A column machine that stands on a deck. The deck includes a rack, a protective cover associated with the rack, and a first and a second rail. The column machine includes a moveable upper device, a drive wheel, an upper carriage connected to the upper device, a lower carriage comprising a first track, a second track, and a protection holder, and a column arranged between the upper carriage and the lower carriage. The drive wheel is arranged in a vertical plane of the column machine and extends parallel relative to a longitudinal direction of the first and second rails. The drive wheel moves along the rack. The first track and the second track cooperate with the first and second rails. The protection holder uncovers the rack in a first area close to the drive wheel so that the remaining areas of the rack remain covered by the protective cover.