Construction articles
Bill's top 9 tools
Tools that make life easier on our bodies and increase efficiency on job sites.
By Bill Gardocki, Interstate Landscape Co., Inc.I have always been like a kid in a candy store when it comes time to buy tools for my company. When I see something that looks like it will make life easier for my guys, I always take a closer look.
The focus of my top 9 tools for the hardscape industry falls into 2 categories: efficiency and employee safety. I want to purchase tools that make my company the most efficient it can be. In this competitive market, every edge helps.
I also want to look at tools that extend the working years of my employees. I invest a lot of money and time in training my employees. I want them to have long careers with me.
So let’s look at some tools (in no particular order) that make life easier on our bodies and increase efficiency on job sites. My company owns, and uses these tools every day.
1. The Pave Mor suction tool for installing large slabs and natural stone. The one-man tool lifts up to 60 lbs and the 2-man tool lifts up to 240 lbs. This tool saves fingers, knees and backs. From my experience, it is also 3x faster than laying slabs by hand.
2. The Kracker block splitter is a great tool for splitting SRW blocks and caps. You don’t get that sudden back jolt that you get with a guillotine splitter. The block or cap is loaded onto the splitting table the same way as the guillotine splitter, however, a simple foot pump mechanism is used to split the block. We have one of these on every crew.
3. The swing tailgate. If you have been following my past articles, you know I am a big believer in large trucks. With these larger trucks come heavier tailgates. For years, we would huff and puff to lift and close the 500 lb tailgates with 2 men. The swing tailgate saves your back, arms and legs from injury. We are constantly loading and unloading pallets, so this tool is a great time saver. Any competent welder can manufacture a swing tailgate mechanism.
4. All-wheel steer option on skid steers. These machines save on repairs on those warm summer days on asphalt driveways and on the purchase of replacement tires. I will never buy a skid steer again that does not have this feature.
5. The Probst (Pave Tech) ManHandle TSV. I can actually remember the days when 2 of us would lift 4' granite steps (440 lbs) into place by hand. Now, I can’t even imagine lifting those steps without this tool. It is just one, in a long line of great hardscape tools from Probst.
6. The cutoff saw. As I have said in previous articles, I believe the cutoff saw is the number one time saving tool in our industry. I am hoping to see the next generation of cutoff saws come out with dust collection systems. Buy the best blades you can for cutting pavers. You can get by with lesser quality blades for cutting the lower psi SRW products.
7. Weber MT's Compatrol compaction measuring feature. This system screams efficiency. We waste so much time over-compacting, or risk failure with under-compacting that this system is a must for any serious hardscape contractor. The gauge tells you when you have reached full compaction of the soil, basically saying, "Hey dummy, stop!"
8. The Probst (Pave Tech) SandPull Pro. No more need to be on your knees screeding sand. The tool saves your knees and back from stress and strain.
9. Helac PowerTilt excavator attachment. This tool makes my top 9 list after watching my son manipulate it on most of our hardscape jobs. Check out how this tool saves time and labor on our YouTube site "BobcatNinja2124."
Bill Gardocki is the owner of Interstate Landscape Co., Inc. in Londonderry, NH. He has been installing hardscapes for over 30 years. Bill has taught over 75 classes as an ICPI and NCMA Certification Instructor. He also provides hardscape installation seminars to sales reps in the hardscape and softscape industry. Contact Bill at Bill@InterstateLandscapeNH.com.
