Everything you need to know about Trelawny Long Reach Scalers
When it comes to industrial surface preparation, having the right tools can make all the difference – especially when it comes to hard-to-reach areas. Trelawny Long Reach Scalers are ergonomic tools supplied in a range of sizes for chipping, scraping and scaling applications. They’re an essential solution for demanding environments where precision and operator comfort are important.
Designed to tackle tough coatings, rust, corrosion and stubborn material build-up, long reach scalers are widely used across multiple industries. They’re particularly valuable in shipbuilding and marine maintenance, oil and gas facilities, construction and infrastructure refurbishment, power generation plants and heavy manufacturing, where large surfaces and confined spaces often require efficient and safe scaling equipment.
In this blog, we’ll explore how long reach scalers work, their advantages, key technical features and answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
How do long reach scalers work?
Long reach scalers are pneumatic, percussive tools that use a hammer action to chip, scrape and remove unwanted material from surfaces such as concrete, steel and wood – often for cleaning or surface preparation.
Benefits of long reach scalers
Long reach scalers come in lots of sizes and have different attachments, making them versatile for many industries – here’s a closer look at their many benefits.
Multiple long reach scaler lengths
Long reach scalers are available in multiple sizes allowing operators to access work sites without overreaching and giving options for use on floors, walls and in areas inaccessible with a typical hand-held power tool.
- Available in 2, 4, 5 and 6ft lengths
- Perfect length to suit operator and application reducing back strain and potential injury – saving working on hands and knees, reaching or having to work on platforms to reach
Low air consumption
Long reach scalers require only 4.5 cfm making them highly versatile and portable.
- Run more tools from one compressor
- Increase productivity
- Use a smaller compressor (suitable for use with “plug in” compressors on domestic supplies)
- Save money
- Increased efficiency
Long reach scaler ‘lite’ lightweight aluminium
The ‘lite’ long reach scaler is made from lightweight aluminium and is designed for operators working in inaccessible areas or on vertical and overhead surfaces.
- Aluminium construction makes the tool 35% lighter than the equivalent steel tool
- Perfect for applications where operators need to ‘reach’ on vertical surfaces
- Uses same attachments as all long reach tools
- Reduced effort and strain on operator working above floor level
Simple design and construction
Proven in all conditions, Trelawny’s 60 years’ experience manufacturing tools for use in harsh marine and construction environments produces a tool that will exceed expectations.
- Less to go wrong
- Easy to repair
- Fully rebuildable
- Not a throwaway tool
- Spares easily available
- No special tools required
Three tools in one
Long reach scalers can be fitted with attachments for chipping/demolition, scraping and de-scaling.
- Covers a wide range of applications
- Sell into a wide range of industries, including marine, industrial, construction and flooring
- Non-spark attachments for potentially explosive environments
Long reach scaler specialist trades and project applications
Long reach scalers are also widely used by contractors and organisations working in demanding maintenance and refurbishment environments, including:
- Flooring and renovation specialists
- Oil, gas and petrochemical refineries
- Utilities and infrastructure maintenance contractors
- Ship owners, shipbuilders, navies and repair yards
- Industrial painting and surface preparation contractors
- Lead and asbestos abatement professionals
- Bridge, railway and concrete repair crews
- Demolition and environmental contractors
- Food and beverage processing facilities
These industries rely on long reach scalers for safe, efficient removal of coatings, corrosion and surface build-up in challenging conditions.
Long reach scaler industry and facility applications
Long reach scalers are suited to a wide range of industrial environments, making them a popular choice for sectors such as:
- Equipment rental companies
- Power plants and generating stations
- Chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities
- Foundries and primary metal manufacturers
- Steel erectors and fabrication workshops
- Cement, concrete block and precast production plants
- Natural stone and construction material factories
- Pulp and paper mills
- Wastewater treatment plants
Their versatility makes them ideal wherever heavy-duty surface preparation and efficient material removal is required.
Long reach scalers: frequently asked questions
To finish everything you need to know about long reach scalers, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions to help you choose the right tool and setup for your application.
- Q: Which is best for floor, the steel model or lightweight?
A: For floors, we recommend the heavier steel model, the ‘Lite’ option is best for work at height above waist level. - Q: What are the best attachments for ceramic tiles?
A: Steel chisels are available in 1” to 4” widths for removing ceramic tiles. - Q: What are the best attachments for removing lino, vinyl and adhesives?
A: Scraper assemblies are available in 4.8” and 12” widths for removing soft floor coverings, adhesives, rubber deposits and scraping loose materials - Q: Why is a long reach scaler better than an electric breaker?
A: The multiple lengths available make it perfectly suited for working without reaching or bending over, the extremely low air consumption means it can be used with a small portable compressor. Simple design, minimal moving and wearing parts make it stronger and more reliable than electric power tools. - Q: What spares should I get?
A: Service kits include all the key wear parts, and we recommend one with each tool. - Q: What accessories should I get?
A: As standard, the tool is supplied with either a “chisel attachment” without a blade, users can specify from a wide range of chisels and scraper blades to suit applications, or with a ‘needle attachment’ complete with needles - Q: What air pressure do the long reach scalers run at?
A: All long reach scalers are designed to run at 90psi, this is very important as damage can be caused by both low and high pressure. - Q: What compressor do I need for my long reach scaler?
A: The chosen compressor must be able to supply enough air to run the tool and any other equipment being used. Air consumption is measured in either cfm (cubic feet per minute), lps (litres per second) or lpm (litres per minute). You must ensure that the compressors output is rated as FAD (free air delivery) and it should supply enough air for the tool at 90psi. - Q: Do long reach scalers need lubrication?
A: Long reach scalers should always be lubricated – we recommend using an in-line oiler if the tool is being continuously used for periods of time in site conditions. - Q: Do long reach scalers need any specialist maintenance or tools?
A: No, long reach scalers can be easily disassembled with minimal tools, Trelawny training videos and web-based training can assist.
More about Trelawny
For expert assistance when selecting your Trelawny Long Reach Scaler, get in touch – we’re here to help you with tools, spares and accessories.
