BRICKING SOLUTIONS, a provider of refractory installation equipment, introduced the Stair-Stepped Bricking Machine, incorporating the lightweight and high load-capacity of its EZ Flexx50 bricking machine but with a stair-stepped deck. This provides enough clearance beneath the scaffolding for forklift access, resulting in more efficient brick delivery. The stair-stepped bricking machine available for 4- to 6-meter (13.1- to 19.7-feet) diameter kilns and offers fast set up, ample deck space and easy keying for productivity.
The stair-stepped bricking machine offers the industry’s largest capacity and plenty of deck space for brick, personnel, and tools. The standard unit has a 4.3-meter (14-foot) long deck and can hold as much as 3,992 kg (8,800 lbs.) An optional capacity upgrade increases that to 5,987 lg (13,200 lbs.) The largest model’s platform is 5.2 meters (17.1 feet) long and can hold three pallets of brick totaling 4,620 kilograms (10,185 pounds).
In addition to deck area and capacity, the stair-stepped model provides enough clearance to drive support equipment, such as skid steers or forklifts, underneath the machine. This allows crews to easily deposit refractory brick for the bedding crew and bricking machine on the keying side. Some masons prefer this type of brick management as it minimizes brick handling and reduces the need for additional equipment, such as conveyors, to deliver brick. It also improves productivity and reduces brick damage and loss associated with the constant material handling.
The 4- to 5-meter (13.1- to 16.4-ft) stair-stepped bricking machine offers approximately 213 cm (84 inches) of clearance. 5- to 6-meter (16.4- to 19.7- foot) models provide approximately 264 cm (104 in.) Actual clearance is dependent on machine configuration and kiln size.
The stair-stepped bricking machine also offers improved ergonomics. By positioning workers and bricks on the stair steps, crews can stage brick at midlevel, minimizing lifting and bending.
The stair-stepped bricking machine is simple to assemble and maintain, and provides outstanding safety, productivity and ROI. The machine is manufactured with high-strength 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum, which is as strong as steel but only two-thirds the weight. A modular design and pin-together construction allows for setup in just 60 to 90 minutes, compared to 6 to 8 hours for many competitive models.
Bricking Solutions incorporated an ergonomic cut-away section in the front arch to allow keying access to close out a ring. Double arches support two rings at once for efficient installation, allowing masons to start installing the next ring while the previous is keyed out. These features allow an experienced crew to install 3.3 ft (1 meter) of brick per hour, compared to roughly .6 meters per hour with other techniques. Learn more at www.brickingsolutions.com.