How does a truck and stationary concrete pump work: types of units, pros and cons

Concrete pumps are essential to contemporary construction because they make it easier to efficiently place concrete in a variety of structures. Two well-known varieties among the various kinds are the stationary concrete pump and the truck-mounted concrete pump. Every variety has special benefits and works well in various construction situations.

A self-contained apparatus set up on a truck chassis is a truck-mounted concrete pump. It is made up of a movable robotic arm, or boom, that can extend to reach high or challenging places. Concrete is precisely placed as needed by the pump, which draws it into the machine from a hopper and pumps it through the boom and hose. Truck-mounted pumps are very adaptable because of their mobility; they can move through construction sites and deliver concrete straight to the pour site, saving labor and increasing productivity.

Conversely, projects requiring the pumping of concrete over greater distances or to higher elevations are intended for stationary concrete pumps. Stationary pumps are installed at a fixed location on the construction site, as opposed to trucks-mounted pumps. They are appropriate for continuous pouring operations since they usually have larger capacities and higher pumping rates. Large-scale construction projects requiring a continuous supply of concrete, like high-rise buildings or infrastructure projects, frequently use stationary pumps.

Each kind of pump has advantages and disadvantages. Truck-mounted pumps are highly valued for their mobility and capacity to fit into confined spaces, which makes them perfect for jobs requiring frequent relocation or smaller to medium-sized projects. They can save time and labor costs because they are easier to assemble and disassemble than stationary pumps. They might not be as effective for very tall structures, and their reach might be restricted in comparison to stationary pumps.

When a steady, large-volume supply of concrete is required for prolonged periods of time, stationary concrete pumps perform exceptionally well. They are essential for projects requiring a lot of vertical pumping because they can reach higher altitudes and pump large amounts of concrete at high pressures. However, compared to truck-mounted pumps, their fixed location limits their flexibility, and they might take more time and effort to set up and maintain.

In conclusion, the particular needs of the construction project play a major role in determining whether to use a stationary or truck-mounted concrete pump. Which type of pump is better will depend on a number of factors, including the size of the project, the logistics involved, and the conditions of the site. Construction professionals can make informed decisions that optimize efficiency and ensure successful project execution by having a thorough understanding of each type’s capabilities and limitations.

Types of Units	Pros and Cons
A truck-mounted concrete pump	Flexible for various job sites, quicker setup, can reach high-rise buildings; however, limited mobility on-site and higher operational costs.
A stationary concrete pump	More powerful, better for high-volume pours, lower operational costs; but less flexible in terms of mobility and setup time.

Application of concrete pumps in construction

Monolithic high-rise building construction makes extensive use of concrete pumps. Time and material costs are decreased because the units guarantee the delivery of concrete to different heights. For the purpose of building bridges, a concrete pump guarantees a steady supply of concrete mix. It is used to build railroad and water structures. When building port and tunnel connections, a unit for supplying concrete is utilized.

The limited availability of special equipment explains why it isn’t always used in private construction. Mini concrete pumps are advised to make the task easier and expedite the construction process.

Operating principle

You must comprehend the structure of a concrete pump in order to ascertain its working principles. The apparatus includes a loading hopper, supports, an outlet, a lubrication system, wheels, and an outlet. A cooling system, a slide gate, an oil tank, and a lubrication system are also included in the apparatus. The concrete pump is equipped with a toolbox, a chassis, an electrical panel, a pressure gauge, a pumping valve, a hydraulic system, an oil filter, and a towing device. The components of the concrete drainage device are:

• A concrete drainage elbow;
• A flushing device;
• A concrete drainage pipe;
• A concrete drainage lock with a rubber seal.

An engine, which can be either electric or diesel, is the primary component of construction equipment. Adjustable open circuit power supplies the pumping system’s operation.

The concrete pump’s universal design makes stepless hydraulic adjustment possible. Fuel supply can be changed in quantity. Two hydraulic cylinders and a water pump make up the apparatus. The last one establishes a connection between the pistons, causing reciprocating motions. Pistons are moving in different directions during this process.

The loading sector receives the concrete mixture flowing from the outlet openings. Two cylinders that rotate in different directions provide the pumping action. Establishing a connection between the transport and hydraulic cylinders guarantees the mixture’s suction and injection.

Advantages of automatic concrete pumps

The concrete pump is highly advantageous and possesses exceptional technical features.

