What is a curb machine: types, price for ready-made machines and whether it is possible to make it yourself?

Urban infrastructure would not be complete without curbs, which mark the boundaries of sidewalks, roads, and landscaping. Curb machines are specialized pieces of equipment used for efficient curb installation. By streamlining the procedure, these devices guarantee accurate and reliable curb placement. However, what is a curb machine exactly, and how does it operate?

A curb machine is a tool used specifically to mold concrete into continuous curbs. It is also called a curb making machine or a curb extruder. To produce the required curb shape and dimensions, concrete is extruded through a mold. Curb machines come in a variety of forms, from smaller walk-behind models ideal for home renovations to larger ride-on models utilized in public spaces like businesses and municipalities.

Curb machine prices vary according to features, capacity, and size. The price range for smaller walk-behind models intended for light-duty tasks is from a few thousand to about ten thousand dollars. Depending on their specifications, larger ride-on machines that are more powerful and able to perform large-scale curb laying tasks can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $50,000 or more.

When people ask themselves if they can construct a curb machine on their own, the majority of the time, the answer is no, they can’t. For most individuals or small workshops, designing a curb machine is a challenging project due to the complexity and precision involved, particularly when creating a machine that can withstand the demands of professional construction. Machines that are sold commercially are built with precise features and tolerances that guarantee their dependability, longevity, and safety while in use.

In conclusion, curb machines are expensive, but their effectiveness and reliability frequently make up for the price. Whether for large municipal developments or small-scale landscaping projects, investing in a high-quality curb machine can greatly expedite construction processes and improve the general standard of urban infrastructure.

What is the unit?

The curb machine is a semi-automated tool used to create concrete curb stones in a range of technical specs and configurations.

Semi-dry vibration pressing is used in the production process, and the semi-finished product is then extruded via a screw feeder. You can consistently increase production speed and lower the percentage of defects with this machine.

What is it used for?

The curb machine is a piece of semi-professional gear. It is either bought or rented by the following production companies:

• Production of curb stones for the implementation of a landscape design project.
• Production of curbs by the contractor"s own efforts, when fulfilling a large order for landscaping.
• Organization of a production site during the construction of highways, provided that the nearest point of sale of finished products is located at a distance from the installation site, which entails increased costs for the delivery of products.
• Setting up auxiliary production within a large enterprise for the production of various building materials.
• Organization of own mini-production for the sale of concrete and reinforced concrete products for commercial purposes.

What types of curbs can be made?

A curb machine is essential machinery for producing the following kinds of curbs that adhere to GOST specifications:

• Road curbs of the most popular brands BR 100.30.15, BR 100.30.18, necessary for the device of a flanging between the roadway and the pedestrian sidewalk.
• Mainline large-size products necessary for the formation of curbs on dangerous sections of federal highways.
• Garden decorative curbs made of gray or mass-colored concrete for fencing walkways, improvement areas, beds, flower beds or small architectural forms.
• Manufacture of trapezoidal curbs with a widened heel, necessary for the construction of landscape steps, cascades and other methods of organizing relief.
• Production of reinforced concrete side stones with internal reinforcement from a steel frame.

These types of machines enable us to lower production costs and yield profits when used continuously for at least one shift per day.

Types of installations

The following categories include the various varieties of semi-automated curb installations that are available on the market.

Mobile zone injection device

Molds, dies, and punches collaborate to form finished products from low-moisture raw materials in a small installation intended for the production of cut-length bead stones.

It is designed to produce paving stones and paving slabs on site, close to the installation site, as well as road or garden borders, depending on the arrangement and quantity of molds.

Benefits

1. compact dimensions, the possibility of transportation from one site to another;
2. software control of the dosage of ingredients for concrete mix.

Drawbacks:

• low productivity and speed of manufacturing finished products;
• not suitable for serial production.

Which materials are appropriate for:

1. manufacturing of garden;
2. road;
3. highway curbs according to GOST.

Extrusion type for linear structures

Consists of a screw distributor, molds, and a mixing bin that are used to extrude molded products with a consistent cross-section.

Uses:

• installation of continuous straight or flexible curbs in park areas and on household plots;
• production of individual products obtained by cutting a continuous tape.

