Everything you need to know about Acrow Props

An Acrow prop is a telescopic tubular steel piece of construction equipment. It is used as a temporary support. Acrow props are known by several names including shore prop, acro prop, acro jack and post shores.

Acrow props have become a staple in construction projects, whether large-scale endeavors or simple DIY tasks. But the fascinating story of their invention and popularity unveils an intriguing journey:
Meet William Alphonse de Vigier, the brilliant mind behind Acrow props, born on January 22, 1912, in Solothurn, Switzerland. In 1935, with a mere £50 to his name, he arrived in London and established a small workshop beneath Bow arches in the bustling East End. Here, he set about creating steel props that could be easily adjusted in length using a robust screw thread.
In the beginning, it wasn’t smooth sailing for William. Nearly three months passed before he managed to attract clients. Fortunately, a few construction companies, including the esteemed firm of Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons, recognized the potential in William’s product and started purchasing his adjustable props.
Interestingly, the name “Acrow prop” has its roots in William’s collaboration with a solicitor named Mr. Arthut Crowe, who assisted in setting up his company. To make it easily pronounceable and appear near the beginning of any alphabetical listing, de Vigier cleverly adapted the name to honor his helpful associate. And so, “Acrow prop” seamlessly integrated into the building and construction industry’s lexicon, serving a multitude of temporary structural needs.
Nowadays, the usage of Acrow props has soared, with thousands of them being deployed daily across all New Zealand. This versatile construction prop continues to find favor in the practices of countless companies and individuals worldwide.

In the construction industry, Acrow props hold immense importance as they serve as vital components, offering crucial temporary support throughout the construction phase. Their adjustable nature and effortless installation make them the perfect fit for a wide array of construction projects:
Wall removal or interior wall renovation
Adding a window, doorway, or archway to a wall
Installing reinforced beams and concrete sections for slabs and walls
Bracing formwork for stairs, columns, steel beams and walls

The design of Acrow props offers versatility, typically comprising the following components:
Two lengths of telescopic steel tubing, featuring high strength. One tube possesses a welded top-plate, while the other has a welded base-plate.
A pin mechanism acts as a locking system, securing the tubes in place when the desired length is achieved.
To adjust the length, simply remove the locking pin, allowing for significant alterations. After attaining the desired length, replace the pin to secure the tubes once more. For more precise adjustments, an external thread is wrapped around the tubes, enabling finer tuning.

Acrow props are available in five primary sizes, numbered 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, with lower numbers indicating higher weight-bearing capacity. Each Acrow prop size has a different opening range: the smaller the size number, the shorter the opening range.
Choosing the right size depends on a combination of factors:
How high is the structure that you need to prop
How heavy is the structure
If you will cycle that prop to other structures located higher or lowers and with a different weight
Every Acrow prop system must come with a load capacity chart where you can easily see the capacity of the prop at a certain prop opening. Different Acrow prop sizes may cover the same height, but different capacity. Choose the right prop based on the previous factors. Remarkably, the sizes are designed to be backward compatible, meaning that a Size 1 Acrow prop can handle tasks typically managed by sizes 2, 3, or 4, but at a shorter height.
The base and tube of an Acrow prop are highly versatile, seamlessly compatible with other support types such as LVL bearers, U-Heads to support the bearers, strongboy brackets, and bracing couplers. Furthermore, Acrow props boast telescopic adjustability, rendering them an ideal choice for supporting walls and structures of varying heights.
Our Acrow prop system covers the widest opening range in the NZ market, from 450mm to 4,950mm, ideal for any requirement. Our prop system is widely recognized for being the most compatible to other components and formwork systems.

It is not encouraged from us to use Acrow props for horizontal or diagonal loads. For horizontal and diagonal support please look for our Mini, Standard and Jumbo Tilt props. Although in our range of components that complement our Acrow prop system we have a swivel head to support vertical or diagonal structures. Please contact us for more information

The load capacity of an acrow prop depends on a number of factors:
That the pin that holds both props together is not damaged
The props must be straight,a voiding using bent props
The prop end plates must be sitting correctly on the support structure, making sure they are flat and perpendicular to the prop tubes
The props must be braced together between them, to avoid sliding or overturning.

If all these factors are in place, all our props come with a load bearing capacity depending on the length of the prop. Please see our propping chart to find out about the maximum loading capacity of our props.