Concrete—the cornerstone of modern civilization, bearing the core load of over 90% of global building structures. Within this vast industrial system, concrete pump technology is revolutionizing construction efficiency:
Concrete pumps feature outstanding performance, capable of vertical pumping over 100 meters per hour and horizontal pumping over 300 meters. They can maintain material conveying accuracy within ±2%, significantly addressing quality issues such as segregation and cold joints in traditional pouring methods. From the core structure of super high-rise buildings to underground comprehensive tunnels, its modular intelligent system has redefined the construction logic, significantly increasing the daily pouring volume.
As a core conveying equipment in modern construction, concrete pumps, with a continuous pumping capacity of ≥45m³/h and a flow control accuracy of ±0.5%, have completely restructured the concrete construction paradigm. Its modular hydraulic system can replace the collaborative operation of 20 workers, significantly reducing the risk of quality fluctuations caused by manual reliance.
what exactly is concrete pumping? The essence of concrete pumping is precise delivery. Through a high-pressure conveying system, the well-mixed concrete is directly pumped to the pouring point via pipelines. This technology breaks through terrain limitations – whether it is deep foundation pits, high-rise structures or narrow working surfaces, it can achieve millimeter-level precision pouring, replacing inefficient methods such as manual handling and chutes.
One of the key advantages of concrete pumping is its speed and efficiency. Concrete pumps significantly reduce project costs and construction periods by replacing manual handling and traditional transportation methods. One machine can cut labor input by 30% and shorten the construction period by 25%. Meanwhile, the continuous and stable pumping process eliminates construction interruptions and ensures uniform and dense concrete. More importantly, the conveying capacity of this equipment breaks through the limitations of terrain. Even in deep foundation pits or narrow passages only 1.2 meters wide, it can still achieve precise pouring with an error of less than 50mm.
Another major advantage of concrete pumping is its wide applicability. From the pouring of floor slabs in family courtyards to the cloud-based construction of super high-rise buildings, concrete pumps have become a full-scenario solution for modern engineering. The trailer pump nimbles through narrow streets and alleys, the mixing pump enables self-sufficiency in remote mountainous areas, and the boom pump truck conquers precise concrete delivery at heights of over a hundred meters. For the scale, terrain and precision requirements of each project, there is always a matching pumping technology to deliver concrete efficiently, changing the traditional transportation methods in the construction industry.
Trailer Concrete Pump
Trailer-mounted concrete pumps uses a trailer as the mobile chassis, is equipped with a large-capacity receiving hopper and an efficient hydraulic drive system, and can achieve long-distance transportation of concrete through high-strength steel pipes or flexible rubber hoses. This equipment organically combines the conveying function with the mobile chassis, ensuring the efficiency of concrete pumping while establishing a more flexible construction mode. It is particularly suitable for engineering scenarios with high requirements for equipment mobility.
Its core advantage lies in its outstanding flexibility: the trailer chassis can be flexibly towed by a tractor, easily adapting to the relocation needs of different construction sites and solving the problem of difficult site conversion for traditional fixed pumping equipment. Flexible rubber hoses have excellent bending performance and can be precisely poured in narrow Spaces such as indoors and basements, breaking through the constraints of space limitations on concrete construction. This design of “mobile chassis + flexible delivery” frees concrete pumping from the dual constraints of site and space.
The concrete pump adopts a modular design, making the disassembly and maintenance of each component convenient and effectively reducing the operating cost of the equipment. For small and medium-sized concrete construction projects, it combines mobility, precision and economy. It can not only meet diverse construction needs, but also optimize resource input through flexible allocation, making it an ideal equipment choice for improving construction efficiency.
Concrete Mixer with Pump
The concrete mixer pump innovatively combines the functions of mixing and pumping, completely eliminating the material transfer link in traditional construction. It directly mixes aggregates, cement and other raw materials on site into concrete and immediately pumps it into the formwork, which improves the overall work efficiency by more than 40% compared with the drag pump mode.
Compared with the modular equipment combination, this model has achieved three major breakthroughs through modular design: reducing the floor space by 60%, increasing the transfer speed by three times, and replacing the mixer + pump truck + transport fleet with a single device. It demonstrates revolutionary advantages in space-constrained scenarios such as urban village renovation and mountainous area infrastructure construction. It is particularly suitable for rural housing construction, small-scale construction sites, high-altitude operations, and complex site construction.
