Bobcat PCF 34 Plate Compactor/Vibratory Plate Compactor for Mini Exc.

Hi All!
I'm looking at buying a plate compactor for my mini excavator. I am hoping that it will be able to work where I am currently using a jumping jack compactor. My thinking is that it will work better, and be faster, than a walk behind jumping jack. I am currently running an '06 Bobcat 435 ZHS. My local dealer is wants to sell me a Bobcat brand PCF 34. He does not stock them (none of my local dealers stocks plate compactor attachments) so I am reaching out to the HEF community for feedback on this unit or any others. If I recall CD was using these units on the same machine too. One nice thing about buying from Bobcat is that they are offering 0% for 36 months on attachments.
The dealer also told me that the 435 will require the addition of a dedicated case drain line (direct return to tank) in order to use this attachment. He wants $600 for the line and related hardware (installed). Obviously not the end of the world but it does add 13% to the cost. So much for Bobcat's claim to be attachment ready standard.
Regardless, I would like to hear opinions about how it compares to a jumping jack, how durable this unit is, expected service life, and how it compares to other brands of vibratory plate compactors.
I'm posting in the attachment category, and here, in order to get the most possible results.

Thanks,
JC

Howdy, We use ours all the time. I don't know about the case drain line though. We don't have one. Only thing I have ever done to it is change out the rubber bushings, maybe twice. I bought a second one at RB'S and welded the Bobcat ears on it and it has also worked fine. I don't know how much a new one is, I think mine was around 5k or so. Your are still going to need your JJ but just one pass on the edges and around tight spots. Changing them on and off is a bit of a pain because the pressure always locks up the couplers, once you get used to that it's a breeze. Very handy attachment.









Regards, CD

Thanks for the feedback. Is the one that you bought at the RB auction a Bobcat brand as well?

Colorado Digger said:

Changing them on and off is a bit of a pain because the pressure always locks up the couplers, once you get used to that it's a breeze. Very handy attachment.

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I had this problem with my 435 too....for years actually. I used to have to take a wrench and loosen the fittings just to create a leak so as to relieve the pressure. Thus is not the way that it should work. Mine had a part that was replaced and now it works great. No problem switching between hammer and thumb. I can get more details if you think it might be helpful to you.
DD

I own one, I have a bobcat 325, only downfall is that i can only get 91% compaction with it.

773 said:

I own one, I have a bobcat 325, only downfall is that i can only get 91% compaction with it.

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I bought the unit about a month ago and have used it several times. I must say that I think it works great. I haven't had the compaction tested yet but it seems as though it puts out a lot of energy and compacts well. It will smoke a man with a jumping jack and I feel as though I could get higher than 91%, even on a modified proctor.