power trowel
{{Short description|Piece of light construction equipment}}
File:Boren Ride-on Power Trowel.webm
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.{{cite book|title=FCS Construction Materials L2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=s6C_PziYi-gC&pg=PA284|year=2009|publisher=Pearson South Africa|isbn=978-1-77025-609-5|pages=284–}}
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 {{cvt|6|ft|order=flip}} machines weighing {{cvt|600-700|lb|order=flip|round=10}}, up to {{cvt|12|ft|order=flip}} machines weighing over {{cvt|2000|lb|order=flip|round=10}}. Power ranges from small {{cvt|13|hp|kW|order=flip|0}} single cylinder engines, all the way up to {{cvt|100|hp|kW|order=flip|round=10}} 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.{{cite book|author1=M. Anson|author2=J.M. Ko|author3=E.S.S. Lam|title=Advances in Building Technology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RiIqU5ttLhcC&pg=PA682|date=14 November 2002|publisher=Elsevier|isbn=978-0-08-052663-8|pages=682–}}
- Walk-behind power trowels are used by an operator walking behind the machine.{{cite book|author=Kevin Wright Carney|title=Securing the Outdoor Construction Site: Strategy, Prevention, and Mitigation|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bt-oBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA144|date=21 September 2015|publisher=Elsevier Science|isbn=978-0-12-802602-1|pages=144–}}{{cite book|author=David A. Madsen|title=Modern Residential Construction Practices|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tEgrDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA168|date=6 July 2017|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=978-1-351-97840-8|pages=168–}}
A power trowel performs the tasks of several hand tools, hand trowel, hand float, darby and concrete float.{{cite book|author=American Concrete Institute|title=Specifications for Structural Concrete, ACI 301-05, with Selected ACI References: Field Reference Manual|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bGwcUvwq7k8C&pg=PA328|year=2005|publisher=American Concrete Institute|isbn=978-0-87031-194-9|pages=328–}}
See also
=Similar vehicles=
References
{{reflist}}