• Ensuring a continuous laying process. When concreting is stopped, a decrease in the quality of the finished material is observed, since concrete mixtures of different levels of hardening do not adhere well to each other.
• Pipes for the concrete pump ensure that the mixture is supplied to a height. The units provide the ability to move a large volume of mixture in the shortest possible time.
• The operating principle of a concrete pump significantly reduces time and labor costs when delivering the mixture to a construction site.
• It is possible to use the equipment for partial construction of structures.
• Compared to belt conveyors, concrete pipelines are compact.
• The units are easy to install, which speeds up the construction process.
• During the supply of mixtures, water losses are minimized, which has a positive effect on the quality of concrete. This aspect is important when it is necessary to transport the mixture over long distances.

Concrete pumps’ features enable their use in intricate construction projects.

Disadvantages

When making a purchase, one must consider the drawbacks of concrete pumps.

But, with its regular use in construction, it justifies itself. When operating the equipment, it is necessary to install a concrete pipeline. The problem is solved by a system of pipes on a boom.

It is not recommended to use this equipment if spot filling small areas is required, such as during the installation of a prefabricated monolithic structure. Over the course of the installations’ long operation, wear of the pipe and pump mechanism is noted.

Problems that may arise when laying using concrete pumps

Pressure is used in the installation to raise the concrete mixture to a certain level. When equipment is misused, the following issues arise:

• If the speed of laying the mixture increases, then the formation of cavities is observed in the monolith, especially when using a fine mesh for reinforcement. That is why during work you need to ensure that the mixture is supplied evenly.
• If a surface vibrator is used for compaction rather than a deep one, then the mixture must be placed in a small volume. When performing work, it is mandatory to compact each layer.
• During the work, it is recommended to carry out a thorough fixation of the reinforcing frame, since the flow of concrete can violate it.
• After completion of work, it is necessary to rinse the pipes of the concrete pipeline, as well as the pump.
• If the concrete pump is of great performance, then the builders should keep the flexible end when it work.
• In order to avoid the appearance of traffic jams, it is strictly forbidden to make long breaks in work.
• If traffic jams form in the concrete pipeline, then this can lead to damage to the pump mechanisms. At the initial stage of the formation of traffic jams, the pump is reversed. You can disconnect the site and clean the pipes manually.

It is essential to comprehend the operation of stationary and truck-mounted concrete pumps in the field of concrete construction. On building sites, these devices are crucial for delivering concrete to exact locations. Pumps mounted on trucks are portable and easy to set up, making them perfect for projects requiring adaptability. However, for higher volume pours over longer distances, stationary pumps are strong and effective. Every variety has advantages and disadvantages. For example, trucks can be more mobile but have a smaller reach than stationary units, which are more powerful but less versatile. To ensure effective concrete placement, the project’s specific requirements must be taken into consideration when selecting the pump, which must balance variables like reach, mobility, and output capacity.

Types of units

Concrete pumps are categorized into multiple types based on their operational principles. Ejection, membranes, centrifugal force, etc. are used to pass fluid.

The work of the piston system

The most widely used piece of equipment is a piston pump, which is made up of cylinders and pistons. The moving medium is caught and forced out when they move. Because the concrete is kept in specialized bunkers with a 12–15 cubic meter capacity, continuous operation is guaranteed. Stratification of the mixture is prevented by the addition of a second mixing device installed in the bunker.

The connection between the cylinder and the pump receiver is made by means of a valve that opens on the piston’s return stroke, guaranteeing the flow of concrete mixture. The mixture is forced out into the concrete pipeline when the piston makes a forward stroke.

As hydraulic cylinders guarantee the pistons’ motion, the apparatus is frequently referred to as a hydraulic pump. An oil distributor modifies the flow of oil through them. Hydraulics is used to open and close the valves.

Due to its high productivity, the equipment produces the concrete mixture at a good pressure.

Operation of the rotary system

The apparatus has an easy-to-use design. It works by using a similar technique to squeeze out concrete mixture. The apparatus is made up of a housing, a rotor with rollers and a drive, and a receiving hopper.

A rotary pump produces less pulsation at the outlet than a piston system does. The equipment is easy to use because it makes the least amount of noise when it is operating. The devices are guaranteed to operate conveniently due to their small weight and dimensions.

Rotating systems have the drawback of being unable to move mixtures containing big inclusions. They produce less pressure than piston designs. The pressure section’s flexible portion quickly becomes worn out.

Options for basing units

Concrete pump types are chosen based on the characteristics of their installation. They may move or remain stationary.

