Concrete Pumps – Types and Selection

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Concrete pumps are tools used to convey liquid concrete from the source of concrete to the place of casting. The basic principle, the types, and selection of concrete pumps based on work are explained briefly in this article.

Principle of Concrete Pump

A basic concrete pump was initially developed as a two-cylinder hydraulic pump. This works by the principle of one piston drawing the concrete from the hopper (concrete source) and the other piston pushing it into the discharge outlet pipe. The decision of which cylinder has to be opened to the hopper and which must be opened to the discharge pipe is controlled by means of a valve.With future developments, variations in this design were bought to facilitate high-pressure pumping when concrete have to pump at different heights and lengths. This development got great demand in the fast construction of high-rise buildings.

Types of Concrete Pumps

Based on the pumping pressure, ease of working and developing technologies different concrete pumps have been developed. The main classification of concrete pumps are:

• Line Concrete Pumps
• Boom Concrete Pumps

1. Boom Concrete Pumps

Boom concrete pumps stay at one particular position for the entire time of concrete pouring on a construction project. Hence these are stationary concrete pumps. They have a larger dimension which is placed on the ground. These have crane or boom arm attached to it in different lengths.

The concrete pumping to different heights like in the construction of high-rise building can be performed by boom concrete pumps. Boom concrete pumps allow the pipeline to reach along, upwards and below. Hence tight spots can be cast by these pumps. Obstacles during the concrete casting path can be easily overcome by such pumps.

2. Line Concrete Pumps

Line concrete pumps are compact units that are mainly used for small construction projects. The arrangement has a line pump attached to the back of the truck or the trailer. Hence the arrangement is also called as trailer mounted concrete pump or truck mounted concrete pump.

How to Choose a Concrete Pump?

The concrete pump is selected based on the requirements of the construction project. A good and right choice of concrete pump is decides based on the following parameters:

• Manufacturer of the Concrete Pump
• The purpose of Concrete Pump
• The complexity of Construction projects.html in terms of casting
• Price and economic factors