Concrete Helicopter: Everythings You Need To Know

The concrete helicopter is called as concrete power trowel, Helicoptere Beton, concrete power float, concrete finishing machine, the concrete helicopter is used to quickly and efficiently finish concrete floor. In this article we will explain to you this construction equipment, not only let you know what it is, but also tell you some of its characteristics, how to use it, and the precautions when using it.

Concrete Helicopter

What Is Concrete Helicopter

Concrete helicopter is a construction equipment that helps in leveling concrete surfaces. It is also called a power trowel or a floating trowel. This equipment is made up of a metal disc that has blades attached to it. The blades help in finishing the concrete surface. The disc rotates at high speeds and this helps in finishing the concrete surface quickly. Concrete helicopter is widely used in various construction projects like building bridges, highways, buildings, etc. This equipment is very easy to use and it requires less manpower. Concrete helicopter can be used for both big and small construction projects. There are two types of concrete helicopters: Ride on trowel and walk behind type.

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When Should A Concrete Helicopter Machine Be Used?

It is used for the finishing (trowelling and smoothing) of all types of slabs, both indoors and outdoors.

It is particularly suitable for surfacing traditional concrete slabs, which may in some cases include a surface hardener (e.g. quartz).

It can be used to finish certain decorative concretes (smoothed concrete floors, quartz concrete, coloured concrete, waxed concrete).

Ride-on-Concrete-Helicopter-Hiking-Machinery

Advantages

Compared to hand trowelling and finishing, the concrete helicopter saves time, gives a perfect surface. It is particularly used for the finishing of concrete slabs on large surfaces (e.g. industrial floors), for which it allows the project to be completed in record time.

When To Use

Fresh concrete can be worked on as soon as it has enough bearing capacity to walk on and place the helicopter. A concrete helicopter must be used before the poured concrete is completely dry. However, if the concrete is too wet, the use of a concrete helicopter may cause the concrete to be torn up apart by delamination of the concrete material.
The waiting time between the finishing the concrete adjustment with the vibrating rule and the start of the surfacing varies according to the weather and the concrete formula (type of cement in particular). In general, it takes a minimum of 2 to 3 hours.
Here is a method to test if you can start concrete finishing work: You can step on the concrete if your footprint is about ¼ inch deep or less and there is no or minimal water seepage, you can continue using the helicopter smoothing the surface.
On the other hand, if your footprint has a lot of water or is more than ½ inch deep, you may need to wait a bit until it meets the conditions.

How To Use

The operation method has been mentioned several times in our previous articles, for example:

Power Float: What Is It, When To Use It, How To Use It

Use power trowel pans for troweling

Once it is possible to walk on the concrete (which corresponds to the start of setting), mechanical floating can begin.
Floating is carried out with a concrete trowel pan fitted with a smoothing blade or with a smoothing blade (roughing blade).

Use power trowel blade for Finishing

After use a concrete power trowel pan and then mechanically grind the surface with a smoothing blade (steel dressing blade) until a closed, smooth surface is obtained.
Several passes are required, gradually increasing the inclination of the blade.
Concrete floors do not require excessive finishing, Please note that brown marks (“burnt” surface phenomenon) may occur if the steel grindings are used excessively.

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Safety Instructions Of The Concrete Helicopter

When operating the concrete helicopter, the following safety precautions should be followed:
1. Always run it on a flat, level surface.
2. It should be transported in an upright position
3. Remove any debris (e.g. bricks, stone glass, ropes, or other sharp materials) from the work area.
4. Make sure you have a firm grip on the handle when the machine is in operation.
5. Using it for long periods of time may cause unwanted vibrations.

Different countries have different safety standards and you will need to decide on safety matters for your machine depending on local conditions.

Concrete Finishing Helicopter Rental

Concrete helicopters are relatively inexpensive machines. For professional concrete contractors, we do not recommend you to use it by rental. If you are a DIY home builder, you can try renting. Rental rates are typically $60-$100 a day.

Conclusion

The concrete helicopter is a construction equipment used to quickly and efficiently finish the concrete floor. It has some characteristics, such as its weight and size, that you should take into consideration when using it. In addition, there are also precautions you should take when working with this equipment. By following these guidelines, you can use the concrete helicopter safely and effectively on your next project.

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