Mechanical Devices: An introduction to Concrete Pumps

Flowing volumes of concrete for footings and suspended slabs was always an issue for construction workers. It had been throughout the 1920s when builders made the decision to test a far more efficient method of transporting concrete to high places or where space is restricted. Fritz Hell, a German engineer, and the team were setting up a war memorial once the mast transporting the concrete all of a sudden smashed. Other engineers began developing Hell’s design before the mechanical device grew to become popular during 1940s. Workers began using concrete pumps to transfer liquid concrete during construction of high structures-this grew to become especially useful after World War II.

Primary Areas Of A Concrete Pump

Valves: Concrete pumping equipment could work through hydraulically-powered valves or ball-checked valves. Hydraulic valves can handle handling different cement mixtures and may power up to 250 cubic yards of concrete each hour. Ball-checked valves, however, use balls and mating seats to manage cement transfer in the hopper towards the cylinder and pipeline. These are perfect for pumping smaller sized volumes of cements through thinner pipelines.

Cylinders: One cylinder connects to some hopper, as the other dispenses towards the pipeline.

Pumps: The very first designs were mechanical and also have fundamental functions. Contractors pour cement in to the hopper attached to the cylinders via a valve. The valve closes along with a piston will push the cement in to the pipeline. Hydraulic pumps, however, were later introduced and elevated the efficiency of transferring liquid cement.

Pipeline: The pipeline should be robust and sturdy. It has to be also light so contractors can certainly make it through the site. The pipeline includes a double edged sword: boom hose and discharge hose. The boom hose consists of steel alloy, as the discharge hose consists of lighter and versatile material.

Two Kinds Of Concrete Pumps

Concrete pumps are available in two sorts: boom truck and line pump. Boom trucks contain a truck, frame, and also the pump itself. These are perfect for flowing cement into slabs and medium high-rise structures. These change from single-axle truck mounted pumps, appropriate for limited areas. These make use of a remote-controlled automatic arm, known as a boom, to transfer cement precisely. They are appropriate for big construction projects simply because they can pump at high volumes.

Another kind of concrete pumping devices are line pumps. Forms of referred to as truck-mounted pumps because builders mount these on trucks or trailers. These have steel or rubber hoses by hand connected to the machine’s vent. These also employ ball-checked valves. These pumps are perfect for smaller sized construction projects like pools, sidewalks, and ground slabs simply because they pump at lower volumes when compared with boom trucks. Contractors also employ these for grout, wet screeds, mortar, foamed concrete, and sludge.

One very dangerous thing that is seen in the concrete pump parts industry from time to time is people having their arms, fingers, etc. amputated in the field due to cleaning out the pump with their hands while the pump motor is running. Remember, never put any body part in the hopper, outlet valve or lubrication box while the pump is running.