Rammer Hire in Crowborough, East Sussex
Need rammer hire in Crowborough? Coppard supplies petrol trench rammers from our Crowborough depot for compacting clay, cohesive soils and backfill in trenches and confined areas. Call 01892 662 777 and tell us what you’re compacting and we’ll help confirm whether a rammer is the right machine.
A rammer is designed for the jobs a conventional plate compactor cannot handle effectively. Its narrow foot and high-impact jumping action make it particularly useful for trench backfill, confined spaces, work alongside foundations and cohesive soils such as clay. Coppard stocks the Wacker Neuson upright rammer at our Crowborough depot for short-term and weekly hire, with collection or delivery available subject to availability.
If you’re backfilling a trench or compacting around foundations, call 01892 662 777 and tell our Crowborough team about the material, working width and depth involved. We’ll help confirm the right compaction equipment before you hire.
Upright Rammer -- Wacker Neuson BS68-2
The Wacker Neuson BS68-2 is a petrol-powered jumping-jack rammer designed for trench backfill and cohesive-soil compaction. Its rapid vertical impact action drives material together through repeated high-energy blows, making it particularly effective where vibration alone is insufficient.
The narrow compaction foot allows the machine to work in trenches, alongside foundations and in other confined areas where a plate compactor cannot operate effectively. On Wealden clay and other cohesive soils, the impact action helps compact material through the layer rather than concentrating vibration mainly at the surface.
The machine weighs approximately 68kg and is available from our Crowborough depot for daily or weekly hire. Call 01892 662 777 to confirm availability and current rates.
When to Hire a Rammer Instead of a Plate Compactor
The choice between a rammer and a plate compactor depends on the soil type and the space available. Getting it wrong means inadequate compaction — settlement, voids and failed inspections.
The key difference is compaction mechanism. A rammer uses impact force — it hits the ground repeatedly with high energy. A plate uses vibration to consolidate granular particles. Clay does not respond to vibration in the same way. If you compact clay with a plate, you get surface compaction but the material below can remain loose. The rammer drives compaction deeper into cohesive material.
If you are not sure which machine your job needs, call the yard and describe the material you are compacting. We will advise the right spec.
For full specifications and pricing on our complete rammer range, browse the Coppard online catalogue.
Rammer Hire for Groundworks in Crowborough and East Sussex
Groundworks around Crowborough and the High Weald regularly involve Wealden clay, a cohesive and moisture-sensitive soil that can be difficult to compact effectively with a vibratory plate. For drainage, utility trenches and foundation backfill, a rammer provides concentrated impact force in the narrow working areas where larger compaction equipment cannot operate.
Backfill should generally be placed and compacted progressively rather than filling the entire excavation and attempting to compact it afterwards. The appropriate layer depth will depend on the material, machine and project specification, so the site requirements should always be checked before work begins.
The narrow foot and upright design also allow a rammer to work close to foundations, retaining walls and other structures while maintaining controlled compaction of the surrounding material.
From our Crowborough depot we regularly support projects in surrounding areas including Tunbridge Wells, Uckfield, Heathfield, Wadhurst and Forest Row, as well as the wider East Sussex area.
Call 01892 662 777 to discuss the soil, trench dimensions and site access before hiring.
Collecting and Using the Rammer
The Wacker Neuson rammer is compact enough to collect from our Crowborough depot in many vans and larger estate cars. At approximately 68kg, it still needs to be loaded, transported and unloaded safely, so tell the team what vehicle you are bringing when arranging collection. Delivery to site is also available.
When you collect the machine, our team will explain the starting procedure, operating controls and important safety points. A rammer produces significant impact and vibration, so suitable PPE should be worn and the surrounding working area kept clear.
For longer trench or groundworks projects, ask about the weekly hire rate rather than booking several separate daily hires.
Why Hire Your Rammer from Coppard
Coppard has supplied compaction equipment to builders, groundworkers and civil engineering contractors since 1972. Our Crowborough depot stocks rammers, plate compactors and rollers, allowing us to recommend the appropriate compaction method for the material and working area rather than simply supplying one type of machine.
Call 01892 662 777 and tell our Crowborough team what you’re compacting, the width of the working area and the approximate depth involved. If the project needs both a rammer for confined clay backfill and a plate compactor for larger granular areas, both can be supplied together.
For the full range of Plant & Machinery Hire available from our Crowborough depot, visit our Plant & Machinery Hire page.
Browse the full Rammer Hire catalogue for specifications, models and current availability.
Frequently Asked Questions – Rammer Hire in Crowborough
What is the difference between a rammer and a plate compactor?
A rammer uses a high-impact jumping action to compact cohesive soils like clay and silt. A plate compactor uses vibration to consolidate granular materials like sand, gravel and sub-base. For trench backfill and clay groundworks, you need a rammer. For open areas, driveways and paving sub-bases with granular fill, you need a plate. Many groundworks jobs need both.
Can I collect the rammer or do you deliver?
The rammer can be collected from our Crowborough yard. It weighs around 68kg and fits upright in a van or estate car. We can also deliver to sites across East Sussex and Kent — call for delivery availability and cost. Most customers collect as it is straightforward to transport.
When should I hire a rammer instead of a plate compactor?
A rammer is generally the better choice for compacting soil and backfill in narrow trenches, around foundations and in confined areas where a wider plate compactor cannot work effectively. Plate compactors are normally better suited to larger, flatter areas of granular material such as Type 1 sub-base. Tell Coppard’s Crowborough team what material you are compacting, the width of the working area and the depth of the backfill, and they can advise whether a rammer or plate compactor is the right machine for the job.
How deep does a rammer compact per layer?
For best results on clay and cohesive soils, compact in 150mm (6 inch) layers. Place 150mm of backfill material, ram it until the foot no longer sinks, then place the next 150mm. Trying to compact thicker layers in one pass results in surface compaction only — the material below stays loose. For granular backfill, 200mm layers are acceptable.
Do I need training to operate a rammer?
No formal licence or certification is required for a pedestrian rammer. The yard team will brief you on safe operation when you collect. Key points: wear steel toecap boots, keep the machine upright, keep others clear of the working area, and work in layers rather than trying to compact in one deep pass. Ear defenders are recommended for extended use.
Need Rammer Hire in Crowborough?
Call 01892 662 777 and speak directly to our Crowborough team. Same-day collection and fast delivery are available on many hire requirements, subject to availability, for projects across Crowborough and East Sussex.