Benefits

1. possibility of molding products directly at the installation site;
2. easy reinforcement along the entire length, finished individual products can be cut to any length.

Drawbacks:

• semi-dry vibration pressing technology increases the hygroscopicity of the product;
• increases porosity and reduces frost resistance.

Stationary machine on a rail

It is a screw concrete distributor that is placed in the workshop and moves in a predetermined path to form curbs for businesses.

Large quantities of road, garden, and highway curbs are produced using it and sold to final customers via a network of dealers.

Benefits

1. high production speed;
2. minimum percentage of defects;
3. electronic dosing of raw materials.

Drawbacks:

• requires a lot of space in the workshop;
• large dead weight, the need to build rail structures on a separate foundation;
• high retail cost of the machine.

It is utilized to create heavy-duty and lightweight concrete into serial products in any configuration.

Equipment for semi-dry vibration pressing in factory conditions

Style:

1. installed on a separate foundation;
2. consist of replaceable molds and punches;
3. form products using conventional or vacuum vibration pressing, without the need to use formwork.

Uses:

• production of individual products for sale to consumers;
• production of building and road materials from concrete.

Benefits

1. reliable design;
2. ability to draw up an accurate plan-schedule;
3. high productivity, excellent quality;
4. ability to control quality at each stage of production.

Drawbacks:

• large weight;
• need for periodic maintenance;
• requires retooling when manufacturing different types of products;
• molds are consumables and are subject to physical wear.

Which materials are appropriate?

1. curbstones for road;
2. highway construction;
3. land improvement of large areas.

Making a machine with your own hands

Given that the curb machine is a semi-professional piece of equipment, not every customer can afford to buy or rent such a piece of expensive equipment. Anyone can use their hands to create a manual analogue of the machine in these circumstances.

What you will need?

Building a curb machine by hand is a difficult process that needs forethought in project development and a specific set of components and mechanisms:

• A two-wheeled wheelbarrow or a portable tractor for garden plots. A machine for arranging trenches is also suitable as a base.
• If the base is selected without an engine, it is necessary to separately purchase a diesel or electric motor with a power of 2.5 to 15 kW.
• A gearbox for transmitting force from the engine to the auger mechanisms.
• Worm shaft for extrusion, similar to the auger on the BSU – thread pitch from 100 to 250 mm, diameter from 70 to 150 mm.
• Vibrator for fastening matrices with an eccentric that provides high-frequency vibrations during molding.
• Molds made of high-alloy steel with punches, manufactured on torcan and milling machines.
• Steel sheets with a thickness of 3 mm for welding the mold.
• Galvanized sheets with a thickness of 0.8 to 1.5 mm, for assembling the receiving hopper.
• Belt drives for connecting the engine with the moving parts of the mechanism.
• Control module with the ability to steplessly adjust the feed speed.
• Tank with a gasoline pump for the ability to refuel the unit with fuel.

Since the dosage, mixing, molding, and extrusion of the material must be carried out in complete compliance with the process map, you must thoroughly study the device’s design and principle of operation before beginning to assemble it by hand.

Step-by-step instructions

The following procedures are followed in order when building a curb machine by hand:

• The engine is connected to the wheelbase by installing a belt drive.
• A gas tank is mounted to the structure, which is connected to the engine using flexible hoses.
• A gearbox is attached to the motor axis, which ensures the conversion of torque into translational motion of the improvised vibrating press.
• A control panel with the ability to program operating modes is mounted to the motor.
• A screw dispenser with a worm drive is fixed in the lower part of the device.
• A black steel shaper is assembled at the end of the screw using electric arc welding.
• Matrixes with punches are fixed on the reverse side of the screw worm drive.
• A trapezoidal receiving box made of galvanized steel is formed in the upper part of the unit using cold soldering or riveting.

Release of a trial batch of products and strength testing are required right away following assembly and commissioning. The product may enter working mode of production if its quality satisfies GOST requirements.

The master of such a design must possess specific mechanical engineering abilities, and experts advise against using this method of curbstone production.

