Amplitude setting detection for vibratory surface compactor

A method for operating a vibratory compaction machine provided with a chassis, at least one drum rotatable about an axis that faces in a Y-axial direction and mounted to the chassis to allow rotation of the drum over a work surface, and at least one vibration mechanism provided with a plurality of different amplitude settings and configured to generate vibrations that are transmitted as impacts directed in a Z-axial direction by the at least one drum to the work surface, the at least one vibration mechanism, and comprising:

• operating the vibration mechanism to generate acceleration forces in the drum in an X-axial direction, wherein the X-axial direction extends in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the Y-axial direction and the Z-axial direction;
• using a control system provided on the vibratory compaction machine to measure acceleration forces of the at least one drum in a direction that substantially corresponds to the X-axial direction, wherein the acceleration forces are generated by the vibration mechanism;
• and
• using the control system to determine which of the plurality of drum amplitude settings the vibration mechanism is operating at from the measured acceleration forces of the at least one drum in the direction that substantially corresponds to an X-axial direction.