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

Concrete power float is the latest polishing machine for the roughness and fineness of concrete surface. It is able to make the construction surface much smoother and greatly improve the compactness and wear resistance of the concrete surface. It can greatly increase work efficiency by more than dozens of times compared with manual work. This machine is widely used in concrete pavement, floor, airport, floor, etc. This article will introduce you in detail what is power float, when to use it and how to use it.

concrete power float

What Is Power Float

Concrete power float is also known as concrete power trowel, concrete helicopter machine and concrete helicopter machine. It is one of the most common concrete flooring machines used to apply a smooth finish to a concrete slab. There are two types of power float machine: ride-on type and wlak behind type.

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When To Power Float Concrete

  • For smaller surface areas, a manual float can be used.
  • For larger areas, a hand-powered float or even a ride-on power float is better because they are faster and more efficient.
  • Power floats are fairly easy to use, but it takes training and practice to maximize their potential.
  • The ideal smooth and even surface can be achieved on freshly poured concrete by treating it before it dries.
  • Make sure your pour is set for a rain-free day. Once dumped, the concrete mixture will begin to dry.
  • Waiting for the right time to start your float machine is critical.
  • Auseful guide to knowing when you can start the concrete float machine is when the operator can stand on the concrete surface, leaving a footprint about 1/8″-1/4″ Deep, and you can walk firmly on it without the top layer sticking to your boot.

footprint about 1/8'-1/4' Deep

How To Use

Preparing

  1. Make sure all loose packaging materials have been removed from the machine.
  2. Check the machine and its components for damage. If there is visible damage, do not operate the machine! Contact dealer immediately for assistance.
  3. Take inventory of all items included with the machine and verify that all loose componentsand fasteners are accounted for.
  4. Add fluids as needed and applicable, including fuel, engine oil, and battery acid.

power-float-control

Installing The Float Blades

There are three types of blades available for the machines.float pans are large style blades, which hook on over finish or combination blades,used in the earliest stages of work, and are not pitched. Finishing blades are used in the final stages of working, and are progressively pitched to burnish the concrete.

Combination blades can be used throughout the concrete working process.they are used inplace of float pans and finishing blades.

Note: Do not put larger diameter blades on a smaller diameter power float.

  1. Finishing blades are flat on both edges and can be installed in either direction.
  2. When installing combination blades, orient blades as bellow.this positions the raised edgesof the blade correctly for the clockwise rotation of the machine.
  3. Secure blades to trowel arms with screws (a). Dip threads of screws in grease prior tothis will prevent concrete from cementing the screws in place and will make removal of the blades easier later on.

Warning: Do not lift the machine overhead with a float pan attached, as the pan could fall off and strike personnel working in the vicinity.

Installing-the-power-float-blades

Before Starting

Before starting the machine, check the following items:All handles are free from grease, oil and dirt.

All control levers are in the neutral position.all bolted joints are tightened.

Fuel level

Oil level in the engine oil level in gearbox

Air cleaner maintenance in dicator condition of ring guard

Condition of trowel arms and blades

Notice: Check the oil level in the engine and machine before starting.the warranties are void if the machine run without oil.

YouTube video

Handle Installation And Adjusting

Un-pack the handle assembly and the lower unit from the boxes. Check to make sure no damage was done during shipment. Mount the handle assembly to the gearbox on the lower unit using 10mm nuts that are supplied in a package on the lower unit.

Pull the pitch control cable (a) from bottom end of the tube and remove the cable nut (b) from the cable.push the control knob(c) all the way forward (away from the operator) or turn the twist pitch control handle counterclockwise as far as possible.connect the cable to the yoke (d) as shown and adjust the cable nut so the cable is snug and the float blade slay flat (0° pitch).

Move throttle to idle position. Remove air cleaner cover.feed cable through clamp on recoil cover.connect throttle cable to engine throttle bracket by placing z-bend through hole in throttle plate.clamp cable into throttle casing bracket. Replace air cleaner cover.

