The Ultimate Guide to Concrete Pumps

In Concrete Pumps. On September 19, 2024.

Concrete pumps are a crucial piece of equipment, extensively used by businesses operating within construction and related industries. Versatile in their application, concrete pumps are used for a variety of requirements including new builds, foundations, concrete slabs, bridges, tunnels, infrastructure projects remediation and repair.

Concrete pumps have many advantages compared to ‘traditional’, manual concreting methods. They are significantly less labour-intensive, reduce costs, reduce time and are more efficient.

Let’s explore the types of concrete pumps and the different features you should be looking for in your next purchase.

What is a concrete pump, and how does it work?

Put simply, a concrete pump is a machine used to transfer a concrete mix over an extended distance and place the product exactly where it is required. Depending on the mix design and the pump specifications, concrete pumps can transfer product over significant horizontal and vertical distances.

Some concrete pump models include a self-contained mixing unit that mixes the materials to the desired slump prior to pumping. Other models require the material to be mixed separately then added to the pump hopper as a complete mix, ready for pumping.

Concrete pumps can be stationary (typically mounted on a skid), or completely mobile (mounted on tracks, trailer or truck). An alternative option is a boom pump, which has an extendable arm configuration for pumping concrete over large vertical distances.

Specialised concrete pumps also utilise the addition of pressurised air to spray either a wet mix (‘shotcrete’) or dry mix (’gunite’) when applying.

There are many types of concrete pumps depending on the desired application, and each has its own advantages.

At CGS Equipment, we offer a selection of concrete mixers and pumps with the ability to handle a large range of raw material types and any pumping distance, specific to the requirements of our customers. Whether you are pumping ‘harsher’ mixes with large aggregate, finer slurry-type mixes, or any specialty mix design in between, our high quality and heavy-duty range of concrete pumps have the ability to deliver you a suitable solution for any requirement.

Line Pumps

Concrete line pumps can deliver concrete over long distances horizontally or vertically. They can be used for larger projects over multiple levels all the way down to smaller, simpler jobs. Concrete line pumps can be stationary/skid mounted, track mounted trailer mounted or truck mounted and, given their manoeuvrability, are often used in projects where access is difficult. The flexibility of line pumps and their use makes them a very popular piece of construction machinery.

Stationary pumps

Stationary pumps are a type of line pump mounted on a transportable skid. These are typically used on projects where the pump is required to remain in an area for a specific period of time. Despite being ‘stationary’, these pumps are typically easily transported between projects using an appropriate vehicle.

Trailer pumps

Trailer pumps are a type of line pump mounted on a towable trailer set up. This type of configuration provides a large degree of flexibility and freedom to the owner as they are able to relocate and move the pump with ease.

Track mounted pumps

As an alternative to mounting to a skid or trailer, some concrete pumps are available as track mounted units. This configuration provides increased mobility while the pump is on site. The tracks enable the operator to move the pump over challenging and hard to access terrain.

Shotcrete and gunite pumps

Shotcrete and gunite machines are specialised pumps that include the addition of pressurised air through the pumping line to deliver a spray from the end of the nozzle. These pumps enable the operator to apply the product to non-horizontal surfaces and are used extensively in pool construction, rendering, reinforcement and remedial activities.

Where Can Concrete Pumps BeUsed?

There is a concrete pump for every application. Common uses of our product range include:

Residential construction: Examples include pool building, driveways, retaining walls, home extensions, slabs, construction of stand-alone dwellings and multi-level apartments.
Commercial and industrial construction: Examples include construction of offices, warehouses, hardstand and other larger requirements.
Infrastructure projects: Examples include tunneling, piping, concrete reinforcement, transport infrastructure (bridges, roads), social infrastructure (schools, hospitals, sports precincts), council infrastructure (footpaths, curbing, transport support).
Energy projects: Examples include footings for wind farms and solar farms, reinforcement requirements etc.
Remediation & repair: The refurbishment, maintenance or repair of any concrete structure. Common use is the remediation of assets situated in a marine environment (e.g. piers, jetties)

You can explore more ways our customers have used our concrete pump machinery in the case studies section of our website.

Choosing the right concrete pump for your business

Whether you plan to tackle residential jobs or large infrastructure projects with your concrete pump equipment, it’s important to first assess your specific requirements and any challenges you are seeking to overcome.

Key considerations to inform your purchasing decision include the nature of the material being pumped, the pumping distance required (horizontal & vertical), placing & application requirements, and access to site. These will determine the specifications of your concrete pump such as pump rate and volume, pressure, power source, ancillary equipment required and any accessories or options.

Concrete equipment from CGS

At CGS Equipment, we have multiple pump options available to suit your specific requirements. Our range includes all types of line pumps, shotcrete and gunite pumps. Many of our models are flexible in their configuration, available on either a skid, tracks trailer or truck. All of our concrete pumps are manufactured in Europe or America, to the highest standards of quality and durability. You can rest assured that our range of trailer pumps are designed to withstand the toughest operating conditions and, if properly serviced & maintained, will deliver value to your business for many decades.

Trailer pumps in the CGS range include:

Shotcrete and gunite pumps in the CGS range include:

Alternative equipment

Looking for something other than a concrete pump? At CGS Equipment, we supply equipment for all things Concrete, Grout and Screed. Our range includes screed pump trucks, volumetric concrete mixers, grout mixers & pumps, plaster & mortar pumps, dust extractors and a range of mixers.

With regular maintenance, a concrete pump can be a reliable investment that quickly pays for itself and helps your business service parts of the market it couldn’t previously. For more tips from the experts in concrete pumps and all things concrete, grout and screed, contact CGS Equipment today on 1300 581 948.