Product Overview
The Tomahawk Power TPC170H is a 6.5 HP Honda-powered reverse hydraulic plate compactor designed for asphalt, aggregate, cohesive soil, granular soil, sticky soil, gravel, sand, base, subbase, subgrade, trenchwork, road repair, hardscape, foundation, and backfill compaction projects. Built with a Honda GX200 engine, 7,000 lbs/ft² compaction force, 30 kN centrifugal force, and a 28" x 20" plate that expands to 28" x 24" with the included plate extensions, this heavy-duty reverse compactor is made for professional compaction jobs where efficiency and density matter. The reverse hydraulic design helps improve control in tight areas, trenches, repair zones, and larger compaction projects.
Key Features:
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6.5 HP Honda GX200 Engine: Air-cooled 4-stroke OHV Honda engine provides dependable power for heavy-duty compaction work.
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Reverse Hydraulic Plate Compactor: Forward and reverse operation helps improve maneuverability in trenches, confined areas, road repairs, and larger jobsites.
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7,000 lbs/ft² Compaction Force: Delivers heavy compaction force at 5,400 VPM for demanding cohesive soil, granular soil, asphalt, aggregate, and base preparation work.
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28" x 20" Plate Size: Wide plate coverage helps compact more area per pass on larger projects.
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Included Plate Extensions: Extension plates increase the plate size to 28"x 24" for added coverage when needed.
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30 kN Centrifugal Force: Provides powerful vibratory force for professional compaction applications.
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Compacts Up to 20 Inches: Tomahawk lists this model for compaction of cohesive and granular soils up to 20 inches.
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5–6 Inches Per Lift: Listed compaction depth per lift at 100% compaction is 5–6 inches.
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66 Ft/Min Travel Speed: Supports efficient movement across road repair, trenchwork, retaining wall, asphalt, and hardscape projects.
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Cast Iron Plate: Robust cast iron plate with curved, seamed edge base supports markless compaction on compatible surfaces.
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Self-Cleaning Open Base Plate: Helps minimize rock and dirt buildup during operation.
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Built for Field Density Work: Designed to help achieve 100% compaction ratings on field density tests and nuclear densometers when soil conditions and lift depths are correct.
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CARB & EPA Compliant: Listed by Tomahawk as CARB and EPA compliant.
Technical Specifications:
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Model: TPC170H
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Product Type: Honda Reverse Hydraulic Plate Compactor
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Brand: Tomahawk Power
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Selected Variant: New
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Engine: Honda GX200
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Power: 6.5 HP
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Engine Type: Air-cooled 4-stroke OHV Honda engine
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Oil Capacity: 0.63 qt
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Plate Material: Cast iron
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Plate Size: 28" x 20"
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Plate Size with Extensions: 28" x 24"
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Compaction Force: 7,000 lbs/ft² at 5,400 VPM
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Centrifugal Force: 30 kN
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Vibration Frequency: 90
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Travel Speed: 66 ft/min
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Compaction Capability: Cohesive and granular soils up to 20"
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Compaction Depth Per Lift at 100% Compaction: 5–6"
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Noise Level: 57 dB at 22 ft / 7 m
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Weight: 374 lb
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Included Accessories: Plate extensions
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Wheel Kit: Not currently listed as available for this model
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Compliance: CARB and EPA compliant
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Shipping Note: Oversized item; ships by freight truck
Package Includes:
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TPC170H Plate Compactor: Honda-powered reverse hydraulic plate compactor for asphalt, aggregate, cohesive soil, granular soil, and base compaction work.
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Plate Extensions: Included extension plate kit increases plate coverage from 28" x 20" to 28" x 24".
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Honda GX200 Engine: Included 6.5 HP Honda engine.
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Hydraulic Fluid: Tomahawk Q&A notes the unit comes with hydraulic fluid already included.
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Manuals & Guides: Follow Tomahawk’s available operation and maintenance instructions for setup, fuel, oil, hydraulic reverse control, plate extension installation, operation, and service.
Applications:
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Retaining Walls: Compacts base, subbase, and backfill layers for retaining wall construction.
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Footings & Foundation Projects: Helps prepare compacted base layers for slabs, footings, and foundation support work.
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Landscapes & Hardscapes: Useful for patios, walkways, driveways, garden paths, and hardscape base preparation.
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Asphalt Patchwork: Supports asphalt repair, road patching, driveway repair, and maintenance areas.
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Pipeline Applications: Helps compact trench backfill and utility work areas.
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Road Repair & Trenchwork: Reverse hydraulic control helps maneuver in road repair areas, trenches, sidewalks, and larger compacted surfaces.
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Backfill Projects: Useful for backfill around pools, parks, cemeteries, golf courses, and outdoor maintenance areas.
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Cohesive Soils: Suitable for compatible cohesive soils, including clay, clayey silt, sticky soils, and mixed soils.
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Granular Soils: Suitable for compatible granular soils, including gravel, sand, silt, base, subbase, subgrade, and subsoil.
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Large Compaction Jobs: Strong fit for professional contractors needing heavier compaction force and wider coverage than smaller forward plate compactors.
Operation & Use Notes:
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Reverse Hydraulic Control: Use forward and reverse control to maneuver in tight areas, trenches, repair zones, and larger jobsites. Keep bystanders clear while changing direction.
