If you need to pump concrete onto your construction site, then you'll either use a boom or line pump. Boom pumps are usually truck-mounted. They use an articulated crane arm to deliver concrete. On the other hand, line pumps deliver concrete through a hose system that can work on the ground or at height.
How can you work out which pump to use?
How Much Concrete Will You Pump?
The amount of concrete you need to pour affects the type of pump you use. You want a unit that can meet your needs as closely as possible without under or overdelivering.
Typically, line pumps work better on smaller volume jobs. These models do pump more slowly than boom alternatives; however, this slower flow won't be an issue on small jobs. But if you need to pump a lot of concrete quickly, then a boom pump is a better bet. These pumps are faster and can deliver higher volumes of concrete.
Bear in mind that your choice of pump will affect your costs. There's no point using a more expensive boom pump for a smaller job that a line pump can handle. However, trying to save money by using a line pump on bigger jobs could increase your costs. It'll take longer to pour your concrete, and you might fall behind schedule.
Where Are Your Pouring Points?
Your construction site, its layout and its accessibility can affect your choice of concrete pump. Before you can start pouring, you need to get a pump in the right place.
This can be difficult on some sites. Smaller sites might not have enough access space to allow a truck-mounted pump to get close enough to the pouring site. In this case, you might have to use a line pump. You can build a system of hoses to get around obstructions or over long distances if access is a problem.
However, if you need to pump from a height, say if you are building a high-rise property, then line pumping becomes less useful. While you can get hoses up to a certain height, they might not go high enough to cover all your concreting needs.
Here, a boom pump is a better option. The boom arm can stretch a lot higher than hoses can reach. You can pump more effectively without a loss of pressure, even on tall structures.
For more advice, contact commercial concrete pumping professionals. They can take a look at your site and your pumping needs and recommend the best solution for the job.
Share14 March 2022
Pouring concrete isn't necessarily as straightforward as it looks. Depending on the land, you have to make multiple adjustments ranging from laying a layer of gravel to putting in moisture barriers. Then, depending on the size of the concrete pad, you may need to add steel reinforcements. After the concrete has dried and cured, you may decide to add sealants, do an acid wash or play with other finishes. Then, of course, there are differences between pouring concrete inside or outside. In this blog, I hope to cover all those issues and more. If you're looking for tips and ideas, take a look at these posts. Whether you plan to hire a concrete contractor or do the work yourself, it can help to know this information.