Stationary pumps

Stationary pumps are a common unit used in the construction of large objects among other units. Their mobility is limited. The units can be moved because they are fixed to a wheeled chassis.

Certain concrete pumps have fixed brands and are fixed on a permanent foundation. Plants made of reinforced concrete are within their application range. Such machinery raises the concrete mixture to a considerable height. An internal combustion engine, which can run on gasoline, diesel, or electricity, powers the pump.

Because stationary concrete pipelines can handle large volumes of work, their high productivity makes them the preferred choice. Large-scale construction projects make use of the units.

Automobile-based pumps

Trucks are the most common base for automobile-based concrete pumps. The equipment drive is provided by the power take-off shaft. In the installations, hydraulic transmission is also an option.

In Moscow and the CIS, you can find self-propelled units on a tracked chassis. They are used when it is impossible to drive standard equipment onto the construction site.

For concrete pumps, it is typical to have a retractable controlled boom, which is equipped with a concrete pipeline. The boom reach can be more than 30 meters. Equipment is manufactured, the base of which is a concrete mixer.

Purchase or make it yourself

An expensive piece of equipment that is available in specialty stores is a concrete pump. It is possible to install the equipment yourself if money is tight. When selecting units, it is advised to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Initially, the functional load of the equipment and its compliance with the construction work being performed is determined.
• If there is a need for a concrete pump 1-2 times during construction, it is better to rent it.
• The selection of parameters for the length and height of concrete mix supply is carried out individually.
• During the selection of equipment, the characteristics of its power and its productivity are determined.
• Experts recommend giving preference to mobile units, since in the process of construction of various objects there is a need to use additional equipment for transporting stationary units.

Among the most well-known brands are

They are robust and simple to use. A specialized remote control is used to operate the unit from a distance. There is no loud noise produced by the equipment when it is operating. It is possible to modify the unit’s concrete supply speed.

Fully complies with contemporary building technologies. For its assembly, high-performance units are utilized. The quality of the concrete is enhanced by the unit’s hopper. Because of its small size, the device can be utilized on construction sites with restricted space.

, which is able to move concrete mix quickly and effectively. It is employed in the quick construction of high-rise buildings, tunnel structures, and bridges. Devices that can be operated remotely are known for their quick and excellent work.

The versatility and efficiency that truck-mounted and stationary concrete pumps bring to construction projects can be seen in their operation. Concrete can be precisely placed on site straight from the truck to the desired location thanks to truck-mounted pumps, which are incredibly mobile units with integrated boom systems. Their mobility greatly lowers labor requirements and expedites the pouring process, which makes them perfect for projects where the pump needs to be moved around a lot.

However, stationary concrete pumps have advantages over mobile ones, including higher pumping capacities and the capacity to handle larger volumes of concrete for longer periods of time. These pumps are frequently utilized in large-scale construction projects where it’s essential to have a steady supply of concrete in certain locations, like high-rise buildings or long-distance pours. Because they are stationary, longer pipelines can be used to reach remote areas of the site with more stability.

Each kind of pump has advantages and disadvantages of its own. The exceptional mobility and flexibility of truck-mounted pumps allows them to maneuver through narrow spaces and uneven terrain, which is useful in urban construction sites and places with limited accessibility. Their boom systems are capable of reaching remarkable lengths and heights, providing exact control over the placement of concrete, cutting waste, and enhancing overall efficiency.

On the other hand, stationary pumps have larger output capacities and can run continuously, which makes them perfect for projects that need to use a lot of concrete for an extended amount of time. They are frequently chosen in situations where a single, well-located pumping station can effectively service several different areas of a building site without requiring regular repositioning.

In conclusion, the particular requirements of the construction project play a major role in determining whether to use a stationary or truck-mounted concrete pump. Which kind of pump will provide the most effective and economical solution depends on a number of factors, including operational duration, pumping capacity, and mobility requirements. Construction professionals can make well-informed decisions that optimize productivity and streamline the concrete placement process by comprehending the unique advantages and limitations of each type. This knowledge ultimately contributes to the successful completion of a variety of construction projects.

Video on the topic

Powerful stationary concrete pumps SHAILER #concrete pump #special equipment #production

Pros and cons of a concrete pump ⁉️ #shorts

Is it justified to use a stationary concrete pump on your project? Pros that you will get

Electric concrete pump – do you need it or not. Pros and cons of such equipment.

Cons of stationary concrete pumps #concrete pump #special equipment #shailer

Washing the boom of a concrete pump