Masonry saws and blades

Masonry Construction, Feb, 2005

Hand-held tools evoke many very different thoughts depending on th e type of business a person comes from or on what he is used to. The term "hand-held tool" traditionally referred to an air tool, gas-powered tool, or screwdriver.

Now, hand-held tools also can refer to hydraulic-powered models. Anyone in the construction industry knows what hydraulic power does. In fact, most companies probably already own a piece of machinery capable of hydraulic power output, such as skidsteer loaders, compact excavators, or compact utility tractors.

Valentino "Tino" Piazza of Piazza Masonry, Vassar, Mich., has learned how to effectively combine the power of his skidsteer loader with that of hydraulic hand-held tools.

Reasons for switch

Piazza Masonry started in 1990 and performs about 60% masonry and 40% flatwork. The company owns two skidsteer loaders: a Bobcat 753 and a S185. Piazza's philosophy regarding equipment rental and purchase is "If you rent it twice and need it again, buy it." This business approach is what led him to purchase hydraulic hand-held tools.

Air power tools were his traditional choice, primarily because hydraulic hand versions were not available in the rental market. "Air tools got the job done," recalled Piazza, "but not like the hydraulic types."

The contractor began looking into the purchase of hydraulic hand-held tools at the World of Masonry in Las Vegas in 2003. He saw the tools at work in the demo areas, and received more information from a local equipment dealer. In June 2003 he took the risk and purchased a number of these tools with a hydraulic flow converter and job box that attaches to his skidsteer loader.

Putting hydraulics to work

Zehnder's of Frankenmuth is the 7th largest independent restaurant in the country, with 10 dining rooms and over 10,000 square feet of retail space. Ron Ross, corporate director of engineering, selected Piazza Masonry to remove a concrete wall in the lower level and cut a small trench to install cables under the floor.

Three different hand tools were used on the job: concrete chainsaw, 90-pound hydraulic breaker, and concrete cut-off saw. Piazza also brought along a chipping hammer to break the concrete from the small trench that would be cut.

The hand tools were connected to a hydraulic power source (Bobcat S185) outside the building. "I needed 150 feet of hose to get to the work area, but these tools still operated with full power," said Piazza.

The contractor has learned a few things that he wouldn't have known before purchasing and using hydraulic tools. First, his employees preferred hydraulic-powered hand tools, with smoother operation and reduced dust levels contributing to their preference. Second, hydraulic hand tools are much easier to connect and disconnect than air types. Changing tools is as easy as removing hydraulic quick couplers from one tool and connecting them to another.

When asked about the greatest advantages of hydraulic tools, the response came quickly. "I can finally use hand tools indoors without worrying about dust and carbon monoxide," said Piazza. "These benefits open up a lot of jobs not available before." A job can get started in the evening when a business closes and is open again for customers the next morning. There is no need to wait for the place to "air out."