What are Concrete Pumps Used For?

These days, it is a very common sight to see concrete pumps at any construction site. Be it large-scale commercial projects or medium-sized construction sites, the cutting-edge concrete pumping machines are equally effective and economical for both. Thus, in past few years, concrete pumps have taken over all other methods of transferring liquid concrete at the construction sites.

Definition of a concrete pump

Previously, cranes were used to lift large buckets full of concrete up to where it was needed at the large construction sites. The major challenge was that the crane was able to lift only one bucket at a time, normally holding around two cubic yards of concrete only. So, the need was felt for a machine which pumped concrete effectively. Thus, came into existence concrete pumps.

Simply put, a concrete pump is used in transferring/conveying liquid mixed concrete from the containers to where it needs to be filled at the construction site and thus, it is an important part of any construction project.

There are two basic types of concrete pumps. One is known as a Boom or Truck-mounted Pump which is bigger in size and used on larger sites and for huge road and highway projects. It is usually mounted on a truck or a semi-trailer and possesses an automatic robotic arm to accurately place the concrete as required. The other one is called a Trailer, Line or Stationary Pump which is used for smaller jobs like preparing ground slabs or sidewalks. It uses flexible or steel hoses attached to the outlet of the pump. These hoses are linked together and lead to wherever the concrete needs to be placed.

Uses of a concrete pump

1. This equipment is the best option for placing concrete at the construction site at a faster rate.

2. Usage of concrete pumps leads to less requirement of water as compared to other concrete pouring techniques. Thus, when the concrete is placed, it won’t shrink and crack at all and it will maintain its strength.

3. For complex locations like high-rise buildings or insulated concrete form walls, concrete pumps are used to increase pouring accuracy.

Advantages offered by concrete pumps

Here is the list of advantages for concrete pumps...

1. For any kind of construction project, speed matters a lot. With concrete pumps, concrete pouring becomes simpler and faster. This would mean no project delays.

2. Concrete pumps ensure that the concrete is placed easily at inaccessible sites. So, whether you want to pour concrete on top of a high rise building or in a foundation slab, concrete pumps can deliver concrete mix to almost any area without leaving spills and lumps on the way.

3. This equipment reduces the need for labour as less handling is required since concrete can be placed directly at the desired location. This can save man power, energy and over-head costs.

4. Using concrete pump is more convenient than the old mix and pour methods as the boom arms can actually reach over the top of structures to place the concrete in locations where other types of equipment can’t reach.

5. Concrete pumps promise higher accuracy and quality concrete placement. Accurate concrete pumping effectively results in little or zero material wastage.

6. Last but not the least, with concrete pumps, concrete placing is not at all affected by weather conditions.

In a nutshell

To sum up, usage of concrete pumps lead to many advantages at any construction site, be it big or small. Thus, there is no denying of the fact that concrete pumps are one of the most efficient and cost-effective equipment for concrete placement that we have in present times. Hence, their future looks very bright and promising.