Abstract: A mortar applying device (10) includes a motor (12) and hopper (14) mounted on a wheeled (18 and 50) frame (32). The wheels (18) can be driven at variable speeds using the throttle of the engine (12) to accommodate faster and slower rates of block laying. At the forward end of the frame (32) is an arm (34) and wheel (36) assembly which senses the end of the wall under construction and which activates motor cut off switch (44). The hopper (14) is lined with a low coefficient of friction, low adhesion material (70) to prevent mortar from clinging inside the hopper (14). The discharge element (66) located under the open bottom (64) of the hopper (14) includes an angled guide (72) which directs mortar out two exit ports (74 and 76). The height of the ribbons of mortar exiting under gates (80 and 82) is controllable and is smoothed over by a bevelled edge (88).