Choosing a concrete vibrator: a review of models

When hardening, any concrete mix gives up moisture, which leaves behind pores, reducing the density of the material and in order to eliminate such voids, different methods are used (tamping, vacuuming), as well as a construction vibrator for concrete.

The size and power of such a tool depend, first of all, on the volume of the solution being stacked, as well as on your personal preferences. Below we will conduct a brief overview of such tools and their capabilities, as well as show you the video in this article on this topic.

Overview

Note. All units of this type, whether it is a homemade, gasoline or electric vibrator for concrete, are intended for compaction of the solution during its laying. When moving, the mixture seems to liquefy and dissimilar materials (sand, gravel, cement, reinforcement) converge most closely, leaving no room for friction. The smaller the macropores between the elements, the higher the density of the material and its physical mass.

Some models of immersion vibrators

• AUTO - it is an electric vibrator for concrete with an engine power of 2.3 kW, 1800 rpm, weight 4.5 kg, it operates from a network 220V, 50-60Hz. The kit comes with four vibrator heads AX with a built-in eccentric and double seal, and their parameters (diameter / length in mm / weight in kg) are AX25 - 25x300x1; AX38 - 38x345x1.9; AX8 - 48x370x3,4; AX58 - 58x410x5,5. Accordingly, they can process a certain amount of concrete - 10m³, 17m³, 28m³ and 5m³ for one hour of work.
• To transmit the torque from the engine to the mace, a flexible shaft of the models TAX and TAXE is used, where after the letters there is a figure indicating its length. So the instruction provides standard options for 1m (3kg), 1.5m (3.5kg), 2m (4kg), 3m (5kg), 4m (6kg), 5m (7kg), 6m (8kg). Such a shaft has a twisted metal braid to enhance strength, and at the points of connection of the mace with the engine - reinforcement made of rubber.

• DINGO - it is an electric concrete mixer with an engine power of 2.3 kW, 1800 r / min, weighing 4.5 kg, operates from the mains 220V, 50-60Hz. The kit comes with four vibrator heads AX with a built-in eccentric and double seal, and their parameters (diameter / length in mm / weight in kg) are AX25 - 25x300x1; AX38 - 38x345x1.9; AX8 - 48x370x3,4; AX58 - 58x410x5,5. Accordingly, they can process a certain amount of concrete - 10m³, 17m³, 28m³ and 5m³ for one hour of work.
• As you can see, the basic parameters here are identical to AUTO, but this is not surprising - both companies are located in Spain and adapt to local demand, although this applies to most European countries. By the way, vibrobulls here are also from the same manufacturer - AX - therefore their parameters are also identical.

• SPYDER - This is a high-frequency concrete vibrator with a built-in transducer, which makes it easier and more mobile than plug-in devices, although the quality of the mortar compaction here does not suffer. The mass of the unit is substantially less, since electronic converters are much lighter than mechanical converters. Power SPYDER 1.2kW with a mass of 2.95kg, with a level of protection 1P67, for power is enough an ordinary outlet for 220V, 50-60Hz.
• Three MB maces are supplied with the following parameters (mass (kg) / diameter (mm) / rotation speed (rpm) / power): MB32 - 9/36/12000 / 1.9; MB52 - 12/50/12000 / 1.9; MB62 - 14/58/12000 / 1.9. At the same time with such devices you can condense 20m in one hour³, 30m³ and 35m³ blends respectively.

• The depth portable vibrator for concrete also does not have uniform parameters for power and weight, although it is used for similar purposes, just such models are more suitable for home use.. For example, a power of 0.7 kW corresponds to a shaft of 2 m and a club with a diameter of 25 mm; 1,4 kW corresponds to a shaft on 2 m and a club with a diameter of 35 mm; 1.4 kW corresponds to a shaft on 2 m and a club with a diameter of 45 mm.
• To bring the unit into action, it is necessary to supply 220V, 50-60 Hz for a single-phase asynchronous motor, which is connected to the vibro-tip with a flexible shaft. Наконечник этого механизма снабжён планетарным вибрационным механизмом или так называемой «планетаркой». Конечно, цена портативных агрегатов наиболее низкая среди подобных электроинструментов.

• THERE IS ZDB35-CL - it is a gasoline vibrator for concrete in a knapsack design, that is, during operation it is put on like a backpack, which allows working on remote objects where there are no power lines. In this case, the carburetor engine HONDA GX35, which is connected to the tip of a 2 m long flexible shaft, is involved.

• ADA ZDB-160 - is a floor-mounted submersible vibrator for concrete, powered by a HONDA GX35 carburetor engine, which is connected to the tip of a flexible shaft 6m long. Again, the advantage of the unit is that it can be used on remote objects where there are no power lines.

• MAKITA BVR450RFE - This is a submersible accumulator vibrator for concrete, used in the construction of monolithic structures for compaction of the solution. The weight of such a tool is only 3.7 kg, which is not very much for such work, so you can work with it with your own hands for quite a long time.
• The length of the entire tool is 1483 mm, the flexible shaft is 1200 mm, and the diameter of the rod and clubs is 25 mm with a frequency of 13,000 oscillations per minute.. This model uses a Li-Lon type battery on 18I, with a capacity of 3A / hour.

Note. Some Internet users are looking for a wall-mounted vibrator for concrete on the net, but this may take any of the tools if the engine is at a great distance from the mace. The most suitable for this purpose are outdoor units, where the length of the flexible shaft reaches 6m.

Compaction mixture

As mentioned above, concrete is compacted in different ways, with the same ultimate goal - to achieve quality improvement by the most dense packing of the components and their proper distribution in the form and formwork.

Such processing directly affects the total mass of the solution, so if the cube of the mixture weighs about 2.2 tons / m before compaction³, after processing already from 2,4t / m³ up to 2.5t / m³ (отсюда и название «тяжёлые бетоны»). Настоящий процесс не просто увеличивает массу, но также повышает количество циклов морозостойкости и делает монолит водонепроницаемым.

In the construction market at the moment there are three types of immersion vibrators in frequency: 1) low-frequency, 2) mid-frequency and 3) high-frequency. Thus, option number 1 provides for up to 3,500 oscillations per minute with an amplitude of up to 3 mm; option number 2 - 3500-9000 oscillations per minute with an amplitude of 1-1.5 mm; option number 3 - 10 000-20 000 oscillations per minute with an amplitude of 0.1-1 mm.

Low-frequency units are usually used for mixtures with coarse aggregate - from 50 mm to 70 mm, medium frequency - for the fraction 10-50 mm, and high - from 10 mm or less (fine-grained concrete).

Of course, such standards should be respected in industrial and civil construction, but privately usually use the tool that is available. The discrepancy usually leads not to a decrease in product quality, but to an increase in production time.

Conclusion

Some are trying to assemble a homemade vibrator for concrete for construction on their site, but such a construction is hardly justified. For temporary use, you can always rent such a tool, especially since in this case, you can easily select it at the desired frequency, depending on the aggregate of concrete.