One of the first decisions when starting block production is the method: an egg-laying (mobile) block machine or a stationary block machine working with pallets? Both make blocks of the same sizes and come in the same capacity steps; the difference lies in how production works, the space and equipment needed, and the range of products you can make. This guide puts the two methods side by side and explains when each one makes more sense.
How do the two machines work?
Egg-laying (mobile) block machine
An egg-laying machine drops the blocks it makes straight onto a level concrete floor without pallets, then moves forward one step and lays the next row, much like a hen laying eggs. The blocks cure where they were laid and are collected and stacked the next day. The production area is also the curing area.
Stationary (pallet) block machine
A stationary machine works in one place. Each cycle, the products leave the mould on a production pallet; full pallets go from the roller table to the curing yard on a pallet trolley. Once the products have cured, the pallet is emptied and returns to the machine. On robot lines this handling and stacking is automatic.
Comparison table
| Topic | Egg-laying (mobile) | Stationary (pallet) |
|---|---|---|
| Production | The machine moves and lays blocks on the floor | The machine stays put; products leave on pallets |
| Production pallets | Not needed | Needed (enough for the daily output) |
| Handling equipment | Not needed; blocks cure in place | Roller table and pallet trolley (automatic on robot lines) |
| Floor and space | Large, level, smooth concrete slab (production + curing) | Concrete base for the machine + separate curing yard |
| Product range | Solid, 2-hole and 3-hole blocks, curbstones | Blocks, curbstones, hollow floor blocks, paving stones; coloured double-layer pavers on twin-hopper models |
| Weather | Production in the open | Machine and curing area can be under a roof |
| Automation and growth | Semi-automatic, with an operator | From semi-automatic to fully automatic robot lines |
Capacity: same output, different method
İbar Makina's egg-laying and stationary machines come in the same capacity steps. Daily figures are for 200 × 400 × 200 mm blocks:
| Capacity | Egg-laying (mobile) | Stationary (pallet) |
|---|---|---|
| 4,000 blocks a day | MBM4 (5,000 of 150 mm) | BLOCKMASTER 4 (5,000 of 150 mm) |
| 6,000 blocks a day | 6-block egg-laying machine | – |
| 8,000 blocks a day | 8-block egg-laying machine | BLOCKMASTER 8 (10,000 of 150 mm, 16,000 of 100 mm) |
For higher output and paving stones, the stationary CBM series and the fully automatic PRO models take over.
When does an egg-laying machine make sense?
- You have a large, level plot: you can pour a big concrete slab where blocks are laid and cured.
- You will only make blocks (and curbstones): no plans for paving stones or double-layer products.
- You want to avoid investing in pallets and pallet handling: no production pallets or pallet trolley are needed.
- You are producing for a construction site or project: the machine works its way across the production area.
When does a stationary machine make sense?
- You want a product range: paving stones, hollow floor blocks and curbstones alongside blocks, or coloured pavers for your market.
- Your space is limited: the machine sits in a compact area and products go to an orderly curing yard on pallets.
- You want to produce under a roof: steady output regardless of rain and sun.
- You plan to grow: stationary lines can be made fully automatic with a stacking robot. A robot line runs with 7–8 fewer workers on average than the same line without the robot.
What drives the investment?
The cost items differ between the two methods. An egg-laying machine needs no production pallets, roller table or pallet trolley, but it needs a large, smooth concrete slab where the blocks are laid and cured. A stationary machine needs enough production pallets for the daily output plus a roller table and pallet trolley, or a stacking system on robot lines; the curing yard can be more compact because products are stacked neatly on pallets. Both methods need a mixer and a belt conveyor to prepare the concrete. Which one is better overall depends on the size of your plot, the products you will make and your growth plans.
Examples from the field
Two installations of our stationary machines in Africa: BLOCKMASTER 4 in Conakry, Guinea and BLOCKMASTER 8 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. How the egg-laying machine works is explained in detail in our egg-laying block machine article.
Frequently asked questions
Can an egg-laying machine make paving stones?
No. Our egg-laying machines make solid, 2-hole and 3-hole blocks and curbstones. Paving stones and hollow floor blocks need a stationary pallet machine, and coloured double-layer pavers need the twin-hopper CBM series.
How much concrete floor does an egg-laying machine need?
The slab must be large enough for the daily output and the blocks' curing time, and poured level and smooth. We calculate the required area with you based on your production plan.
At the same capacity, which one makes more blocks?
Daily output is the same at each step: 4,000 blocks of 200 mm a day for the 4-block models and 8,000 for the 8-block models. The difference is in the method, the space and the product range.
Are installation and training included?
Yes. For both machine types, installation and operator training are included in the price, and our machines carry a 2-year warranty.
Send us your plot size, the products you want to make and your daily target — message us on WhatsApp and we will assess with you whether an egg-laying or a stationary machine fits better, and send a quote. See all models on our egg-laying block machines and concrete block machines pages.
