your booking is arranged. London delivery by booking is also available, postcode-based.
What should I check before hiring a compactor?
Ground type (granular vs cohesive), area size, layer depth, access route, hidden services, ventilation if indoor, PPE (ear, eye, foot, glove), and HAVS-style vibration breaks. Confirm the work is outdoors and the ground is suitable for plate compaction before booking.
🚧 Ready when you are
Need help choosing the right compactor?
Tell us what you’re compacting — MOT Type 1, sand, gravel, soil or trench backfill — plus the area size, layer depth, access and hire dates. We’ll help you choose a suitable wacker plate or plate compactor for the job.
Drone Survey & Mapping
Drone Inspections