Abstract: A lightweight, easy to assemble, and compact exciter assembly for a compaction device such as a drum assembly of a vibratory trench roller or the like includes a fixed weight and one or more free swinging weights mounted on an exciter shaft, without using any mounting hardware, so as to hold the free swinging weights axially in position while permitting them to swing between first and second angular positions on the exciter shaft. Preferably, the fixed weight is mounted on a central portion of the exciter shaft, and two free swinging weights are mounted adjacent the ends of the fixed weight so as to be restrained from substantial sliding movement along the exciter shaft solely by the fixed weight and other operative components of the exciter assembly such as bearings and/or gears or other torque transfer elements.

Abstract: A method of assembling an exciter assembly for a compaction machine includes mounting a torque transfer element and a bearing on an exciter shaft. A fixed eccentric weight is mounted on the exciter shaft. First and second free swinging eccentric weights are mounted on the exciter shaft adjacent respective ends of the fixed eccentric weight so as to be rotatable a limited amount relative to the exciter shaft. The first and second free swinging eccentric weights are restrained from substantial axial movement along the exciter shaft solely by being sandwiched the first and second free swinging eccentric weights between the respective ends of the fixed eccentric weight and operative components of the exciter assembly. All of the mounting steps are performed without the use of any mounting hardware.