When it comes to achieving a consistent result in concrete floor prep, grinder head pressure and balance is extremely important. Whether you’re removing a coating, prepping concrete, or polishing to a mirror-level finish, adjusting and controlling head pressure can affect productivity, tooling life, and the finished product.
What is Head Pressure?
Head pressure is the amount of downward force applied by the grinding deck onto the floor. It is a combination of the machine’s weight, additional weight, and how that weight is distributed across the grinding head. All of the grinders at National have adjustable and/or removable weights. Our rule of thumb is to start with the weights back, over the wheels, then push them forward evenly. Run your concrete grinder slowly to understand the impact of the added weight, and decide if it is enough and if additional changes in tooling or weight are necessary
Why Head Pressure Matters
Removal Rate: The correct head pressure improves contact with the diamonds and surface, cutting faster and more effectively through coatings, adhesives, or uneven concrete.
Tooling Life: Too much head pressure can glaze or prematurely wear out diamond tooling. Too little can reduce productivity. The right balance helps maximize tool life and productivity.
Operator Control: Grinders with adjustable and removable weights give contractors more flexibility and the ability to complete a wider range of jobs.
What else matters?
Segment shape: The number of diamond segments attached to the grinding head directly impacts head pressure. Tooling designs with more segments result in less head pressure per segment, as more tooling shares the force load. Fewer segments allow concentrated pressure and increased cutting speed.
Grinder features: Some grinders are equipped with dual cut or variable speed systems. These features introduce variables to your grinding efficiency and impact the performance of your tooling. While head pressure may not change, adjustment of these features changes the distribution of head pressure on your machine.
Monitor your tooling: Uneven wear can be an indicator of unbalanced pressure or weight distribution. It is often best to start light and gradually increase head pressure until the desired head pressure is reached for removal or preparation.
Want more tips and tricks? Explore our YouTube Channel