Masonry Magazine April 1998 Page. 26
Concrete/Grout Pumps
Continued from page 15
wet gunning, which cuts down on air pollution-job-sites. Wear parts are also designed to be cheaply and easily replaced, making many pumps' cost of operation extremely low.
Saves Time, Saves Money. Using five-gallon baskets for cement may have saved time in ancient Egypt when the pyramids were built, but today's masonry contractors need to know that a much better option is available. Think about the time and effort wasted in lugging five-gallon buckets up ladders. With today's pumps, what used to take all day can now be done in two to three hours. A good pump is capable of pumping up to 100 feet vertically and over 500 feet horizontally, making it ideal for block-fill operations and allowing easy access to job-sites. Why turn away work when simply owning your own pump will provide you with the ability to complete jobs quickly and with superior results. It is not uncommon for a good pump to handle 1/2" minus aggregate and stiff, low-slump, with output of up to 25 cubic yards per hour, performance far superior to your normal five-gallon bucket.
Exceptional Results. When pumping redi-mix or grout, mechanical concrete pumps deliver a higher quality, more consistent material. These pumps often catch the shortcomings in the mix and compensate for them. For masonry work, one of the newer pump designs can be a life-saver. They produce stronger, more durable walls for superior-quality construction.
Today's pumps also offer solutions to an ever-growing problem. In many areas, 3/8" pea gravel is in short supply, making it necessary to use crushed, over-sized aggregate. Some pumps have a loop-type manifold with smaller valves that cannot handle this material efficiently. By contrast, new pumps, such as Mayco's C30HD, with its direct gravity flow and larger valving, is fully capable of pumping this type of aggregate easily and effectively. It's not uncommon to pump extraneous pieces of aggregate even larger than 1/2" without blocking or plugging the pump.
Why Ask Why? The question remains: Why buy a concrete/grout pump? Why not rent one, or contract out the pumping portion of a job? Again, keep your eye on the big picture. Progressive, profit-minded contractors know that owning a pump has incomparable benefits.
For example, when you own the pump, you control the pour. You're not hampered by someone else's schedule, and you can control the rate at which you pour. Sometimes, pumping contractors are in a hurry to "get the mud out" and move on. Owning a pump ensures that the job is done properly and to your specifications.
Probably the most important factor in whether or not a contractor buys a pump is cost. But consider this-a pump literally pays for itself in one season. How much money have you spent over the past year renting a pump or hiring another contractor to do the job for you? When you buy a pump, you get a piece of equipment that's built to outperform and outlast any other pump on the market. And since you will now be in the enviable position of owning a great machine, you can even have a pumping business on the side for when you are not using your pump, further increasing profits.
Qualities of a Good Pump: There are quite a few mechanical concrete/grout pumps out on the market today, and choosing the one that's right for you is important. Factors to consider when choosing a pump are engine type, a durable centrifugal clutch, a central lubrication system, remote operations, steel outer-body for ruggedness, volume control, easy access to inner parts, and reducers. Check out the manufacturer's specifications before purchasing a pump.
Should you buy your own concrete or grout pump? That depends. If you're Continued on page 31