SIMAQ School · 5 min
How to read a spec sheet
On a compaction spec sheet, look at five figures first: centrifugal force (kN), frequency (Hz or VPM), operating weight, drum or plate width, and engine. For example, the SQRDWB L34 roller delivers 17 kN at 65 Hz with a 680 mm drum and a Honda GX390 engine: more kN compacts deeper, and more width covers more metres per hour.
Every spec tells a story. Understand them and you compare machines on merit, not price.
Spec sheet (example)
Hover each term →
Engine
Honda GX390 · 13 HP
Engine brand and power. Honda, Yanmar or Kubota = parts at any shop and higher resale.
FAQ
What people ask most
What is centrifugal force on a compactor?
It's the compaction force the drum or plate delivers, in kN. More kN compacts deeper and faster: the SQ15 PRO plate delivers 13 kN and the SQRD L51 roller, 22 kN.
What do VPM and Hz mean on a spec sheet?
They're frequency: vibrations per minute (VPM) or per second (Hz). High frequency works best on granular soil and asphalt; the SQ15 PRO runs at 5,500 VPM and the SQRDWB L34 roller at 65 Hz.
Which spec tells me how much a machine gets done?
Drum or plate width: it tells you how much you compact per pass, and wider = more metres per hour. But the machine has to fit your job: in a trench, the width that fits wins, not the biggest.
Can I plan with the speed on the spec sheet?
Not directly: the published speed is the maximum, for travelling, and compacting is slower. Planning with it inflates output two or threefold.
Why does the engine brand matter?
A Honda, Yanmar or Kubota engine has parts at any shop and better resale. On SIMAQ spec pages you'll see, for example, a Honda GX160 on the SQ15 PRO plate and a Yanmar on the SQRD L71 roller.
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