Care and Maintenance of a Concrete Pump

October 10, 2002

by Kris Garrison

Everybody knows that clean machinery works better and lasts longer than neglected machinery.

To illustrate the importance of maintaining a clean concrete pump, Blaine Green, Monolithic Equipment Manufacturing Manager, tells this story:

A gentleman called me one day and said, "I've got me a 2-inch pump I just bought. NO, wait, I bought a piece of concrete, and, as I chipped away at it, I found a two-inch pump under it. Now I need to know what to do with it to make it run right."

If neglected, concrete pumps can turn into a costly heap of reinforced concrete. Proper care and maintenance is extremely important.

Items in need of Maintenance

Peristaltic Hose

Lubricate Hose

The peristaltic hose will last longer if lubricated during use.

• Spray outside of hose with Armor-All Tire Protectant (Original formula, NOT foam).
• As carousel is turning, spray the Armor-All into it.
• If pumping all day, lubricate the hose twice.

Clean Hose

• After using the hose and while pump is running, wash and rinse the inside and outside with water and sponges. Clean off sides.
• To clean the inside of the hoses, put a large sponge in the hopper and let the pump take it in, for a short distance. Then put a second sponge in. Follow with a third sponge. By the time the third sponge is in, sponges 1 and 2 will be coming out the end of the hose.
• If you fail to clean the hose in this manner, in time, concrete will set up and cause major problems. It's imperative that all debris on the inside of the pump and hoses be cleaned out.
• Once the pump and hoses are cleaned out for the day, let dry. Re-lubricate with Armor-All.

Bolts

Periodically, check and tighten bolts that hold the chain inside the pump.

Hydraulic Oil Filter

This filter needs to be changed as needed.

Inside the Carousel

• If there is a problem pumping, there is a possibility you need to either add a "shim" or take a "shim" out. Once the pump is set properly, the shims should never be adjusted. The object is to close the hose. Take the wall thickness on the hose itself and double it. That will give you the distance between the press roller and the radius of the back of the pump.
• Push rollers can be greased inside the push wheels. For safety, turn off the pump when greasing push rollers.

Set Screws

• If set screws are loose, align and tighten.
• Check all screws on carousel periodically.

Bearings

Be sure to grease all bearings properly, according to standard greasing procedures.

Hopper

To maintain a clean hopper during a concrete-spraying project, scrape the hopper's inside after every 3 to 4 batches of concrete, so large concrete pieces do not set up inside the hopper and get pulled into the hose, causing it to clog.

With a little elbow grease and water, concrete pumps can be well maintained.

177 Dome Park Place - Italy, TX 76651
Tel (972)483-7423 - Fax (972)483-6662
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