esshup yours sounds like the best plan.
No way the excavator could not compact with the back of his bucket as he goes? I can see problems getting things dry enough to run a tractor and sheepsfoot, not to mention various steep banks here and there that might end up being.
I've never ran an excavator, only a TLB, but I would think an experienced operator could do quite a bit tamping and mixing with the back of his bucket as he is clearing the muck out, if he is instructed to do so.
I suppose a lot would depend on the material he has to work with.