This type of multi-functional equipment eliminates the need for separate mixers and pumps, providing outstanding efficiency for a wide range of engineering projects. The equipment is equipped with a mixing drum to ensure mixing quality. Similar to trailer-mounted pumps, its piping system combines steel pipes with flexible hoses. You can choose between a diesel engine or an electric motor as the power system according to your needs.
Concrete Boom Pump Truck
The boom pump truck is centered around a vehicle-mounted hydraulic boom, which can be flexibly extended through a multi-section folding boom system, with the longest boom reaching over 60 meters. Combined with a 360° full-range rotation function, it enables efficient coverage of large construction areas.
Take a 30-story residential project as an example: when using a 48-meter concrete boom pump, only three positioning points are required to complete the concrete pouring for the entire building, reducing equipment relocation time by 10 times compared to traditional trailer-mounted pumps, significantly improving construction efficiency.
In terms of pumping capacity, the boom pump truck can deliver 50–150 cubic meters of concrete per hour. This efficient continuous operation capability makes it the preferred equipment for time-sensitive projects such as bridge river crossings and large stadium stands.
Especially in bridge construction, where complex terrain and long-span construction requirements are common, the boom pump truck can directly deliver concrete to the specified location with precision, reducing time losses caused by secondary transportation. In the construction of large-scale sports venues, its rapid and efficient pouring capability meets the construction requirements for continuous pouring of large-volume concrete, effectively ensuring project progress.
Trailer Concrete Pump
The rapid deployment of a trailer concrete pump only requires three steps: First, position the equipment near the pouring point, ensuring that the entry and exit channels for the mixer truck are unobstructed and that the ground load-bearing capacity meets the standards; Then, the hydraulic outriggers are unfolded. After being precisely leveled with a level, the support surface is reinforced with standard sleepers or steel plates to form a stable base. Finally, connect the delivery pipe.
Once the system pressure stabilizes within the range of 8 to 12MPa, pumping can begin. Once the pressure stabilizes, continuous pouring can begin. After securing the equipment, check critical parameters such as the hydraulic oil tank level and the sealing integrity of the pipelines, and conduct a test run of the equipment for pressure testing.
Before receiving concrete from the mixer truck via the hopper, pre-add an appropriate amount of water and mortar to the hopper for pipe flushing to prevent blockages. During formal operation, activate the hydraulic drive system and adjust the concrete pump’s pressure parameters to values suitable for the working conditions.
Concrete is continuously pumped to the pouring point through a piston hydraulic pump inside wear-resistant steel pipes or rubber hoses. Operators must monitor pressure gauge data in real time and dynamically adjust the pumping frequency based on pouring height and distance to ensure continuous and uniform concrete pouring.
During construction, the pipeline’s seal integrity must be regularly inspected to keep pressure loss below 15%. This system is particularly suitable for narrow spaces inaccessible to large equipment, such as basement side wall pouring, renovation of alleys in old urban areas, and small plaza flooring, with a minimum turning radius of 1.5 meters.
Concrete Mixer with Pump
The concrete mixer pump integrates mixing and pumping functions, achieving a 40% increase in construction efficiency. Before starting the equipment, ensure that the mixer drum bearings are properly lubricated and manually rotate the drum to eliminate any jamming. Thoroughly clean any residue from the drum to ensure that the gap between the mixing blades and the drum wall is ≤5 mm.
During the material feeding stage, strictly follow the mix ratio sequence: cement → coarse aggregate → fine aggregate → water → admixtures, with precise feeding through the metering hopper. The forced mixing system must continue to operate until the concrete slump stabilizes within the range of 180±20mm.
After mixing is complete, pump cement slurry at low pressure to lubricate the pipes. When switching to concrete pumping, dynamically adjust the pressure based on the pouring height, and maintain a constant flow rate during horizontal transportation.