On machines with an adjustable handle, position the handle by loosening the knob(e) and adjusting the handle up or down to suit the operator. Tighten the knob to secure the handle in position.

Handle-Installation-and-Adjusting

Safety Stop Switch

The switching mechanism of this switch should operate freely and should always be kept in

This condition. With the switch in the off position, the engine should not start or run.the purpose of this switch is to stop the engine in a runaway situation, (i.e. The operator releasing the handle during operation).

To Start

Before starting the concrete troweling must know the location and function of all controls.

Make sure the safety stop switch is in the stop position. If it is not, push the lever down to the stop position before at tempting to start the engine.

1. Open fuel valve under fuel tank

Note: If engine is cold, move choke lever to closed position. If engine is hot, set choke toopen position.

2. Turn engine switch to”On”.

3. Move the throttle lever to the idle position.

4. Pull starter rope.

Warning: Do not place foot on the ring guard when starting the engine, as severe injury can occur if foot slips through the ring guard as the blades start to spin.

5. Open choke as engine warms.

6. Open throttle and safety stop switch to operate power float machine.adjust blade rpm with throttle speedto suit conditions.

start use power float

Maneuvering The Power Float

Below illustrates a typical walk-behind concrete float machine application. Practice maneuvering the machine. The trick is to let the machine do the work.

Continue to practice maneuvering the machine. Try to practice as if you were finishing a slab of concrete. Practice edging and covering a large area. Remember a good finishing technique is to work backwards. Be careful when moving backwards so that hazards can be avoided. The best way to get accustomed to the power float is repeated use.

To move the machine to the operator’sleft, lift up on the handle, to move the power float machine to the right push down on thehandle.

Remember: That if you let goof the machine, just step awayand let the power float come to acomplete stop before tryingto recover the machine.

The best method for finishing concrete is toslowly walk backwards with the machine, guiding the float machine from side to side.this will cover allfootprints on wet concrete. Floated and trowelled finishes require a lot of patience.

Below illustrates a typical walk-behind power float application. Practice maneuvering the machine. The trick is to let the machine do the work.

Continue to practice maneuvering the machine. Try to practice as if you were finishing a slab of concrete. Practice edging and covering a large area. Remember a good finishing technique is to work backwards. Be careful when moving backwards so that hazards can be avoided. The best way to get accustomed to the machine is repeated use.

To move the machine to the operator’sleft, lift up on the handle, to move the power float concrete finish to the right push down on thehandle.

Remember! That if you let goof the machine, just step awayand let the machine come to acomplete stop before tryingto recover the power float.

The best method for finishing concrete is to slowly walk backwards with the concrete power float, guiding the machine from side to side.this will cover all foot prints on wet concrete.

Maneuvering-The-Power-Float

To Stop

Reduce engine rpm to idle by moving the throttle lever to idle position.release the safety stop switch.turn engine switch to “Off”.

Pitch Adjustment

To adjust blade pitch (angle) by twist pitch control knob. Turning the knob clockwise to increases the pitch of the blades. turning the knob counter-clockwise flattens or decreases the pitch of the blades.

Floating Operation

Attach float blades to the float arms, and when the concrete has set sufficiently to support the weight of the float machine, place the unit on the concrete. Start the unit and engage the blades as previously instructed.using the tilt adjustment knob to adjust the blades to the float

Position-blades should be as flat to the concrete as possible with enough tension kept on the tiltad just ment cable to prevent the unit from dancing or chattering.

This operation will bring the water and fines to the surface, allowing for a smoother finish when finishing the concrete.

Finishing Operation

After floating, allow the concrete to set until it will support the weight of the concrete power float.set thepitch to approximately 1/4″ To 3/8″ On the blades. Lf the blades start to dig into the concrete,decrease the amount of pitch.

Conclusion

Concrete power float is a versatile tool that can be used in many ways to smooth and level concrete. It can quickly fix small areas of damage, or it can be used as part of a larger leveling project. Concrete power float should always be used with caution, however, because it can easily cause more damage if not used properly.

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