Technical Advances for New Wacker Trowels

Sept. 28, 2010

Wacker makes no small claims for its new line of walk-behind power trowels. These machines, says the company, "introduce many unique features to the industry." During its 20-plus years in the power-trowel market, Wacker says its engineers have made significant contributions to the industry for improving trowel performance and operator comfort. But the new CT (Concrete Trowel) line "goes beyond just improvement; it introduces an entirely new concept to the concrete finisher."

According to Wacker, the new CT line has six patents pending, the first of which is aimed at protecting the operator from a spinning, out-of-control handle. When the operator is using one of these new models and releases the handle, a gyroscopic safety sensor detects the motion of the handle and stops the engine before the handle travels through 45 degrees of rotation.

This action then engages the gearbox brake (patent pending), which stops handle rotation within an arc of 270 degrees. This system, says Wacker, protects the operator from being struck by a runaway handle, and it also meets worldwide safety specifications.

A third operator-protection feature is an engine "rev-limiter" (patent pending). The limiter, says the company, senses rapid engine acceleration when first started, and thus prevents the operator from starting the machine at full throttle. The net result, again, is protection from a runaway handle rotation during restarts.

Another patent-pending feature of the new trowel line is its "dynamically balanced design." By changing the position of the engine, says Wacker, the trowel's weight is dynamically centered when the machine is in operation. This dynamic balancing is aimed at reducing control effort by as much as 50 percent compared to former designs, says Wacker, and operators will note a dramatic improvement in ease of operation and lessening of fatigue.

The new trowel line also has two patents pending for handle design, which combines the company's curved-handle contour with the traditional bike handle ¡ª a feature that promotes enhanced control and comfort for the operator. The machines are available in 36- and 48-inch diameters, have a horsepower range of 6 to 9 and, of course, both float and finish concrete surfaces.

List prices for these new trowels range from about $2,500 to $3,000.

Wacker CT
According to Wacker, the new CT walk-behind power trowels provide high production, are easy to operate, and are suited for floating and finishing concrete surfaces.
According to Wacker, the new CT walk-behind power trowels provide high production, are easy to operate, and are suited for floating and finishing concrete surfaces.
Tables:
Available Choices
Model Trowel Diameter Engine Make HP
CT 36-6 36" Wacker WM-170 6
CT 36-5A 36" Honda 5.5
CT 48-9 48" Wacker WM-270 9
CT 48-8A 48" Honda 8