A material compacting construction comprising a compacting means, a first drive for the compacting means, a feeding means, and a second drive for the feeding means. Control means are provided for varying the operation of the feeding means in accordance with the load applied to the drive for the compacting means. The control means includes means for sensing the load and a meter connected to the sensing means. When the meter records a limiting position, indicating that the load has increased or decreased to a limiting value, an electrical circuit associated with the meter is operated. This circuit in turn operates adjusting means for the drive of the feeding means whereby the rate of material fed to the compacting means is adjusted. This adjustment is calculated to maintain the energy level and product quality at desired values.