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Plate Extension Installation: Tomahawk recommends setting the extension plates at 136 ft-lb / 185 Nm and using Loctite if the extensions will remain installed.
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Base Preparation: Match compaction method, layer thickness, moisture content, and number of passes to the soil type and project requirements.
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Compaction Lift Depth: Tomahawk lists 5–6 inches per lift at 100% compaction; avoid overfilling layers beyond the machine’s effective compaction range.
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Soil Moisture: Soil should have the proper moisture content before compaction. Soil that is too dry or too wet may not compact correctly.
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Asphalt Use: Follow Tomahawk operating guidance and project requirements when compacting asphalt or asphalt patchwork.
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Paver Surface Note: This product page does not list a poly pad as included. Use appropriate surface-protection accessories if compacting over pavers, bricks, or decorative hardscape surfaces.
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Wheel Kit Note: Tomahawk Q&A notes this 6.5 HP reverse plate compactor does not currently come with an optional wheel kit.
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Fuel & Oil: Add the recommended oil and fuel before operation and follow Tomahawk and Honda engine instructions for startup, shutdown, storage, and maintenance.
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Hydraulic System: Tomahawk Q&A notes the hydraulic fluid is included. Check hydraulic system condition as part of routine inspection and maintenance.
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Hearing & Vibration Safety: Wear hearing protection, gloves, boots, eye protection, and follow safe operating practices for vibrating equipment.
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Hot Surface Safety: Keep hands, clothing, and debris away from the engine, muffler, belts, plate, and moving components during and after operation.
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Outdoor Use Only: Gas-powered compactors must be operated outdoors in a well-ventilated area away from doors, windows, vents, and occupied spaces.
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Carbon Monoxide Safety: Never operate a gas engine indoors, in a garage, basement, crawlspace, enclosed trailer, or partially enclosed area because of carbon monoxide danger.
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Transport Safety: At 374 lb, use proper equipment, ramps, a lift gate, forklift, or approved lifting method when moving, loading, and unloading.
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Freight Shipping: Tomahawk notes this is an oversized item that requires shipment on a freight truck. A business address may help reduce transit time.
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California Proposition 65: This product carries a California Proposition 65 warning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included with the TPC170H?
The TPC170H package includes the TPC170H plate compactor and plate extensions. Tomahawk Q&A also notes that the unit comes with hydraulic fluid already included.
What is the Tomahawk TPC170H used for?
The TPC170H is used for compacting asphalt, aggregate, cohesive soil, granular soil, sticky soils, gravel, sand, clay, mixed soils, base, subbase, subgrade, subsoil, backfill, retaining walls, footings, foundations, road repairs, and trenchwork.
What engine does the TPC170H use?
Tomahawk lists the TPC170H with a 6.5 HP Honda GX200 air-cooled 4-stroke OHV engine.
What makes the TPC170H a reverse hydraulic plate compactor?
The TPC170H uses reverse hydraulic control, allowing the operator to move the plate compactor forward and backward for improved maneuverability on demanding jobsites.
How much compaction force does the TPC170H provide?
Tomahawk lists the TPC170H with 7,000 lbs/ft² of compaction force at 5,400 VPM.
What size is the plate on the TPC170H?
The TPC170H has a 28 inch by 20 inch plate size. With the included plate extensions installed, the plate size increases to 28 inches by 24 inches.
How deep can the TPC170H compact?
Tomahawk lists the TPC170H for compaction of cohesive and granular soils up to 20 inches.
What is the compaction depth per lift?
Tomahawk lists 5–6 inches per lift at 100% compaction.
What is the travel speed?
Tomahawk lists the travel speed at 66 feet per minute.
Does the TPC170H include plate extensions?
Yes. Tomahawk lists plate extensions as included with the TPC170H package.
Does the TPC170H include a wheel kit?
No. Tomahawk Q&A notes that this 6.5 HP reverse plate compactor does not currently come with an optional wheel kit.
Does the TPC170H come with hydraulic fluid?
Yes. Tomahawk Q&A states that the unit comes with hydraulic fluid already included.
How much does the TPC170H weigh?
Tomahawk lists the TPC170H at 374 lb.
Can the TPC170H be used for asphalt?
Yes. Tomahawk lists asphalt patchwork and road repair as applications for this reverse hydraulic plate compactor.
How does the TPC170H ship?
Tomahawk notes this is an oversized item that requires shipment on a freight truck. Shipping to a business address may help reduce transit time.
Can I run this compactor indoors?
No. Gas-powered compactors must only be operated outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Never run a gas engine indoors, in a garage, basement, crawlspace, enclosed trailer, or partially enclosed area because of carbon monoxide danger.
Why We Like It:
The Tomahawk Power TPC170H is a heavy-duty step up for crews that need more compaction force, wider coverage, and reverse hydraulic control. The 6.5 HP Honda GX200 engine, 7,000 lbs/ft² compaction force, 30 kN centrifugal force, 28" x 20" plate, included plate extensions, 28" x 24" extended plate width, 66 ft/min travel speed, 20 inch compaction capability, and 374 lb build make it a strong choice for contractors, public works crews, rental fleets, and hardscape professionals handling large base prep, asphalt patchwork, road repair, retaining walls, trenchwork, foundations, and backfill compaction.
