Gas Engine Equipment: Atlas Copco BG245 and BG375 Trowels
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Atlas Copco’s new BG245 and BG375 walk-behind trowels excel at finishing concrete in limited-access worksites, and close to walls due to their compact bodies and light weight. The upgraded trowels feature an adjustable handle to enhance versatility; a maintenance stand to make servicing easy; and a centrifugal clutch for safe operations.
“We upgraded our BG240 and BG370 trowels and replaced them with the BG245 and BG375,” said Jim O’Brien, Atlas Copco business line manager of construction tools. “The trowels are excellent additions for anyone that works with concrete, from contractors to rental centers.”
The trowels’ relatively light weight and compact protection rings provide superior versatility on concrete slabs. The BG245 weighs 130 pounds and is just 24 inches in diameter while the BG375 weighs 185 pounds, and is 36 inches in diameter. The new compact trowels are easy to maneuver and can tackle a wide range of projects, from sidewalks to driveways.
The BG245 features a rubber edged floating protection ring to prevent damaging walls, which makes it ideal for use on indoor worksites where a wall or other obstacle exists. The BG375’s larger size offers efficient operation on bigger, outdoor applications, such as driveways. Both trowels come standard with a gas-powered, high-capacity Honda engine. The trowels are also offered in an essential line that is equipped with a Vanguard engine.
The trowels’ twist pitch controls allow the operator more control and feel of the blade angle on the concrete. A quick pitch version featuring eight fixed positions for even easier adjustment will be available in the future. Both trowels can be operated at variable speeds making it possible to do high-speed burnishing and low-speed, high-torque floating.
The trowels also enhance operator safety. The units’ safety switch, commonly referred to as the dead man’s grip, disconnect the drive train from the engine as soon as the operator releases the grip. This stops the blades within 180 degrees of rotation, which not only improves safety, but also minimizes costly damage to the concrete.
The BG245 and BG375 trowels’ carrying handles are welded to the protection rings and support the trowels when the machines are tilted forward for maintenance, such as cleaning or changing blades. Contractors can fold the units’ operating handles to save cargo space and load-handling time during transport.
The BG375 features a detachable throttle that can be moved from the left handle to the right, which enhances comfort and ease of use for left and right-handed operators. It also can be equipped with optional transportation wheels for fast and easy maneuverability around the job site.