Skip to main content

Silent treatment for users of Wacker Neuson’s AS50e rammer

Wacker Neuson’s newest AS50e rammer is a back-to-the-future move for the German company that is celebrating 60 years in the North American market at this year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas. Back in 1848, the original rammers were made out of old wagon wheels. They had zero emissions and were totally silent to use, except maybe for the sounds of the operator who manually pounded down the dirt.
March 9, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
The AS50e gets back to the silent basics

1651 Wacker Neuson’s newest AS50e rammer is a back-to-the-future move for the German company that is celebrating 60 years in the North American market at this year’s CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas.

Back in 1848, the original rammers were made out of old wagon wheels. They had zero emissions and were totally silent to use, except maybe for the sounds of the operator who manually pounded down the dirt.

By 1957, Wacker Neuson had launched it gasoline-oil mix two-stroke rammer which the company readily acknowledges was guaranteed to wake up anybody within 100m. Clean it was not, having a gasoline-to-oil mix of 16:1 – 1 gallon of gasoline to 8 ounces of oil. That’s nearly 4 litres of gasoline to 250ml of oil.

Now to today, and the battery-powered AS50e rammer is nearly silent, making it useful near hospitals and in other noise-restricted urban areas. Like the original 1948 model, the newest battery-powered AS50e has zero emissions. And a baby could happily sleep within a few metres.

Wacker Neuson has taken the best of the performance characteristics of the rammer, percussion system and ramming shoe and adapt it to the battery operated rammer, allowing users to experience similar compaction results to those of engine powered units but with zero emissions.

The AS50e has a quick push button start and is easy to guide along walls. The guide handle is specifically designed for the rammer and results in low hand-arm vibration (HAV) for the operator. The AS50e weighs 70kg and hits at a percussion rate of 680 blows per min. The long-life battery is separate from the rammer and can replaced in a few quick steps without any additional tools.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Dowel bar drilling selection poses challenges
    January 11, 2013
    Pneumatic concrete dowel drills have one purpose – to drill holes. While their intended use is easy to recognize, operation of this equipment isn’t quite so simple. In fact, it’s a bit of a science. That’s not to say they’re difficult to operate. But there are certain best practices and processes to keep in mind for proper drill operation, whether it’s an on-grade, slab-rider or equipment-mounted model. Operators who adopt these guidelines and implement them on every job are rewarded with better performance
  • Companies partner to produce mini excavators
    May 14, 2012
    Caterpillar and Wacker Neuson of Munich, Germany have signed an alliance agreement for the design, manufacture, sale and support of Caterpillar mini hydraulic excavators in the under 3tonne category. The alliance agreement calls for Wacker Neuson to leverage its manufacturing and product development capability to produce the Caterpillar mini hydraulic excavators at its production plant in Linz, Austria. Caterpillar currently offers three models in this size range, and the machines will be produced to Cate
  • Concrete paving technology offers long term roadway construction
    July 18, 2012
    Concrete slipforming technology offers long term roadway and barrier construction with new technology now available - Mike Woof reports With road construction investment being seen around the world, concrete slipformer manufacturers are seeing strong export sales at present. New models are coming to market also with manufacturers continuing to broaden ranges by offering additional features and capabilities. US concrete paving specialist GOMACO is benefiting from extensive worldwide sales, with its long term
  • Mobile Barriers develops crane-and-bucket for Mobile Barrier MBT-1
    November 7, 2017
    Mobile BarrierMobile Barriers has developed a crane with a hook-and-bucket setup for the company’s Mobile Barrier MBT-1. The crane-and-bucket combination is positioned on its own 3m removeable wall section and provides a 9.15m reach and a capacity of 3900kg at base and 680kg at 9.15m. The unit can be operated from the ground or bucket via wireless controls. The bucket can be rotated out of the way or removed when not in use. Physical Stop points ensure that the crane and bucket do not encroach on live lanes