Concrete pumps are the most essential tools to have at a construction site. It is the equipment used to transfer concrete from the source to where it is required. Traditionally, workers used wheelbarrows, buckets, and cranes to transfer concrete. It goes without saying that these modes of conveying concrete were not only slow but also very ineffective, especially for large scale constructions. The mechanization of concrete conveyance helped make construction projects easier, safer, faster and much more cost-effective.
With that being said, if you are planning on investing in a concrete pump, you might be wondering how to go about and what factors you should consider. In this article, we are going to take a look at the factors to consider when choosing concrete pumps(bombas de hormigon):
1. Type of Pump
First of all, you have to keep in mind that there are different types of concrete pumps meant for different types of construction projects. The main types are; line concrete pumps and boom concrete pumps.
– Boom concrete pumps: These are stationary types(tipos estacionarios) of pumps that feature a robotic articulating arm that is used to place the concrete. It is ideal for large-scale projects as it is able to pump large volumes of concrete. It is also used for high-rise conditions and to pump concrete around obstacles.
– Line concrete pump: These types of pumps are compact in design and are mainly used for small construction projects. Normally, they are mounted on a trailer or on the back of a truck. Hoses or pipes are attached to the drain valve, and depending on the pumping distance, additional pies can be connected to the main pipe.
2. Size of the Pump
This mainly depends on the purpose of the pump. You need to first understand the kinds of jobs that the pump will be undertaking. Domestic construction projects, for example, don’t have high concrete pumping requirements and might not enough space. For these types of projects, you will need a smaller-sized concrete pump.
However, for large scale construction projects(proyectos de construcción a gran escala), you will need a large sized concrete pump with a high output rate and longer horizontal and vertical pumping distance.
3. Type of Valve
This is an important factor to consider when investing in a concrete pump. You need to find out the capability of the system that the concrete pump you are planning on buying uses.
4. New or Used
Another factor to consider is dependent on your budget. Obviously, buying a new concrete pump offers more advantages such as warranty, after-sales services(servicios posventa), and investing in a product that is less likely to fail. However, if you are low on cash or are just starting out then you can consider buying a used concrete pump, but you need to be very careful.
5. Reputation of the Manufacturer
This is a very important factor to consider whenever you are planning on buying any construction equipment. Therefore, before buying a concrete pump, first, do some research on the manufacturer. The internet has a wealth of information and they are various sites where you can find manufacturer ratings and customer reviews.