Paving Tools

Probst paving tools — equipment for laying and moving block paving

Paving tools (also called block-paving equipment) are the devices and accessories used to lay, transport, cut and finish block paving, patio slabs, concrete blocks and kerbs — from hand mallets, tongs and pry bars to powered vacuum grabs, paver layers and block splitters. Their shared goal is to speed up the work and cut manual labour: a single 8 cm block weighs 3–4 kg, and one square metre of that surface is 160–200 kg to carry and tap into place.

The NORWIT.PL range is dominated by Probst — a German professional-class manufacturer. The full line-up is on the Probst paving tools page. It is complemented by selected Altrad Belle items (mechanical grabs, block splitters, hand tools) and IPC pressure washers. This is equipment for firms and contractors, not a cheap DIY-store substitute — the difference shows in lifting capacity and output.

Types of paving tools — from grabs to block splitters

We divide the section into groups matched to the stage of the job, from preparing the base to caring for the finished surface. The table below maps each tool type to its use and brands; each group has its own subcategory page.

A separate group covers jointing devices such as the Probst EASYFILL, which fill the joints once the blocks are down.

Vacuum grab or mechanical grab for block paving

A grab for block paving is the most sought-after paving tool, as it removes manual lifting. A vacuum grab lifts an element by suction on its smooth, sealed face with a vacuum pump — ideal for large formats and patio slabs. A mechanical grab clamps the sides with jaws, so it also moves small blocks, kerbs and porous materials that suction cannot hold.

A hydraulic grab for block paving mounted on an excavator or mini excavator is powered from the machine's hydraulic system and lays whole courses at once, with lifting capacity in the hundreds of kilograms; for light work a hand-held unit with a battery pump is enough.

Block splitter vs petrol cut-off saw

A block splitter splits (separates) paving blocks and slabs under blade pressure, without a cutting disc, and works dry — no dust, slurry, power, water or fuel. Manual models split blocks up to about 120 mm thick with a cutting length of 300–500 mm, while hydraulic-cylinder versions handle tougher elements.

The two tools complement each other: a block splitter handles most straight divisions on site, while the cut-off saw is kept for mitres and curves. The splitter wins on speed and cleanliness — no silica dust is a real benefit for the crew's health.

How to choose paving tools for the scale of the job

Choosing the equipment starts with the weight and format of the material and the area laid per day. For small 6–8 cm blocks and short driveways, hand tools plus screeding bars for a 3–5 cm bedding layer are enough. Once slabs exceed 30–40 kg and areas grow large, grabs and paver layers come in — a vacuum grab is sized by lifting capacity, from around 40 kg hand-held to 300–900 kg on an excavator, always with a margin above the heaviest element.

Mechanising the work lifts output sharply: a paver layer lets a smaller crew cover several hundred m² a day against 20–40 m² by hand. The finished surface is then cleaned with equipment for cleaning block paving, using IPC high-pressure washers.

Frequently asked questions about paving tools

Why buy paving tools at NORWIT.PL

The core of the range is Probst paving tools — a premium-class brand, backed by Altrad Belle and IPC washers, with no DIY-store substitutes. In one place you cover the whole paving process: screeding bars for the bedding layer, vacuum grabs and mechanical grabs for transport, paver layers for large-area laying, block splitters for trimming, plus equipment for cleaning block paving and hand mallets, tongs and pry bars. We help match grab type and lifting capacity to your material and machine, and ship online across the whole country.