Handheld trowels have been around for thousands of years, utilized especially in excavations, construction, and gardening. Then, in the 20th century, came the power trowel. Utilized in medium-to-large concrete surface projects, the power trowel is engineered with powered, rotating blades that cover greater surface areas than a handheld trowel.
The ride-on power trowel takes things a step further, maximizing the operator’s efforts, covering as much as three times the amount of surface area as walk-behind models in the same amount
of time. Of course, not every job calls for a ride-on model. Concrete professionals using ride-ons are typically working on parking garages, stadiums, and other massive surfaces.
Read on for more up-to-date information on power trowels.
Using Power Trowels for Concrete Polishing
When most people think of a power trowel, they think of the act of troweling – applying or spreading material for the purpose of smoothing surfaces. In the case of concrete, this ensures the finishing process by working out residual water from the wet concrete.
But many don’t realize that power trowels can also be used for polishing concrete surfaces. While deep cracks and uneven floors should be left to grinders and shavers, you can use a power trowel when performing a simple finishing polish on new or updated surfaces.
RSP’s Magnetic Preload System
Using your power trowel for concrete polishing? Runyon offers a revolutionary tool to help improve polishing efficiency. We call it the Magnetic Preload System (MPS). This system was designed for grit adjustments on the fly. The MPS can be utilized on auto scrubbers, swing machines, and, of course, power trowels. Read on for more.
The MPS allows for the fast and efficient changing of any 3″ velcro-backed tooling on a standard 11″, 14″, or 16″ pad driver. The system consists of a stainless-steel ring that bolts to the pad driver and a high-density polymer tool holder ring with embedded magnets on one side and six recessed slots for 3″ velcro-backed puck-style tools on the other.
To change tools, simply pull off the polymer tool holder currently on the driver and slide a new, fully loaded polymer tool holder on. Alignment bosses on the stainless-steel ring, with corresponding guide holes on the polymer rings, make achieving a secure and proper placement automatic. Each setup comes with one stainless steel ring and two polymer tool holders, so you can always have your next step of tools loaded and ready to go.
Check our MPS introduction video for an up-close look.
Are All Ride-on Power Trowels Gasoline-powered?
You’ll find that many ride-on models are powered by gasoline. However, Runyon currently offers a propane conversion kit for the Multiquip LD6. Currently the only fully hydrostatic 6-foot ride-on trowel on the market, the Ld6 enhances maneuverability while also enabling easy maintenance for long-term dependability.
Trowel Blade & Pan Types
Float Blades
When troweling, your float blades will compact the concrete aggregate and cause any water in the mix to rise to the surface.
Float Pans
A float pan is a circular disc that clips to the trowel blades. Pans both provide a flatter surface appearance and help assist the transition from wet to dry concrete.
Combination Blades
Combination blades serve dual purposes when troweling, allowing you to float and finish your concrete surface without having to change out the blades.
Walk-behind & Ride-on Power Trowels for Purchase or Rent
Every year, it seems there are new and exciting updates to the realm of power trowels, and we’re proud to witness them firsthand. Runyon Surface Prep offers an extensive collection of concrete construction equipment. From scarifiers and shavers to handheld tools and concrete dyes, we strive to be your one-stop shop for all-things concrete surface prep.
Ready to get started? Call or connect with us online.