During operation, adjust the mixing time and speed according to the concrete mix design to ensure concrete quality. If using diesel power, monitor fuel reserves; for electric power, ensure a stable power supply. This pump is suitable for remote construction projects away from ready-mix concrete plants, such as mountain road construction and water conservancy facility construction in remote areas; it can also be used for small-scale independent projects like rural self-built houses and small-scale livestock farms, eliminating reliance on external concrete supply and enhancing construction autonomy.
Concrete Boom Pump Truck
The operation of concrete boom pump trucks must strictly follow standardized procedures to ensure construction safety and efficiency. The equipment first undergoes a site assessment to select a flat area for parking, with the vehicle body maintaining a safety distance of more than 3 meters from obstacles. The outrigger system adopts an H-type four-way support layout, calibrated with a laser level to ensure the vehicle’s leveling error is minimized. Each outrigger pad must have an area of no less than 0.25 square meters.
The control system is equipped with a dual-mode operating platform, with the cab integrated with a 10-inch touchscreen for basic operation control; in complex working conditions, it switches to a handheld remote control. The pumping system adopts a dual-cylinder hydraulic piston design, with a maximum output pressure of 32 MPa, and uses rubber hoses at the end to achieve 270-degree flexible material distribution.
In terms of concrete delivery, after the pumping system is started, the concrete is pushed through the boom pipes at high pressure via a double-cylinder piston pumping mechanism. The rubber hose at the end of the boom can further adjust the pouring direction, ensuring precise placement of concrete into the formwork or reinforcing steel framework. Additionally, by controlling the pumping flow rate, it can accommodate different pouring requirements for varying heights and distances.
The operation of the boom pump truck requires professional personnel, and a comprehensive inspection of the boom must be conducted before operation to prevent malfunctions. With its extensive boom extension range and high pumping efficiency, it is ideal for large-scale high-rise construction, enabling rapid concrete delivery to upper floors. In large-scale bridge construction, it excels in both pier pouring and deck paving. Additionally, it is widely applied in large-span structures such as sports stadiums and industrial plants, capable of completing large-volume concrete pouring tasks in a short timeframe.
The selection of concrete pumps directly impacts the success or failure of a project and requires a comprehensive assessment of the actual needs of the construction site. First, the scale of the project must be evaluated—small-scale projects may only require basic models, while large-scale projects must consider the continuous operational capacity of high-power equipment. Pouring height and distance determine the selection criteria for pumping pressure, with different floor heights and horizontal conveying lengths requiring corresponding performance parameters.
The on-site working environment is equally critical. Narrow spaces require compact, maneuverable equipment, while complex terrain necessitates consideration of pipeline layout and the number of elbows. Additionally, construction schedule requirements determine whether backup equipment or higher-efficiency models are needed.
Professional equipment selection must balance these factors to avoid construction interruptions caused by insufficient performance while preventing resource waste from over-specced equipment. A reasonable pump type selection ensures continuous concrete delivery, providing reliable assurance for engineering quality.
The overall scale and scope of a project are the primary factors in selecting a concrete pump. For large-scale projects, due to high concrete demand and extended construction periods, high-capacity, high-performance concrete pumps must be selected.
In the construction of super-high-rise buildings, concrete pumping operations—taking a 100-story building as an example—often require daily pouring volumes of over 1,000 cubic meters. To achieve continuous pouring operations, it is essential to deploy a large-scale pump truck system with an arm extension height of over 60 meters and a theoretical pumping capacity of over 120 cubic meters per hour.
In contrast, the requirements for equipment in residential small-scale projects are significantly different. For example, in residential area courtyard paving or private driveway construction, the total concrete volume typically ranges from 20 to 40 cubic meters. In such cases, mobile trailer-mounted pumps or small mixer pumps are more suitable. These devices have a pumping capacity of 30 to 50 cubic meters per hour, which meets construction efficiency requirements without causing idle waste of equipment performance.
Whether for large-scale projects or small-scale civil engineering projects, the selection of concrete pumps fundamentally involves a comprehensive consideration of construction efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental adaptability.
Accurately calculating the total volume of concrete required for a project and the pouring rate is the core basis for determining pump capacity. Additionally, fluctuations in concrete demand during peak construction periods must be considered, and appropriate reserve capacity should be allocated to avoid pouring interruptions due to insufficient pump capacity.
