What You Should Know About Acrow Props

Over the years, many different types of construction tools and equipment have evolved to keep up with the rapid pace of development and industrialization.  When the modern era gave rise to the burgeoning of cities, the need also emerged to create implements that would make the task of building faster and easier.  Today, there are many variations on traditional building equipment that are designed to be more efficient and less costly.  One of these is the acrow prop.

Acrow props are a type of construction prop that replaced old-fashioned timber props used for propping and shoring up masonry and curing slabs.  They were developed fairly recently, in the earlier half of the 20th century.  These props were the creation of a Swiss named William de Vigier who arrived in London in 1935.

At this time, most construction project made use of wooden props cut especially to fit the needs of each specific job.  De Vigier’s props however, were made of steel and could be used over and over again. While there was a bit of initial resistance to the new props in the industry, their use was eventually adopted by large building firms like Sir Robert McAlpine.  De Vigier named his creation the “acrow prop” after his solicitor, Mr. A. Crow - presumably because it was a name that was easier to remember than his own.

These props consist of a body that is telescopic in nature.  It has a base plate and a top plate as well as pins that allow for coarse and fine adjustment.  These props can be shortened or lengthened as the need arises, and has proved to be more cost-effective than the use of timber.  This is especially true at present, when there is a need to conserve wood for the sake of the environment.  These props have also been slightly redesigned to allow for easier stacking and storage.

This type of prop is very useful for several tasks on a construction site.  Besides supporting curing concrete slabs, it can also be used to hold up the higher floors or levels while pillars or supports are being completed.  It is also used in instances where these supports are in need of repair, as well as to support walls in cases where a hole or window has to be knocked into the brickwork.  In such cases, it is used together with wooden “needles” or “strongboys.”

This construction prop comes in five different sizes.  Each size is designed to support a specific amount of weight, with the maximum weight it can support halved when the prop is fully extended.  The length of the prop also varies.  The smallest size is about 3 feet and five inches long, while the largest can be as long as sixteen feet.

Acrow props are relatively easy to stack and store at present, but many contractors opt to rent or hire them instead of buying.  This is particularly true when a job only requires their use for a short or limited period. Remember to get these tools from a trusted seller to ensure safety and quality.