Power trowel

Power trowel

A power trowel (also known as a "power float" and "troweling machine") is a piece of light construction equipment used by construction companies and contractors to apply a smooth finish to concrete slabs. ^[1]

Types

Power trowels differ in the way they are controlled:

• Ride-on power trowels have two spider/rotor assemblies and are controlled by an operator sitting on a seat upon the machine, controlling the power trowel movement with two joystick/levers (these can be either mechanical or electronic/hydraulic). Blade pitch is controlled either by manual turn handles, (usually both spiders are linked together) or by electric motors and switches. Ride on power trowels range in size from 1.8 m (6 ft) machines weighing 270–320 kg (600–700 lb), up to 3.7 m (12 ft) machines weighing over 910 kg (2,000 lb). Power ranges from small 10 kW (13 hp) single cylinder engines, all the way up to 70 kW (100 hp) multi fuel V8 engines. Drive systems come in two basic variations direct mechanical drive (typically using a CVT style clutch) and hydrostatic drive. Additionally, they are available in overlapping and non-overlapping configurations, the latter allowing the use of float pans. ^[2]
• Walk-behind power trowels are used by an operator walking behind the machine. ^{[3] [4]}

A power trowel performs the tasks of several hand tools, hand trowel, hand float, darby and concrete float. ^[5]

See also

• Concrete pump
• Screed
• Trowel

Similar vehicles

• Personal hovercraft

References

1. FCS Construction Materials L2. Pearson South Africa. 2009. pp. 284–. ISBN   978-1-77025-609-5.
2. M. Anson; J.M. Ko; E.S.S. Lam (14 November 2002). Advances in Building Technology. Elsevier. pp. 682–. ISBN   978-0-08-052663-8.
3. Kevin Wright Carney (21 September 2015). Securing the Outdoor Construction Site: Strategy, Prevention, and Mitigation. Elsevier Science. pp. 144–. ISBN   978-0-12-802602-1.
4. David A. Madsen (6 July 2017). Modern Residential Construction Practices. Taylor & Francis. pp. 168–. ISBN   978-1-351-97840-8.
5. American Concrete Institute (2005). Specifications for Structural Concrete, ACI 301-05, with Selected ACI References: Field Reference Manual. American Concrete Institute. pp. 328–. ISBN   978-0-87031-194-9.