In practice, the concrete volume for each construction area can be precisely calculated using engineering drawings, combined with the construction schedule to estimate concrete usage at different stages, thereby selecting an appropriate pump type. For example, when pouring bridge piers, the pump capacity should be reasonably selected based on the dimensions, quantity, and pouring time requirements of the piers to ensure continuous concrete pouring and structural quality.
The horizontal pumping distance and vertical pumping height of concrete are the most critical technical parameters when selecting concrete pump specifications, directly determining the required power and performance configuration of the pump. Based on industry experience, for every additional 100 meters of horizontal pumping distance or every 30 meters of vertical pumping height, the friction resistance within the pipeline increases exponentially.
When pumping distance and height significantly increase, standard concrete pumps struggle to meet construction requirements. In such cases, not only is a high-power drive system required to provide stronger pumping pressure, but a high-capacity pumping unit must also be selected to maintain stable flow. Factors such as pipeline diameter and the number of bends must also be considered for their impact on pumping resistance. Optimizing pipeline layout and selecting wear-resistant pipeline materials can further reduce pumping difficulty.
In high-rise building construction, when conveying concrete to heights of tens or even hundreds of meters, concrete pumps with high-lift capabilities must be selected. For buildings over 30 stories, it is typically necessary to use boom pumps or truck-mounted pumps with vertical pumping heights exceeding 100 meters to ensure smooth delivery of concrete to the construction floors.
For projects with long horizontal pumping distances, such as long-distance tunnel concrete pouring, in addition to considering the pump’s horizontal conveying capacity, it is also necessary to reasonably plan the pipeline layout, minimize bends and resistance, and ensure that concrete can be efficiently conveyed to the work site.
The layout of the construction site, terrain conditions, and accessibility play a significant role in determining the type of concrete pump to be used. In confined spaces such as narrow city streets and old neighborhoods, large concrete pump trucks may be unable to access the site or perform their tasks. In such cases, small trailer-mounted pumps or micro-boom pumps, with their compact and flexible design, become the better choice.
In complex terrain such as mountainous areas or wetlands, considerations must extend beyond the pump’s maneuverability to include equipment stability. For example, in mountain road construction where the ground is uneven, it is essential to select concrete pumps with a sturdy chassis and excellent off-road performance, while implementing necessary anti-slip and anti-overturning measures to ensure safe operation.
Additionally, obstacles at the construction site, such as overhead power lines and buildings, can also affect the pump’s positioning and boom extension range. These factors must be thoroughly assessed during selection to avoid safety hazards.
Budget is a critical factor that cannot be overlooked in construction projects. High-capacity, high-performance concrete pumps can significantly improve construction efficiency and shorten project schedules, but their rental or purchase costs are also relatively high. On the other hand, low-capacity pumps, while more affordable, may fail to meet the demands of large-scale construction projects, leading to extended schedules and indirect cost increases.
When selecting a pump type, it is essential to conduct a comprehensive comparison of the prices, purchase costs, maintenance expenses, and fuel consumption of different pump models, while ensuring project quality and schedule, and perform a cost-benefit analysis based on the project budget.
For short-term small-scale projects, purchasing a cost-effective small concrete pump may be more economical; for long-term large-scale projects, if the budget allows, purchasing a high-performance large concrete mixer pump may be more cost-effective in the long run.
Concrete Mix and Its Impact on Pumping Concrete
Consistency and Water-Cement Ratio
The consistency of concrete is closely related to the water-cement ratio, directly determining its flowability. An ideal concrete mix design must strike a balance between the two — ensuring the concrete has sufficient flowability to pass smoothly through pumps and pipes, while avoiding excessive water-cement ratios that could result in overly soft concrete, thereby weakening the final structural strength.
In vertical pumping for high-rise buildings, if the water-cement ratio is too high, concrete is prone to segregation under high pressure, not only affecting pumping efficiency but also potentially resulting in concrete strength failing to meet standards after pouring; conversely, if the water-cement ratio is too low, concrete has poor flowability, significantly increasing pumping resistance and greatly increasing the risk of pipeline blockages.
Aggregate particle size
Aggregate particle size is a critical parameter in concrete mix design. When aggregate particle size is too large, exceeding the compatibility range of pumps and pipes, it can cause blockages in the pump or pipes.
