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Vibrate concrete

To vibrate concrete, insert the poker vertically, hold it 5 to 15 seconds per spot until fine bubbles rise, and pull it out slowly. The gas-powered SQ28 PRO (Honda GX160, 38 mm head) is for slabs and big pours. The SQMG28 backpack unit is for moving between columns, and the SQVEH40 and SQRVP1.5 electrics are for indoor work.

Also called: poker vibrator, immersion vibrator

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Field rules

Do it right the first time

01

Insert vertically, every 40–50 cm, 5 to 15 seconds per point. When fine bubbles rise and the surface sheens, done.

02

Pull the head out slowly (concrete must close behind it). Yanking it leaves the void marked.

03

Never use the vibrator to move concrete sideways: that segregates the mix. Move it with a shovel, vibrate it in place.

04

Pouring in layers → push the poker until it enters the layer below a little: that stitches them and avoids a cold joint.

The machines for this job

SIMAQ picks

Compare models side by side
SIMAQ PRO
Concrete vibrator SQ28 PRO
SQ28 PRO

Concrete vibrator SQ28 PRO

Drives out air for dense, void-free pours.

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SIMAQ PRO
Backpack concrete vibrator SQMG28 PRO
SQMG28

Backpack concrete vibrator SQMG28 PRO

Drives out air for dense, void-free pours.

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Concrete vibrator SQVEH40
SQVEH40

Concrete vibrator SQVEH40

Drives out air for dense, void-free pours.

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Electric mini concrete vibrator
SQRVP1.5

Electric mini concrete vibrator

Handheld electric vibrator with flexible shaft, for columns and small pours.

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Before you buy, learn

Guides for this job

Guide6 min

Why does concrete honeycomb, and how do you vibrate to prevent it?

Honeycombs are trapped air and poorly consolidated mix. Why they appear, the vibrating technique that prevents them (vertical, 5–15 s, overlapping points) and which SIMAQ vibrator fits each element.

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Guide7 min

Vibrating screed or poker vibrator? Which one for each pour

They don't compete: one removes air from inside, the other levels the surface. When to use each, when to use both, and which SIMAQ model fits each case.

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Guide6 min

Which concrete vibrator should you buy: electric, gas or backpack?

How to choose a concrete vibrator by power source, head size and mobility. Four SIMAQ models, what each is for and the mistakes that leave honeycombs.

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SIMAQ School · Free

Concrete mix

5-minute interactive lesson with a quiz and certificate.

Take the lesson
Where and how to insert the immersion vibratorTwo views. Plan view of a slab: the insertion points form an even grid of 3 rows by 6 columns. Around each point, a circle marks the head's action radius, R. Points are spaced about 1.5 times R, so the circles overlap and no concrete is left unvibrated. Section view: the vibrator goes in vertically and fast through the new layer, and the tip reaches into the layer below to knit both layers. It is held 5 to 15 seconds per point, until paste rises, and pulled out slowly so the hole closes by itself.Plan viewR≈ 1.5 × R between pointsR = the head's action radius.Circles overlap: no concrete isleft unvibrated.Section viewNew layerLayer belowInfastOutslowly5–15 s per pointThe tip reaches into the layer belowto knit both layers together.
Points on a grid at ~1.5× the action radius, so the circles overlap. In fast, out slow.

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Job: Vibrate concrete

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FAQ

What people ask before buying

How long do you vibrate concrete at each spot?

5 to 15 seconds. Stop when bubbles stop rising and the surface sheens. Over-vibrating separates the mix: the stone sinks and the water rises.

How far apart should you insert the vibrator?

The area each insertion vibrates must overlap the previous one. In practice, every 40–50 cm, in a grid, without skipping spots.

Gas, backpack or electric vibrator?

No power and you're pouring slabs or big volumes → the gas SQ28 PRO (Honda GX160). Moving across scaffolds and columns → the SQMG28 backpack (Honda GX35, 3 m hose). Working indoors with power → the SQVEH40 electric or the 110 V SQRVP1.5 mini vibrator.

Can you use the vibrator to move concrete along?

No, it's the most common mistake. Pushing concrete sideways with the poker separates the mix and leaves paste-only spots. Move the concrete with a shovel and vibrate it in place.

What happens if I don't vibrate the concrete?

Air stays trapped and you get honeycombs, especially next to the rebar and in column corners. That lowers strength and leaves the steel exposed.

Other jobs

Compact soil and asphaltMix concrete on sitePour and finish slabsCut concrete and asphaltBreak with a hydraulic hammerLight the night shiftDewater and pump floodsWork at heightMove and stack loadsSign off the work zone

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