Texas Pneumatic Backfill Tampers
The TX6TN compacts soil around footings, pipes and trenches at 800 blows per minute on 38.5 CFM, with a 6 in malleable iron butt. Made in USA.
The short version
A backfill tamper compacts material in places a plate compactor cannot reach: around a pipe, against a footing, in the bottom of a narrow trench. The Texas Pneumatic TX6TN runs 800 blows per minute on 38.5 CFM with a 6 in malleable iron butt, and it is made in the USA. Settlement over a poorly compacted trench costs more to fix later than the tool costs now. Comparing brands? See the all-brands backfill tampers category and the tampers and rammers buyer’s guide. Digging the trench: clay and trench diggers. Foundry compaction instead: bench and sand rammers.
TX6TN backfill tamper
Texas Pneumatic TX6TN Backfill Tamper
One configuration, done properly: 6 in malleable iron butt, 800 blows per minute, 38.5 CFM at 90 psi. It compacts soil around footings and in trenches where a plate compactor cannot physically fit.
800 BPM · 38.5 CFM at 90 psi · 6 in malleable iron butt
The rest of the trench job
Backfill tamper questions, answered
What is a backfill tamper?
A pneumatic hammer with a flat butt instead of a chisel, used to compact soil in confined places. Around a pipe, against a footing wall, in the bottom of a narrow trench — all places where a plate compactor or a jumping jack cannot physically reach. Compaction in those spots is what stops the surface settling over the trench a year later.
How much air does the TX6TN need?
38.5 CFM at 90 psi. That is modest for a percussion tool and most jobsite compressors will run one comfortably alongside other work.
Backfill tamper or plate compactor?
Different jobs. A plate compactor covers open area fast and is what you want on a wide backfill or a subgrade. A backfill tamper reaches into places the plate cannot — and on a utility trench you generally need both. The tampers and rammers buyer’s guide works through the choice.
Is this the same as a sand rammer?
No. A sand rammer is a foundry tool for packing molding sand around a pattern — smaller, lighter, with a rubber butt. A backfill tamper is a construction tool for compacting soil. They look related and they are built on similar principles, but do not substitute one for the other.
What butt sizes are available?
The TX6TN comes with a 6 in malleable iron butt. If your application needs a different butt, call 1-888-883-5144 — the factory builds other configurations and we quote them.
How fast does it ship?
Stocked tampers ship the same day on orders placed by 4 PM Eastern, with free UPS Ground on most items.
Compacting a trench?
Tell us the trench profile and what compaction spec you are working to. We will tell you whether the tamper alone will do it.