Taking the commonly used trailer-mounted concrete pump as an example, it is typically suitable for concrete with aggregate particle sizes not exceeding 40 mm; for boom-mounted pump trucks, to achieve efficient pumping, aggregate particle size is generally controlled within 30 mm.
In actual construction, if concrete containing large aggregate particle sizes is used without selecting the appropriate pump type, such as in a tunnel project where a small-diameter pump was mistakenly used to transport concrete with large aggregate particle sizes, this ultimately led to frequent pipeline blockages and severe delays in the construction schedule.
Hydraulic System: The Core of Power and Control
The hydraulic system is the “heart” of the concrete pump, providing the equipment with powerful drive and precise control. Through the hydraulic system, construction personnel can flexibly adjust the pumping speed and pressure of concrete to meet different construction requirements.
When dealing with high-strength, high-viscosity concrete, a powerful hydraulic system can provide sufficient pressure to ensure smooth concrete delivery; simultaneously, its precise pressure control function effectively reduces the risk of pipeline blockages.
Boom: The Determining Factor for Pouring Range and Precision
The length and flexibility of the boom on a concrete boom pump truck directly impact construction efficiency and pouring precision. A longer boom can cover a larger construction area, reducing the number of times the pump truck needs to be moved, offering significant advantages in large-scale construction scenarios such as commercial complexes and stadiums.
A boom with highly flexible joints can easily access narrow spaces and complex structures for precise pouring, such as inside basements or building corners. Understanding the core functions of a concrete pump is the foundation for proper selection and efficient construction. Whether for large-scale infrastructure projects or small-scale construction projects, selecting a concrete pump that matches actual needs ensures optimal equipment performance and smooth project progression.
The remote control function of the boom pump allows operators to precisely control the extension, rotation, and concrete pouring of the boom from a safe area dozens of meters away from the pump truck by simply holding a remote control, greatly reducing the risks of working at heights and operating at close range.
While ensuring personal safety, construction efficiency is increased by 40%. This intelligent operation method not only reduces human error but also makes the construction process more flexible and controllable.
The concrete pump is designed with the user experience of construction workers in mind. Take the boom pump truck as an example. Its driving and operating methods are similar to those of ordinary vehicles and machinery. After simple training, construction workers can quickly master the essentials of operation. For small construction teams, there is no need to hire highly paid technical personnel to operate the equipment, effectively reducing labor and training costs.
The efficiency of concrete pumps is fully demonstrated in large-scale concrete pouring. A standard boom pump can pump 50–150 cubic meters of concrete per hour, achieving efficiency improvements of over 10 times compared to traditional manual pouring methods.
By using high-capacity boom pumps, daily concrete pouring volumes exceeding 1,000 cubic meters can be achieved. A pouring project originally estimated to take 30 days was completed in just 18 days, significantly reducing the project schedule and securing valuable time for subsequent construction. This efficient construction method helps construction companies quickly recover funds and enhance their market competitiveness.
Concrete pumps, with their flexible boom or pipeline configurations, can easily handle various complex construction scenarios. Whether it’s high-altitude work on high-rise buildings or precise pouring in narrow spaces, concrete pumps can handle it with ease.
In old residential area renovation projects, where space is limited and obstacles are numerous, small pipeline pumps can navigate through narrow passages to precisely deliver concrete to the construction site, avoiding construction challenges caused by site restrictions and ensuring the smooth progress of the project.
The automated operation of concrete pumps greatly reduces dependence on manual labor. Traditional concrete pouring requires a large number of workers to work together, but with concrete pumps, only a few operators are needed to complete the entire pouring process. In addition, the reduction in labor costs also reduces additional costs associated with personnel management and labor disputes.
Reasonably selecting the type of concrete pump according to project requirements can effectively control equipment costs. For small projects or short-term projects, concrete mixing and pumping integrated machines or trailer pumps can reduce equipment costs by 30% to 50% compared to using large boom pumps. At the same time, by cooperating with EPDAS suppliers, you can also obtain more favorable prices and high-quality after-sales service, further reducing the overall project cost.
Concrete pumps enable the continuous and stable delivery of concrete, eliminating the construction joints and layering issues caused by intermittent pouring in traditional methods, thereby ensuring the integrity and uniformity of concrete structures.
