Chicago Pneumatic Construction Equipment now offers a new concept in its vibration equipment lineup with the launch of electronic pokers. The quiet, safe and efficient Vektor 12K electronic pokers provide high centrifugal force, making them suitable for use across a wide variety of high-to-low slump concrete applications.
For ease of operation, all Vektor models feature a high-frequency motor-in-head poker and a built-in frequency converter (60 to 220 Hz), which allows them to be plugged directly into a standard 115 V wall socket. The concrete pokers are available in two versions: a standard model equipped with a 16 ft. hose for vibrating concrete walls, bridges and beams, and a de-vibrated E-version specifically designed for flooring applications.
At 12 times the unit’s diameter and a vibration frequency of 12,000 VPM, the Vektor series features an expansive radius of action and requires fewer insertions. This results in greater productivity on-site and faster job completion. A key element of the Vektor series is the poker head design. Built in is a silent electric induction motor that drives a one-piece copper helical rotor. For added protection, all of these vital components are housed within a hardened steel tube. In addition, the design provides less resistance when the machine starts and operates at full capacity. This results in reduced power consumption, which allows it to run the poker using a small generator.
High-quality, low-maintenance and oil-lubricated roller bearings ensure the life of the poker head is extended compared to conventional greased-for-life bearings. For additional efficiency, all models are equipped with a rebar blockage prevention feature that monitors the poker’s current draw and adjusts the poker head’s amplitude to avoid jamming inside the reinforcement bars. Both the operator and machine are protected through a number of internal safety features located within the converter box.
“Say there is an on-site power outage, the poker will immediately stop working,” said Darrell Engle, product manager, concrete equipment at Chicago Pneumatic. “If the poker is left unattended, it will not restart until the operator manually activates the one-push start button. This provides an added safety function when working on something like scaffolding, where an automatically restarted vibrator could fall down and cause injuries.”
