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Collect Concrete Profits with a Curb Rolling Machine
Collect Concrete Profits P with a Curb Rolling Machine with a Curb Rolling Machine with a Curb Rolling Machine
How implementing a walk-behind curbing machine can open doors and increase profits.
When looking for the right tool to expand business, it’s important to consider the cost vs. benefit of adding the tool and service. Beyond the initial expense, consider potential revenue, maintenance costs, and required employee training. Like any construction endeavor, curb and gutter can be tackled with several methods. Dedicated contractors may have access to a large, drivable curb machine—an efficient option for significant curb and gutter jobs. On the smaller end of the scale is the handforming approach, suitable for small jobs, but slow compared to heavy equipment. Quality control is also more difficult plus hand work is often paired with physical strain and back-breaking labor.
Between hand-forming and large slipform curbing equipment lies a mid-sized option: the walk-behind curbing machine. This easy-to-transport, simple-to-use option is a logical addition for contractors looking to handle curb and gutter jobs themselves and avoid the complications of sub-contracting out the work. This class of equipment provides enhanced
With low initial investment and minimal maintenance, a walk-behind curbing machine offers a fast ROI and a quick way to boost profits.
productivity in a product that is easy to learn and simple to use, as well as being economical. Easy to transport with a small footprint, walk-behind curb rollers consist of a handle attached to a metal drum run by a hydraulic power source. Because of an intuitive, straightforward operation, it only takes a few minutes to train crew on the equipment. Some machines of this kind feature an ergonomic design and a pivoting handle to provide a comfortable offset tailored to the height of the operator. The operator then walks outside of the framework parallel to the form while pulling the concrete.
Where common curb and gutter projects range from 50-5,000 linear ft., a walk-behind machine can help a crew accomplish curb forming work up to 50% faster than by hand. With handheld tools, crews can pour and finish up to 600 ft. in an 8-hour day. However, with a walk-behind machine, they can pour and finish up to 2,000 ft. in a day. Plus, a crew can accomplish the job with half as many workers and with less physical strain—allowing a roller to pay for itself after just 1,200 ft.
Contractors can save on the cost of sub-contracting and open the door to potential money-making opportunities by taking on curb and gutter work with an in-house crew. The cost of installing curb and gutter varies by city. If 200 ft. of 6-in. by 18-in. concrete curb costs $2,500 in labor and materials, five 200-ft. jobs in a month would equate to $12,500. That can either be considered as profit from new opportunities, or savings from not having to hire a sub-contractor.
Having a fast-moving process is important because of the slump requirements for curb work. The walkbehind drum option lets the workers control the speed of the machine, making it easy to keep a close eye on the concrete—allowing a worker to add water if the slump is too low or if the concrete is too dry. On the other hand, if the slump is too high, a skilled concrete worker will know to let the material sit to dry out for a while before forming. Because of the slump calculations that a curbing machine requires (usually 3 to 4-in. slump) it offers a longer time of workability and allows for finish work or touch ups.
A walk-behind curbing machine is easy to clean and requires almost no maintenance; they can be simply rolled in the grass and wiped down. Its lightweight nature makes it easy for two workers to lift them into a truck bed.
Whether a contractor is looking to expand their equipment offerings from large to smaller or vice versa, a mid-sized piece of equipment like a walk-behind curbing machine can be a smart choice. From the largest company to the smallest two- or three-man operation, the equipment allows for expanded profits each time crews take on a curb and gutter job. Selecting the right equipment to fit the bill requires time and research, but the increased job potential and ROI make the effort worth it.
After a decade in the concrete and construction industries, Seth Ulmer joined Curb Roller Manufacturing as the sales manager.
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