The pipe on your boom truck is not the only expensive item on the job site for pumping concrete. Every aspect of the pumping operation needs to be reviewed to ensure safety first, then the highest total value. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is vital to providing the best value to your customers and maximizing profitability for yourself. Many operators overlook these additional parts of the pumping cycle, resulting in undocumented extra costs (time, material, labor), repairs, customer frustration, and inefficiencies. Investment in all components of the concrete placing cycle will benefit both your customers and your bottom line.
Understanding the Concrete Pumping Process
As you know, the concrete pumping process involves many different components working together to move concrete from one location to another. Some of the most important components are pipes, hoses, clamps, backend covers, hose skids, valves, and, of course, the boom pipe kit. Although the boom kit is typically a primary consideration for most operations, at the end of the day, it is a cog in a much bigger machine. A failure in any component of the pumping process can lead to costly delays, increased maintenance costs, and, worst of all, hazardous situations on the job site.
Many concrete pumping businesses operate under the misconception that high-quality materials and components matter only for their boom kit. However, since the concrete pumping system relies on many components to function, you need reliable parts throughout your entire rig to the point of concrete placement. Problems with any of those systems can cost you money and downtime.
The Role of Each Component in Concrete Pumping
For those unfamiliar with each component in a concrete pumping system, below are some of the most prominent components and their functions.
Pipes
The pipes in your concrete pumping system are the backbone of the system, as they’re responsible for carrying the concrete from the hopper to the boom, and from the boom to the point of placement. High-quality pipes are essential to ensure that the concrete is flowing safely and efficiently to its destination. When you invest in pipes that are durable and well-engineered, you reduce the risk of leaks, bursts, and blockages, resulting in improved uptime and lower maintenance costs.
Vannes
Valves play a pivotal part in controlling the flow of concrete through the pumping system by changing the direction of the concrete flow. This ensures that the concrete reaches its final destination without any interruptions. High-quality valves will help you maintain better control over this flow, preventing leaks, clogs, and other mishaps that disrupt the pumping process. Investing in top-tier valves will help keep your system up and running, since they are much less likely to fail than cheaper valves. Valves are also a safety device in many pours to divert flow if there is a blockage, or to support cleanout of the system at the end of the pour.
Tuyaux
Hoses help the concrete pumping system deliver concrete to a precise location and some styles can help reduce air to maintain mix design parameters. They need to be flexible enough to get to hard-to-reach areas, while still being able to withstand high pressure and wear. Poor quality hoses can also present a huge safety risk to workers; they are more susceptible than higher-quality hoses to wear and abrasion, which could lead to bursting. That is why it is important to invest in reliable and durable hoses for your concrete pumping system. Premium hose suppliers certify the materials, manufacturing, and crimping by burst testing regularly to remove risk from operators.
Clamps
Clamps are often the unsung heroes of a concrete pumping operation. They ensure that the connections between pipes, hoses, and other components are secure. In doing so, they help prevent leaks, ensuring a steady flow of concrete. When you invest in high-quality clamps, you’re investing in the integrity of the system as a whole. Clamps are stamped with a pressure rating to make sure the right clamps are used with the right pump pressure.
The Benefits of Investing in a Complete Concrete Pumping System
Now that we’ve gone through the key parts in a concrete pumping operation, let’s review the benefits you’ll see when you make investments in your truck and the system.
Enhanced Performance
When you invest in higher-quality components, you’ll often see an improvement in the performance of your concrete pumping system right away. By upgrading each component to a higher-quality version, you’ll find synergies within the system that help you operate more efficiently and pump more concrete per hour.
Longer Equipment Lifespan
When you invest in quality parts for your concrete pumping system, those parts tend to be more durable, leading to a substantial decrease in unplanned repairs and maintenance. By reducing the frequency of needed upkeep, you can keep your operation up and running longer.
Improved Safety
The most important benefit you’ll see is improved safety in your operation. In the construction and manufacturing industries, our people are the most important part of our business. Investing in your entire system will ensure that your operations are as safe as possible, minimizing workplace incidents, burst hoses, and dangerous leaks.
Cost Savings
With more efficient operations comes a reduction in costly maintenance and repairs and a boost in employee safety. All of this means that you’ll see considerable savings, increasing top-line revenue and allowing you to invest further in your operations.
Your One-Stop Shop for Concrete Pumping Solutions
We’ve been at the forefront of the concrete pumping industry for a half-century. Our top-quality products help the best in the business run reliable, safe operations. We take pride in our role as innovators, manufacturers, and solution engineers for the industry, and we know what concrete pumping operations need to perform at their best.
Although we are best known for our high-quality piping for boom kits, Con Forms offers much more than just pipes. We manufacture key components for the concrete pumping process, including valves, hoses, clamps, and other accessories.
And as founding members of both the American Concrete Pumping Association (ACPA) and the Concrete Pump Manufacturers Association (CPMA), we are committed to the safety and reliability of every part that we make.
