E-cat kit introduction example [Housing foundation work_Tochigi Prefecture Kurisaki Construction]
Kurisaki Construction conducts foundation work for buildings such as houses mainly in Tochigi Prefecture. We installed an E-cat kit for transporting construction materials used in foundation work.
Before the interview, I was shown the actual work site, and I was surprised at the weight of the fresh concrete being transported, and I was reminded that construction sites involve a lot of hard work.
This time, we asked Mr. Kurisaki, who operates the site as the sole supervisor, about the usage status of the E-cat kit.
-First of all, please tell us about your company's business.
A construction company that undertakes many basic construction projects such as housing. We are currently working on the foundation, which is literally the connection between the ground and the building. This is an important step in building construction because if a firm foundation is not built during foundation work, the building built on top of it will be unstable.
-What were the on-site issues you faced before introducing Ecat?
The initial stage of work that you saw this time is to transport the ready-mixed concrete that will serve as the foundation from a mixer truck, pour it onto the site, level the surface, and use special equipment to harden it over time. .
Normally, this work would be done by two to three people, but if there are no workers available, all the work may be done by one person, and transporting ready-mixed concrete is quite hard work. It's especially hard in the summer. I was wondering if it would be easier somehow.
I think the shortage of workers is an issue in the construction industry as a whole when it comes to transporting heavy objects. The population is decreasing, and I feel like I'm going to collapse when I work alone in the summer.
-Did your company do anything about transporting heavy objects?
This has been my method for a long time, so I've never felt particularly challenged or tried to do anything to save on labor, other than just keeping the air pressure in my tires as high as possible to ensure smooth transportation.
However, I have always thought that it would be easier to do the work itself, as it became more and more tiring every year.
I often ask friends who work in different fields to help me with the work on site, and I feel sorry for having someone outside my field do the heavy lifting.
I was also interested in electric unicycles made by other companies, but they were expensive and not something I could easily buy, so I hadn't really considered purchasing one.
- How did you learn about Ecat-kit and what made you decide to install it?
It all started about a year ago when I saw an actual machine at an exhibition called Sekiguchi Hardware.
Before that, I had actually looked at the product information on Monotaro's website, and I was wondering if such a useful product existed and wanted to buy it, but to be honest, I was hesitant to purchase it due to the price. By the way.
Unless you are a big company, I think the price is quite courageous.
However, when I held the actual product in my hands, I found that its performance was very high, and I was convinced that my work would be much easier if I had it. I decided to purchase it because the agent who was in charge of E-cat at the exhibition treated me well.
-Did you have any concerns or problems before implementing it?
Due to the nature of working with fresh concrete, the wheels often get quite dirty, so I was concerned about how well they would withstand washing with water.
When I actually use it, I have to be a little careful not to get the battery wet, but as long as I lightly rinse the wheel with water, I can use it without any problems.
-What are the most common situations in which it is used?
At our site, we mostly transport ready-mixed concrete for foundation construction.
Also, I sometimes work on finished houses, such as at renovation sites, and there are actually scenes where I use a unicycle inside the house.
In situations where the interior must not be soiled, if you press manually, you may end up spilling the fresh concrete on steps, but by pushing smoothly with electric, you can apply extra force. I don't have to worry about that anymore.
-What do you think about the difficulty of installation and support for troubleshooting?
I had an agency do the installation for me, and I haven't had any major problems so far. I think it would be nice if a spare was included as standard since the throttle mounting part is a bit prone to breaking.
-What kind of changes did you see in the workplace after introducing it?
In any case, the transportation work has become much easier.
I asked the members I have today to use it for the first time, and it was very well received.
If I have to have someone else come, I have them use a unicycle equipped with an E-cat kit, and I often use a manual unicycle, so I would like to have another one in case the number of workers increases. is not it.
(At the interview site, we received comments from people using the E-cat kit for the first time: ``This is so easy!'' and ``Once you get used to it, you won't be able to go back to using it manually.'')
-On the other hand, do you have any requests, points that you find difficult to use, points for improvement, or points you would like to see?
Depending on the site, it may be difficult to proceed on soft ground, so I wish the tires were one size thicker.
-What part of the reduction in work costs do you see numerically?
Approximately 70kg of ready-mixed concrete is transported per 1m plot at a time, making approximately 50 to 60 round trips.
Since only one E-cat is installed, the total working time does not change that much, but the fatigue level is 1/2 that of manual work, so I have to take a break in between. Things have become less common. You may be able to finish your work sooner.
-What would you like to use the more efficient time and costs for?
I want to finish the work smoothly and quickly and go home early. lol
It also reduces fatigue and is helpful.
-What kind of workplace do you think it would fit in after actually using it?
It's perfect for the foundation construction site where I work, but I think it would also be suitable for external construction sites around houses.
There are many sites with uneven scaffolding, and there are many scenes where I use a unicycle to carry gravel and stones, and I often move around the premises of a house, so I think it would be convenient to have this.
-How do you want to use it in the future?
Now that it's easier to transport, I want to improve work efficiency and get the job done faster.
In that respect, E-cat kit's current functionality is more than sufficient.
We are very happy to hear your feedback.
Thank you, Kurisaki Construction, for taking the time out of your busy schedule!
By actually listening to the voices of people on the ground, I realized that I was able to contribute to solving problems in the transportation of heavy objects. We will also strive to update our products and expand our sales channels so that we can deliver them to a variety of sites.