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An electric trowel is a construction machine that smooths freshly poured concrete slabs using one or two rotors with spinning discs or multi-bladed attachments. Walk-behind or ride-on models are available. A screed is used for small slabs, while power trowels are preferred for larger slabs. The trowel is a simple platform with a gasoline engine and a clutch and “dead man” for safety. The rotating action of the disc or blades creates a level and uniform bed and brings the mortar slurry to the surface. Newer models have specially designed blades for polishing edges.
An electric trowel is a construction machine used to impart a smooth surface finish to freshly poured concrete slabs. This machine consists of one or two rotors which rotate parallel to the surface of the slab. Discs or multi-bladed attachments are spun against the still soft concrete surface by the rotors, thus effectively smoothing out any imperfections or high spots. Power trowels are available as walk-behind or ride-on machines. Both models are self-propelled by the friction of the blades or disc on the concrete and are turned by exerting additional pressure on a specific sector of the rotor.
When concrete slabs have been cast, the concrete surface is uneven and rough. Most building specifications call for a uniform slab surface which requires the concrete to be smoothed before it sets and hardens. A screed is used to smooth the surface on small slabs, sidewalks and walkways. A screed is a flat beam of wood, steel or aluminum that is drawn across the concrete surface to smooth out any high, rough spots. On larger slabs, this method is impractical and the power trowel becomes the preferred method of surface finishing.
Also known as a helicopter or power float, the trowel is basically a simple platform that supports a vertically inclined gasoline engine driving one or two rotors. The rotors are horizontally inclined and consist of a fitting that drives a flat disc or multi-bladed accessory resembling a large fan. The trowel drives are equipped with a clutch and “dead man” which allow the gradual engagement and total disengagement of the motion in the event that the operator loses his grip on the operating lever. The friction between the disc or blades and the concrete surface drives the power trowel and spins the machine when pressure is applied to one side of the rotor. Electric trowels are available as smaller walk-behind models and larger ride-on models.
The rotating action of the disc or blades flattens the protrusions and fills the cavities in the wet concrete surface, thus creating a level and uniform bed. It also brings the “grease” or mortar slurry in the concrete to the surface which creates a shiny, smooth surface. Many older trowels cannot move close to narrow slab edges, making these areas need to be troweled by hand. The newer models are equipped with specially designed blades that can polish the concrete surface right up to the edges and significantly speed up the finishing process.
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