Concrete is extremely useful for development. It helps us create durable structures like buildings, roads, and even sidewalks. However, manufacturing concrete is usually very labor intensive. Fortunately, there are special machines designed to ease this same task. Such machines are known as concrete equipment. In this article, Concrete Equipment: Types, Uses, and Buying Tips. We will learn what each piece of machinery is responsible for, and we will also learn some tips for purchasing concrete equipment.
Concrete Mixers – Blending It All Together
First we need a machine to mix all the ingredients that make concrete. Sand, pebbles, cement powder and water get blended together inside a concrete mixer. It spins the mixture around until everything is fully combined.
Some concrete mixers are small enough to roll around job sites by hand. Bigger ones can mix entire truckloads of concrete. The spinning drum or paddles inside mix it thoroughly so it comes out ready to pour.
Concrete mixers are very useful on big jobs with lots of concrete pouring. They save time and effort instead of mixing by hand.
Concrete Pumps – Pushing Concrete to the Right Spot
Once the concrete is mixed, it needs to be poured where it will be used. Sometimes that spot is up high on big projects like building tall apartments. Concrete pumps make that job much easier.
Concrete pumps use powerful pumping systems to push concrete through long hoses. They can pump it high up scaffolding and skyscraper frames. The hoses reach places that would be impossible to pour from a wheelbarrow or concrete mixer.
Using a concrete pump lets you pour concrete exactly where you need it, even high off the ground. This equipment is a must for big tall buildings and bridges.
Concrete Pavers – Spreading Concrete Flat and Smooth
After concrete is poured, it needs to be spread out evenly along the ground. Concrete pavers are the perfect machine for this job. They help concrete become nice and level as it dries.
Concrete pavers look like big metal rakes or rollers. They smooth wet concrete flat so it dries into an even surface. They press out air bubbles too. Flat surfaces make nice strong foundations and floors.
Pavers on equipment like bulldozers can quickly pave wide areas like roads and runways. Smaller hand-pushed ones are good for sidewalks, garages, and patios.
Concrete Saws – Cutting Concrete Into Right Shapes
Sometimes, after pouring cement, users will want to cut concrete into molds. This is when a concrete saw is needed. They are able to cut through solid cement and help users shape concrete into molds and other desired designs.
Concrete saws have diamond blades fitted to them for more precise cutting of cement. Some saws are mounted onto large wheeled machines that drive across the concrete. Handheld saws are also available and are able to cut cement in those tight spaces.
These saws along with other types make concrete trimming a lot easier after it has been poured. Saws also help in forming expansion joints and other types of cuts that aid in prolonging the durability of the concrete and preventing cracking or crumbling.
Concrete leveling need with a Rake
Concrete pour can be challenging to smooth out, but sieves help make it easier. They help in easily making a surface flat. It is similar to oversized rakes which’s primary job is to spread and organize concrete that is still in a wet state.
Sieves are dragged by workers over freshly poured concrete to effortlessly get it in level form. The wooden sieves help skim over the concrete surface and need support on wires or rails for better grounds. Then the concrete is able to dry or get final touches as needed.
Sieves can aid in lowering the problem of roughened surfaces. They significantly help in constructing sidewalks, flat floors, ramps and foundations. A perfect flat base can be achieved in a short duration of time.
Trowels – Smoothing The Surface for the Final Touch of Excellence
A trowel is a flat hand tool that looks like a spoon. Once the asphalt is leveled, circular hand motions with the trowel elicits a fine polish from the concrete surface in question.
Troweling is most likely the last step before allowing the concrete slab to set. It makes the top surface of a slab smooth and adorned with softness pebbles and cement which gets pressed into the concrete to result in an astonishing velvety grey surface of concrete.
Using power tools, trowels are gaining favor as it happens to make the polishing of big spans of concrete surface quicker. These versatile devices enhance the efficiency of smoothing a layer of asphalt concrete.
Buying Your Own Concrete Equipment
If you handle lots of concrete work, you might want to buy your own equipment. Here are some helpful tips for choosing good machines:
- Make sure equipment is sized right for your jobs. Bigger is not always better and can be hard to operate.
- Select pro-quality machines from leading brands that are built to last. Avoid flimsy bargain equipment.
- Compare features between models to get the right tools and power you need.
- Look for modern machines with the latest features that make jobs easier.
- Choose equipment with good safety features to avoid accidents and injuries.
- Read reviews from other buyers to select equipment people are happiest with.
- Research and ask sellers which machines are easiest to maintain and operate.
Conclusion
As you can see, special machines make working with concrete much easier. Mixers, pumps, pavers, saws and more get big and small jobs done faster. Good equipment can save a lot of work and make projects turn out better.
Now you know the basic types of concrete equipment and what each one does. You also have tips for picking out high quality machines that do the job right.
With the right concrete tools, you can take on all kinds of building projects. The proper equipment makes concrete projects smooth and successful.