Jones also pointed out that in many cases, expensive materials need to be handled with special care. These sophisticated machines can often enable one man to lift, transport and lay heavy erosion control slabs or components without any damage, [or the need for ropes and slings]. Many of these devices have been specifically designed for use in heavy-duty applications in a wide variety of environments. They also incorporate features which enhance worker/operator performance and machine output.

Less Downtime and Improved Worker Productivity

According to Jones, when the work environment improves,on-site performance is much greater. This generally translates into less downtime and improved worker productivity.

The Slab Grabber, a hydraulic lifting device that is distributed by Pave Tech, is used for medium and large slabs and can dramatically increase laying speed. The unit is equipped with pivoting heads to provide better grip and can accommodate slabs up to 24 inches. The Boulder Grabber is equipped with winches used for moving boulders and enables two men to easily move medium-size boulders.  For larger stones the mechanical Boulder Grabber 2 is designed to move boulders up to four feet in diameter weighing up to 2,200 pounds.

The Fast Grabber 1 and 2 enable placement of curbs, steps, retaining wall units and pre-cast erosion control products.  These units have a lifting capacity of 550 pounds and 780 pounds respectively.  Equipped with the Quick Clamp, moving retaining wall units or erosion control units weighing up to 1,200 lbs is possible.

The Paver Cart increases profitability by preventing damage to pre-cast units and eliminates delays that result from the use of wheelbarrows.

These lightweight carts are designed to allow speedy transfer and stacking of pre-cast units.  

Also available and extremely handy is the Paver Extractor, which effectively grabs an installed paver if removal is required for repairs.

The Mammoth Machine, uses vacuum power for moving and setting large pre-cast erosion control products.  This unit, which has folding telescoping supports at all four corners, can handle slabs of up to 265 pounds easily. The mast, which can extend to nine feet high and reach up to 12 feet, swivels 360 degrees in any direction. Vacuum power equipment makes it possible to move units in close quarters easily.  According to Jones the machine can handle anything from the smallest pavers to the largest pre-cast slabs weighing up to 5,000 pounds.

"Improved safety, minimizing product damage and better over-all quality of the finished work are the key benefits of using vacuum power to equipment," said Jones.

Mechanized Installation

Shown in this photograph is the Mammoth Machine, which uses vacuum power for moving and setting large erosion control or hardscaping products. The machine can handle units weighing up to 5,000 pounds.

The operator activates a clamp which grabs and lifts a cluster or layer of pavers from cubes of pavers, turns the machine, lowers the clamp and then releases the pavers. [A video, which demonstrates the machines in operation, is available from Pave Tech, as well as technical information on job planning and paving with mechanical equipment.]

About the Author- Brian Burton is a Member of the Standing Committee for Technical Evaluations for the Canadian Construction Materials Commission(CCMC).  He is a frequent contributor to Landscape Contractor.