Construction is hard work. Luckily, we have humans who think outside the box to ease the strain and simplify the process. Starting with the invention of Ready Mix Concrete in the early 1900s and Stephen Stepanian’s self-discharging transit mixer in 1916, the concrete game has endured a steady stream of innovation as the demand for this valuable building material increased. Before both inventions, workers had to mix concrete on-site which accounted for high labor and material costs.
Even with the invention of the Ready Mix Concrete transit trucks delivering concrete ready to use on the job site, there was still an issue to solve. Workers often used wheelbarrows or buckets to transport the concrete from the trucks to their forms, which could be 10 feet away or hundreds of feet away. In 1927, thanks to German engineers Max Giese and Fritz Hull, the days of wheeling concrete would soon be over. The duo invented the first concrete pump system that used pipes to move concrete to the job site. According to DY Concrete Pumps Inc., their invention spawned several pump designs culminating with the twin-cylinder hydraulic concrete pump created by Friedrich Wilhelm Schwing in 1957.
In a world without a shortage of demand for development, concrete pumps are essential equipment in the construction industry. Their ability to transfer Ready Mix Concrete from the mixing truck to the construction site helps improve efficiency, speed, and precision, making them invaluable in various projects. Several types of concrete pumps are available, each designed for specific uses, depending on the project’s requirements. Here’s a look at the different types of concrete pumps and their uses.
Boom Concrete Pumps
Boom pumps are one of the most common and versatile types of concrete pumps. They consist of a truck-mounted pump with an extendable arm or “boom” that can reach over and around obstacles to deliver concrete precisely where needed. The boom’s range can vary, with some extending over 100 feet, making them ideal for high-rise buildings, large-scale industrial projects, and projects where the pour site is challenging to access.
Applications of Boom Pumps
High-Rise Buildings: Boom pumps are crucial for pouring concrete at great heights, such as in skyscrapers or multi-story buildings.
Large Foundations: For large foundations that require a significant amount of concrete, the boom pump’s reach and power can distribute the mix quickly and evenly.
Restricted Access Areas: When construction sites are hard to reach or have obstacles, boom pumps are the go-to choice.
Line Pumps
Line pumps, also known as trailer-mounted pumps, are mounted on a trailer and connected to flexible hoses or steel pipelines. These hoses can be extended as needed to deliver concrete to hard-to-reach areas. Line pumps are more portable than boom pumps and are often used for smaller-scale projects or those that require more precise placement.
Applications of Line Concrete Pumps
Small to Medium-Sized Projects: Line pumps are ideal for residential projects, such as driveways, sidewalks, and pool decks, where a boom pump might be excessive.
Precise Concrete Placement: Because of their flexible hoses, line pumps can be used to pour concrete in tight spaces or complex forms where precision is essential.
Tunneling and Underground Construction: In projects like tunneling, where concrete needs to be pumped into confined spaces, line pumps offer the necessary flexibility and control.
Stationary Concrete Pumps
Stationary, or static, concrete pumps are mounted on a trailer or skid. They require separate pipelines to be manually connected from the pump to the pour site. These pumps are known for their high PSI and are often used in large infrastructure projects when a large volume of concrete is needed over long distances.
Applications of Stationary Concrete Pumps
Dams and Bridges: Stationary pumps are ideal for large-scale infrastructure projects, such as dams, bridges, and tunnels, where consistent, high-volume concrete delivery is required.
Long-Distance Concrete Delivery: With the ability to push concrete through long pipelines, stationary pumps are used in projects where the concrete needs to travel a considerable distance from the pump to the pour site.
Industrial Projects: These pumps are suitable for industrial projects where large quantities of concrete need to be poured in a single location over time.
Specialized Pumps
In addition to the standard types, specialized concrete pumps are designed for specific tasks. For example, skid steer concrete pumps are compact and can be attached to skid steer loaders, allowing easy transport and use in confined areas. Rail-mounted pumps are used in tunnel construction, moving along tracks to deliver concrete efficiently.
Applications of Specialized Concrete Pumps
Confined Space Construction: Specialized pumps like the skid steer pump are perfect for projects in tight spaces, such as inside buildings or underground.
Tunnel and Mining Operations: Rail-mounted pumps are ideal for underground construction, where the mobility and precision of the pump are crucial.
Ready For Ready Mix? Contact Us Today!
Don’t let the scope of your project hinder your productivity. Ready Mix Concrete is designed specifically for your project and the various concrete pumps available are able to help you efficiently get the job done. Now, it’s time to talk about your next project. Ready Mix Concrete is measured in volume, and as the leading Ready Mix Concrete supplier in Northern Texas, we have taken the guesswork out of it. Using our concrete calculator, you can determine how much concrete you need for your project.
AMCorp is your trusted Ready Mix Concrete supplier east of Dallas, TX. Contact AMCorp today to discuss your project or request a quote.