There’s perhaps no better way to create a flat, dense concrete surface than with a walk-behind trowel. These trowels embed aggregate and consolidate mortar at the surface, which leaves you with an easy to work with concrete floor. At Maxwell Supply in Tulsa, we offer a line of Whiteman Trowels by Multiquip. Regardless of what type of trowel you use, however, you’ll want to maintain it properly. Here are some tips to make your walk-behind trowel last.
- Before operating
Before you set to work with your trowel, be sure to check some critical areas. The blades of the trowel are a critical component and come in direct contact with concrete. You’ll want to check these to make sure they’re straight and pitching at an even rate. Next, check the emergency stop switch. Put the switch in the ‘On’ position, start the engine and then flip the switch to ‘Off’. The engine should die and the switch should be easy to flip. Engine oil needs to be replaced after 50-hours of use and should be checked daily. Once per year, oil in the gearbox also needs to be changed. Periodic maintenance or changing of the air filter and belts is also required.
- After operating
Once you’re finished with the trowel for the day, take the time to thoroughly clean it. Concrete left on the trowel could damage it and its blades over time. A pressure washer will get most of the concrete, but you may need to scrape off additional residue with an ice scraper or similar tool. When cleaning, avoid tilting the trowel perpendicular to the ground. While this makes it easier to access the blades, it also can cause engine oil and fuel to leak. If oil leaks onto the piston cylinder, it could cause the engine to lock up.
- Storage
If you’re just storing your trowel overnight and bringing it out again the next morning, it should simply be parked flat with nothing resting on top of it. If it’s going into storage for an extended time, however, you’ll want to keep the blades flat rather than pitched. Draining the fuel is also advisable for long-term storage.
All things considered, walk-behind trowels are easy to maintain and simple to use. By following common sense and paying attention to daily wear and tear, your walk-behind trowel will last.
If you’d like to know more about Whiteman Trowels or are ready to order, give us a call at Maxwell Supply in Tulsa or stop by and see us.