Abstract: An improved drive mechanism for a reversible walk-behind soil compactor. The compactor includes a frame which carries a soil compacting plate and a drive mechanism, such as a gasoline engine is mounted on the frame and has a rotatable drive shaft. A pair of eccentrically weighted shafts are mounted for rotation on the frame and a belt drive connects each eccentric shaft with the drive shaft in a manner to rotate the eccentric shafts in opposite directions. Each belt drive is connected through a clutch to the drive shaft and the clutch is arranged such that each eccentric shaft is individually engaged with the drive shaft. Through manual operation of the clutch, the eccentric shafts are selectively rotated to thereby move the compactor in a forward or reverse direction over the soil to be compacted.

Abstract: A portable screed for smoothing and leveling an area of freshly poured concrete. The screed includes a cylindrical, horizontal smoothing roller secured to the screed plate for the screed, the roller being substantially coextensive with the screed plate. The roller is mounted immediately adjacent the screed so that the roller first encounters and smooths concrete before the screed plate passes over the concrete. The roller is adjustable to control its working of the concrete, and rotates about its axis in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the screed for proper smoothing of the concrete.