A chat with an old timer changed how I see power trowels

I was working a pour in Tacoma last week, and the guy running the other power trowel was this retired finisher just helping out. I was pushing my machine hard, trying to get a fast finish. He stopped me and said, 'You're dancing on it, not walking. Let the blades do the work.' I slowed way down, barely leaning on the handles, and the finish came out glassy smooth with half the effort. I always thought more pressure meant better results. Anyone else have a simple tip that flipped your whole approach?

2 comments

2 Comments

tyler_hall921d agoMost Upvoted

My uncle used to say the same thing about pressure washers. He'd watch people scrub a deck raw trying to get it clean. A wider fan pattern and just letting the water do the cutting works way better than fighting it. It's a similar idea, forcing it usually just makes more work.

dakotal1921d ago

Letting the blades do the work" sounds nice, but on a bad slab you sometimes have to dance.