This article for "All about Concrete" examines curb machines, including their types, ready-made machine costs, and the viability of do-it-yourself solutions. A curb machine, which is necessary for creating curbs for construction and landscaping, is available in a variety of models to fit different budgets and requirements. The cost of ready-made machines varies greatly based on their size and features, so it’s important to compare your options with the needs of your project. Furthermore, even though competent people might think about building a curb machine themselves, professional-grade equipment is typically preferred for consistent results and efficiency due to factors like complexity and precision. The purpose of this guide is to make these factors easier for readers to understand when selecting the best curb machine for their projects.

Pros and cons of use

Because curb machines offer so many benefits, their use is increasing annually in our nation:

• Reduced cost of production.
• Minimal labor costs.
• No need to assemble formwork.
• Increased speed of molding products.
• Minimal number of wet processes.
• Perfect surface quality.
• Possibility of producing continuous flexible curbs.

But there are certain drawbacks to using a curb unit as well:

• High cost of equipment.
• Need for constant maintenance of the machine.
• Increased energy costs during continuous operation,
• Vibropressing technology entails an increase in the porosity of the finished product, which affects such characteristics of stones as frost resistance and water resistance.
• A high-quality binder with a grade of at least M500 is required.
• To increase strength, it is recommended to use fiber for structural reinforcement, which affects the cost of production.
• In the spring, efflorescence almost always appears on the surface of the stone.

Since casting is a tried-and-true method of producing curbs, many businesses do not want to alter this technology because they believe the end product is more useful and of higher quality.

Average costs

For a long time, the manufacture of curb machines on wheels, tracks, or rails has been plagued by numerous engineering concerns in our nation. Furthermore, several sizable plants also put together this kind of equipment so that it can be placed in the workshop without the need for transportation.

Curb installation costs are determined by the following variables:

• Machine productivity.
• Speed ​​of molding and extrusion of products.
• Volume of the receiving hopper.
• Availability of numerical control (CNC).
• Dimensions and weight of the device.
• Possibility of retooling for manufacturing different products.
• Availability of additional functions.
• Brand, country of manufacture.
• Internal pricing policy of the company.

Therefore, curb machines in the Russian Federation can be bought at the following retail prices, depending on the specified criteria:

• Unit for zone injection – from 150 – 200 thousand. rubles.
• Extruder with auger dispenser on a wheeled or tracked chassis – from 130 – 180 thousand. rubles.
• Machine on a rail chassis – from 400 – 500 thousand. rubles.
• Stationary curb machine for installation in a workshop – from 800 – 1000 thousand. rubles.

Many manufacturing firms have been working with commercial banks for a long time and providing clients with favorable leasing agreements because of the high cost of equipment.

Types of Curb Machines	There are slipform and extrusion curb machines.
Price for Ready-made Machines	Prices vary widely depending on size and features, ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars.
Possible to Make It Yourself?	It"s challenging due to precision requirements and specialized components, usually not feasible for most people.

The effectiveness and caliber of your concrete projects can be greatly impacted by your choice of curb machine. These devices are available in multiple varieties, each ideal for a distinct use. Large-scale projects like parking lots and highways are best suited for slipform machines because of their versatility and speed at creating continuous curbs. Conversely, extrusion machines offer greater design flexibility and are more suitable for smaller jobs.

Curb machine prices should take into account both one’s initial outlay of funds and ongoing savings. The cost of ready-made machinery can vary greatly, ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, based on their complexity and capabilities. Even though the initial cost may seem high, contractors and construction companies may find that they are a worthwhile investment over time due to the increased efficiency and decreased labor costs.

It is possible, albeit difficult, to build your own curb machine for individuals who enjoy do-it-yourself tasks. It calls for a thorough comprehension of machine engineering as well as concrete work. Constructing a machine that is safe, dependable, and produces consistent results is a difficult task that, when time and materials are taken into account, may not save as much money as anticipated.

Buying a curb machine or trying a do-it-yourself project ultimately comes down to your own requirements, knowledge, and financial situation. Purchasing a high-quality machine from a reliable manufacturer will expedite project completion schedules, optimize operational efficiency, and guarantee uniform curb quality. Though it necessitates careful planning and execution, building a custom machine can be a rewarding project for those with the necessary knowledge and resources.

Whatever option you decide on, it’s imperative to comprehend the kinds, prices, and viability of both pre-made and homemade curb machines in order to make an informed choice that fits both your project’s objectives and financial constraints.

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