The final touches are equally as crucial as the initial pour in creating a faultless and long-lasting concrete floor. In this process, a concrete finishing machine is revolutionary because it guarantees both quality and beauty. This is a necessary tool for producing a surface that is even and smooth and will look fantastic over time.
The purpose of these machines is to increase productivity and speed in the floor grouting process. They assist in high-quality concrete surface leveling and polishing by utilizing cutting-edge technology. This translates to fewer flaws and an improved finish overall, which can have a big impact on both residential and commercial spaces.
The functioning of concrete finishing machines, their advantages, and the reasons owning one can improve the quality of your concrete flooring projects are all covered in the sections that follow. Having a thorough understanding of these factors will enable you to choose wisely and get the best results for your floors.
Feature | Description |
Purpose | A concrete finishing machine ensures an even and smooth surface for floor grouting, enhancing both appearance and durability. |
Types | Different types include power trowels and ride-on machines, each suited to various project sizes and requirements. |
Benefits | Improves surface finish, reduces labor, and speeds up the grouting process, resulting in a more consistent and aesthetically pleasing floor. |
Maintenance | Regular cleaning and checking of blades or trowels are essential to maintain the machine’s performance and prolong its lifespan. |
- Design and purpose of equipment
- Types and features of units
- Choosing a trowel
- Operating principle of the equipment
- Overview of finishing and smoothing machines
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Design and purpose of equipment
Concrete that has been subjected to vibration equipment and initial setting may experience sagging and unevenness, necessitating leveling. Special concrete finishing machines with a fairly simple design are used for this purpose.
The apparatus includes:
- Pos. 1 — handle for quickly adjusting the angle of the blades;
- Pos. 2 – a lever used to control the throttle;
- Pos. 3 — control handles;
- Pos. 4 — motor;
- Pos. 5 – clutch lever;
- Pos. 5A — clamp for clutch;
- Pos. 6 — protective rotating ring;
- Pos. 7 — traverse;
- Pos. 8 — working blades;
- Pos. 9 — a casing to protect the drive belt;
- Pos. 10 — lock for the handle;
- Pos. eleven — bracket for transportation;
- Pos. 12 – a handle used to lift the device.
The device design is chosen based on the specifications of the location where the work is being done.
- In hard -to -reach places of closed rooms, most often, single -rope devices with small diameter circles operating from an electric network are used;
- In industrial premises and in open areas, units that have internal combustion engines or self -propelled two -rope devices with a place to accommodate the operator are used. Their performance allows you to easily replace the working brigade;
- Grouting machines called helicopter, with various characteristics and performance, are used on objects of different areas: from small -sized apartments to very large terminals. At the same time, the only task is to be solved – to form absolutely even, perfectly smooth floors without dust in a short period of time, using the machine sealing of the concrete surface.
Types and features of units
The type of troweling equipment is determined by the number of blades. Both single- and double-rotor units are possible.
The table displays their features and photos:
"Helicopters" with a single rotor are:
- Mobility;
- Versatility;
- Compactness;
- Low weight.
Choosing a trowel
- Frequency of use;
- Size of the area;
- Accessibility;
- No obstacles.
The "helicopter" type of concrete finishing machines is characterized by their straightforward design.
- Frame;
- Drive, which can be: gasoline, electric, diesel. The quality of troweling depends on its type;
Advice: Use electric engines in enclosed spaces and gasoline-powered engines only in open areas.
- Gearbox;
- Working blades, their diameter ranges from 300 to 1200 mm;
- Operator protection;
- Control panel.
Folding handles are typically fitted to single-rotor machines to facilitate transportation.
When selecting a device, bear the following in mind:
- For small areas and hard-to-reach areas, it is necessary to purchase single-rotor units with a working blade diameter of 300 – 610 mm;
- Double-rotor concrete finishing machines can easily handle large areas in a short period of time;
- The working width of the treated surface is determined by the diameter of the blades used, which determine the performance of the troweling unit. For large areas, nozzles with a diameter of up to 1200 mm are used;
- The equipment must have adjustable blade rotation speed. The intensity of the impact of the working tool on the surface depends on this. Rough and fine finishing of a concrete floor can be done with one machine. In this case, the rotation speed of its blades should be up to 200 rpm.
Operating principle of the equipment
The following tools are used to trowel concrete surfaces:
- Rotary disc troweling units with gasoline or electric drive;
- Rotary blade machines, called "helicopters";
- Manual or automated devices for distributing hardening mixtures over the surface being treated;
- Edging units. They are used to process hard-to-reach areas near walls, columns, and finish concrete porches.
Concrete troweling is required to prevent floor delamination during operation caused by the "milk" that forms on the surface following vibration-mechanical treatment. When using a troweling machine to finish concrete, the machine’s grinding discs or blades are applied to the concrete’s body on the upper layers of the screed at a high speed and vertical pressure.
Changes in the angle of the blades affect how effective surface troweling is. The angle of inclination is increased for rough troweling to avoid cutting into the concrete, and the blades are positioned horizontally for final smoothing.
Advice: Concrete that is poured close to columns, walls, and door and window openings will quickly harden. From here, you should begin completing the floor. An edge machine is used for smoothing, enabling the apparatus to reach even the most difficult-to-reach areas.
Two stages of prompt floor processing are outlined in the instructions:
- Rough grouting. It is carried out on concrete in the period from 4 to 20 hours after its pouring. In this case, the imprint of a person"s footprint in concrete is 2-3 mm deep. Grouting with topping or an additional means for strengthening concrete is carried out in 2 stages: 2/3 of the mass of the composition is rubbed in, and then after some time the rest of the composition. These passes are performed perpendicular to each other.
- Finishing grouting. It should be started after 10-15 hours, after the end of the rough.
Advice: You should place your hand on the surface to test if the concrete coating is ready for finishing; it should stay clean.
You can visualize the entire concrete surface finishing process by watching the video included in this article.
When grouting floors, using a concrete finishing machine guarantees a superior finish and improves the coating’s overall appearance. By evenly spreading and leveling the grout, these machines lessen imperfections and give the floor a polished, professional appearance, all of which contribute to the creation of a smooth, even surface. Investing in this equipment will result in a more attractive, long-lasting finish that can withstand wear and tear for both residential and commercial projects.
Overview of finishing and smoothing machines
Advice: Read customer reviews and equipment specs before investing in a concrete finishing machine.
The table below lists a few unit models along with their specs:
Your concrete surfaces will look better and have a superior finish if you grout floors with a concrete finishing machine. The process is faster and more efficient with these machines’ precision and efficiency compared to manual methods.
By making the appropriate equipment purchases, you can extend the life of your concrete floors in addition to getting a smooth, even finish. Grout is evenly distributed, which lowers the possibility of flaws and guarantees a polished appearance.
In conclusion, anyone hoping to accomplish excellent floor grouting results will find that a concrete finishing machine is a useful tool. Both professionals and do-it-yourselfers will find it to be a wise choice due to its advantages in quality and appearance.