If you’re working on a commercial project and need to transport large volumes of concrete quickly and efficiently, commercial concrete pumping could be just the solution you’re looking for.
At Technic Concrete Pumping, we’ve been providing commercial businesses with safe and reliable concrete pumping services since 2014, offering a cost-effective and first-class service in every project.
Learn more about this service in our commercial concrete pumping guide. Here, we’re going to provide you with everything you need to know so you can arrange the most suitable and effective concrete pumping solution for your business.
What is commercial concrete pumping?
Commercial concrete pumping is an efficient technique used to transport liquid concrete from a mixer to where it needs to be on site. While concrete transportation can be done manually with wheelbarrows or gravity fed methods, concrete pumping involves far less mess, time, and manual labour, and is also far more precise.
One of the most common challenges of any commercial project is access – an area where commercial concrete pumping excels. Concrete pumps can accurately deliver concrete mixes to exactly where they need to be, whether it be up high or behind a structure.
They can also support commercial builds by delivering huge volumes of concrete to a specific location – up to a cubic metre per minute.
How does concrete pumping work?
As you can see, concrete pumping is a highly efficient method. But how does it work? It’s all down to a powerful hydraulic pump system.
Sometimes, ready mix trucks arrive on-site containing the pre-mixed concrete. This is then poured into a hopper, a specialised container used to hold and dispense flowable materials like concrete. The hopper is then attached to the concrete pump, and here’s where the magic happens.
However, at Technic Concrete Pumping, we do things a little differently. We have a fleet of concrete pump trucks that combine both transport and pumping functions. This is a very popular choice for commercial projects, as it reduces manual handling, minimises the risk of spillages, and speeds up the entire process.
Within the pump, hydraulic pistons generate the exact amount of pressure needed to push the concrete through a series of pipes or boom arms (depending on the chosen method, which we’ll go into more in just a moment).
The hydraulic pump achieves a smooth and continuous flow of concrete thanks to its two alternating cylinders – one for drawing in the concrete, and one for pushing it out.
Can all concrete mixes be pumped?
Unfortunately, not all concrete mixes are designed for pumping. It’s essential for a concrete mix to have the right consistency and strength. Otherwise, it could clog, obstruct, or cause excessive wear to the pump or pipelines.
What makes a concrete mix pumpable?
Concrete mixes for pumping must have the following characteristics:
- A balanced range of particle sizes.
- A suitable cement and fines content.
- A smooth consistency for flow.
- Not oversized or excessively angular.
- The correct slump (fluidity).
- Adaptability.
What are the different types of concrete pumps?
There are two different types of concrete pumping methods, and both can be used in commercial projects. You can choose either a ground pump or a boom pump, and each has its own benefits and best use cases.
Ground pumps (Ground line pumps)
Ground pumps (also known as line pumps or ground line pumps) are a very versatile and efficient method. These hydraulic pumps are mounted onto a truck and propel the concrete through connected steel or hoses along the ground – ideal for limited access sites or a long distance delivery.
Ground pumps include anywhere from 50 metres to 150 metres of pipework to suit large scale or complex sites. They’re flexible, easy to use, highly reliable, and can accurately deliver concrete at speed.
Boom pumps
Sometimes, even ground pumps might not be able to deliver the concrete to where it needs to go. When this problem arises, boom pumps offer an alternative.
Boom pumps feature a large, extendable hydraulic arm (also called a boom), which can reach over obstacles such as fences and even buildings. This is ideal if you need concrete delivered to a multi-storey area or somewhere on a cramped urban site.
The best feature of a boom pump, without a doubt, is its hydraulic arm. Made up of interconnected steel sections, boom pumps have excellent reach and flexibility, extending up to 72 metres. The hydraulic arm can also be angled and repositioned for stress free access, making it an ideal method for pumping concrete to vertical projects, such as high-rises and bridges.
What is commercial concrete pumping used for?
Commercial concrete pumping can be used for a wide range of applications, including residential housing developments, high rise construction, and complex infrastructure projects. It can also be used for pouring concrete slabs, walls, columns, and architectural features.
Basically, in any situation where concrete needs to be moved safely and efficiently, and where timing and precision are a priority.
What are the benefits of commercial concrete pumping?
We’ve lightly touched on the key benefits of commercial concrete pumping – especially when compared to traditional concrete placement methods. There’s no denying that it’s faster, cleaner, and far more controlled – a huge benefit for commercial projects.
Other features that make commercial concrete pumping so popular include…
- Speed and efficiency: At a rate of a cubic metre a minute, concrete pumps can support large scale jobs with smooth, continuous operation.
- Accuracy: Concrete pumps can deliver mixes with impressive accuracy, reducing the risk of spills.
- Mess free: When concrete pumping trucks are used, sites can benefit from fewer obstructions and a neat, easily accessible workspace.
- Safe: With no wheelbarrows and manual labour needed, concrete pumping can reduce the risk of workplace accidents.
- Versatile: With two efficient concrete pumping methods to choose from, commercial projects can always find the best concrete pumping solution for their needs.
How to prepare your site for a concrete pump vehicle
Concrete pumping takes skill and excellent timing. For best results and a smooth process, it’s important to spend some time preparing your site before your concrete pump vehicle arrives.
While concrete pump vehicles are designed to handle challenging terrain, it goes a long way to make your site as accessible as possible. This can help make the whole process more efficient, safe, and accurate.
Here’s how to do it:
- Clear the site entrance and pump location: Ensure that any parked vehicles, bins, equipment, or other obstructions are removed to prevent pump access issues.
- Notify your provider of any access challenges ahead of time: Be transparent with your provider about your site’s access. Whether it’s on a narrow path or a busy road, notifying your provider in advance can prevent time delays and surprises.
- Check your ground stability: It goes without saying that concrete pumping trucks are heavy. Check that the ground in the operation area is stable, or discuss this with your provider to determine if stabilisation solutions need to be implemented.
- Make sure you have all the necessary permissions you need: Commercial concrete pumping can be conducted anywhere, but it’s important that you have the correct permissions to do so. For example, you may need permission from the local council or assistance with traffic management if you plan to pump concrete on a busy road.
- Attend or dial in to a pre delivery consultation: At Technic Concrete Pumping, we’ll always discuss the ins and outs of your commercial project with you after you’ve enquired. This is to help us gain a better understanding of your needs, any site challenges, or details that we need to be aware of.
Why choose concrete pumping services from Technic Concrete Pumping Ltd.?
At Technic Concrete Pumping Ltd., we have been supporting commercial projects with concrete pumping solutions for over 10 years. Our concrete pumping specialists offer our clients friendly customer service and high quality professionalism at every step throughout the process.
With a fleet of high performance mobile pumps including top tier Schwing models, we’re on hand to help any commercial company in the North West with everything from domestic pours to large-scale projects.
If you’re looking for a safe, efficient, and cost-effective commercial concrete pumping service, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today.