In projects with extremely high concrete quality requirements, such as water conservancy dams, the continuous pouring advantages of concrete pumps are fully utilized, significantly enhancing the durability and safety of the project. According to testing, the strength uniformity error of dam structures poured using concrete pumps is controlled within an extremely small range, far exceeding industry standards.
Concrete pumps can achieve precise control of concrete pouring by adjusting the pumping pressure, speed, and boom position. In the production of precision components and decorative concrete construction, this ensures that the pouring thickness, flatness, and appearance quality of the concrete meet design requirements.
In summary, the advantages of using concrete pumps in construction are multidimensional and comprehensive. Whether in terms of ease of operation, construction efficiency, cost control, quality assurance, or safety protection, concrete pumps demonstrate unparalleled superiority. As the construction industry continues to develop, concrete pumps will undoubtedly play an increasingly important role in more fields, driving the industry toward higher levels of advancement.
EPDAS Pump’s Contribution to the Concrete Pump Industry EPDAS Pump leads in innovation, offering products and services designed to meet diverse construction needs. EPDAS’s concrete pumps are known for their unique features, including:
♦ Patented Anti-clogging Design
During concrete pumping, pipeline blockages have always been a difficult problem for construction companies, not only delaying construction schedules but also increasing costs. EPDAS’s patented anti-blockage design for concrete pumps features a unique internal structure that effectively prevents aggregate jamming and solidification in the concrete, ensuring continuous and stable flow of concrete within the pipeline.
♦ Highly Efficient and Superior Performance
EPDAS pumps are meticulously designed for performance, dedicated to providing efficient and precise concrete delivery solutions for construction projects. Their optimized hydraulic systems and power units significantly increase concrete delivery speed while maintaining precise pouring control, making them ideal for high-rise construction and long-distance delivery for large bridges. This helps construction companies save a significant amount of time and improve capital turnover efficiency.
♦ Outstanding Durability
EPDAS concrete pumps are manufactured using carefully selected high-grade alloy wear-resistant materials for core pumping components, combined with a nano-coating process that improves wear resistance by more than three times. Key structural components are made of duplex stainless steel and reinforced through vacuum heat treatment to meet protection standards.
♦ Customer Recommendations
EPDAS’s concrete pumps have earned the trust and praise of numerous contractors and project managers thanks to their outstanding performance. Feedback from many customers who have used EPDAS cement pumps indicates that the products are easy to operate, with new operators able to use them proficiently after only brief training. Their high efficiency significantly improves construction efficiency, helping projects to be delivered on time or even ahead of schedule. Furthermore, their extremely low maintenance requirements save construction companies a great deal of manpower and material costs.
In the construction engineering system, concrete pumps serve as core conveying equipment, and their technical parameters and equipment performance have a decisive impact on project implementation.
Selecting and configuring concrete pumps that meet project requirements is not only a necessary condition for achieving efficient construction processes and ensuring safe and standardized operations by workers, but also a crucial foundation for extending equipment lifespan and ensuring engineering quality.
Conversely, improper selection or unreasonable equipment configuration may lead to issues such as low construction efficiency and the emergence of safety hazards, causing severe impacts on project progress and economic benefits.
Low-quality pumps experience severe wear and tear on their components over extended periods of use. Frequent replacements not only increase maintenance costs but also degrade equipment performance and shorten the service life of the equipment.
In contrast, high-quality concrete pumps utilize high-strength wear-resistant materials and advanced manufacturing processes, enabling them to operate reliably in harsh construction environments. Take the EPDAS pump as an example: with its patented anti-clogging design, efficient hydraulic system, and durable structure, it consistently performs reliably in various complex projects, significantly reducing equipment replacement frequency and saving construction companies substantial costs.
Choosing a reliable concrete pump supplier, such as a high-quality brand like EPDAS, is an important way to obtain high-quality equipment. Not only does it provide concrete pumps with excellent performance, but it also covers professional after-sales service and maintenance guidance to ensure that the equipment is always in the best operating condition.
If you are considering getting a concrete pump, please contact EPDAS. There are various concrete pumps and some other concrete machines for you to choose. If you do not know how to choose for your own concrete business, we can recommend for you.
