Types of Concrete Pumps | Advantages and Disadvantages of Concrete Pumps

Concrete pump is a concreting equipment used in the construction industry to transport the concrete at mixing site, provided the concrete is workable.

Concrete pump uses hydraulic principles to facilitate concrete transportation with the help of valve system.

Types of Concrete Pumps

1. Line pumps/ Stationary pumps/ Trailer pumps
2. Boom pumps
3. Piston pumps
4. Pneumatic pumps

Piston Pumps for Concrete

Piston pump comes under the positive displacement pump category. It can even work under high pressure.

A piston pump can pump a large volume of concrete into beams, columns, ties, etc.

Pneumatic Pumps for Concrete

As the name suggests, pneumatic pumps pump the concrete with the help of compressed air by using a flexible pipe.

Pneumatic pumps are also reciprocating positive displacement pumps like piston pumps.

Truck Mounted Concrete Pumps (Line Pumps)

Truck mounted concrete pumps are attached to the back of the trailer or a truck. Hence, they are named as truck-mounted concrete pumps or trailer mounted concrete pumps.

For the placing of concrete, hose is provided in the pump. If the requirement demands, more hoses can be joined. The concrete is placed with the help of this hose which is held by the worker at the site during the placing of concrete.

Boom Pumps

Boom pumps, as suggested from its name, contains boom. Now, a boom is a long, robotic arm having flexibility. This boom arm extends like a crane. When not in use, the arm folds at the back of the truck.

Use: in the construction of roads, highways, high rise buildings.

Concrete Pumps Working

How concrete pumps work? The basic understanding of the working of piton-type concrete pump is given below:

Suction Stroke:

The first action in pumping is the suction stroke. At this time, piston moves backwards drawing the concrete into the cylinder.

The outlet valve remains closed during this time.

Forward Stroke:

In the forward stroke, the inlet valve remains closed.

The outlet valve opens allowing the concrete to enter the delivery pipe.

Transportation of Concrete by Pumps

Pipeline of appropriate diameter and sufficient wall thickness is used for the transportation of concrete by pumps.

In general, a pipeline of 25 mm diameter is used for pumping. Different diameters of pipe are taken for different length of pipe and different output.

Transport of concrete by pump is done for a distance of 300 m horizontally and 60 m vertically.

Advantages of Concrete Pumps

• Speed of the concreting process can be improved with the help of concrete pumps.
• Higher strength of concrete can be retained while using concrete pumps.
• Concrete pump can be employed anywhere.
• Need of water is reduced when concrete pumps are used.
• Labour cost can be reduced if concrete pumps are employed.
• The distance and height of concreting can be increased when concrete is transported by pumps.
• As concrete is poured directly at the location, the wastage is reduced.
• Quality of concrete is maintained while using concrete pumps.

Disadvantages of Concrete Pumps

• Blockage may occur in the pipelines used for transporting concrete when pumps are used.
• Rich mortar mix is required.
• After the pump is used, the cleaning of equipment is a tedious process.
• It has to be ensured that the pipes do not have many bends.
• If proper care is not taken, the pumped concrete may undergo segregation and bleeding.
• Labour required should be skilled. 

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