When it comes to concrete placement for construction projects, efficiency and speed can be the deciding factor. That’s where concrete pump hire steps in – bringing speed, accuracy, and cost-efficiency to the equation. If you are working on a project in Melbourne, one of the first decisions you will need to make is whether you should use line pumps or boom pumps. Both have their pros and cons and the choice of which method to use depends on site conditions, size of pour and ease of access.
In this blog, we’ll outline the major differences between line and boom pumps and help you make the right decision for your next project.
What is a Line Pump?
A line pump (also referred to as a trailer pump) is a small and multipurpose piece of concrete pumping equipment. It uses flexible or steel hoses that are connected manually to guide the concrete to the desired place.
Best for:
- Residential work such as driveways, patios, pool surrounds
- Smaller construction worksites
- Confined areas or restricted space locations
- reduced horizontal separation distances
Pros:
- Less expensive than boom pumps
- Easy to set up and move around
- Great for low-volume pours
Cons:
- Slower than boom pumps
- Requires more human effort to deal with hoses
- Less favourable for big commercial projects
Line pumps are well suited for smaller jobs or in applications where you have limited access to your site.
What is a Boom Pump?
A boom pump is a truck-mounted concrete pump with an articulated robotic arm (or “boom”) that can place concrete exactly where you need it – usually at heights or over obstructions.
Best For:
- Large commercial projects
- Multilevel pours and tall buildings
- Jobs involving working above a structure or reaching up
Pros:
- Fast and efficient pouring of concrete
- Low manual labour input required
- Can work on difficult or hard-to-reach areas with ease.
Cons:
- More expensive to hire
- Requires enough space to install.
- Fails in tight and low clearance sites.
A boom pump is usually the way to go when your project is heavy and requires the use of high or large quantities of concrete.
How to Select the Right Option
Regarding a line and boom pump, the following are some factors to be considered:
- Project size: Line pumps are cheap and can be used in small pours or in residential projects. A boom pump is faster and requires less labour on bigger and complex jobs.
- Site Access: When your site is hard to reach or space is limited a line pump can offer more flexibility.
- Budget: Line pumps are less expensive compared to the rest and are therefore preferred where the project has a very low budget.
- Height and Reach: Boom pumps would be extremely helpful when filling concrete on higher levels or over walls.
Concrete Pump Hire Melbourne
They are both available locally and you can easily obtain a good one to suit your project. When hiring concrete pumps in Melbourne, you should find a reputable company that has well-maintained machines and experienced personnel.
It could be a line pump in a backyard project or a boom pump on a high-rise pour; you can count on a professional concrete pump operator to place your concrete efficiently, safely, and most importantly, as efficiently as possible.
Final Thoughts
The choice between a line and boom pump is largely dependent on your construction site and project. They all have advantages and disadvantages, which you should be aware of before getting down to work to avoid wasting time, money and having to make a comeback to complete the task.
And never forget that the first consideration on any worksite should be safety. Working safely around a hired concrete pump in Melbourne can help ensure that your crew remains safe.
Need an answer to a question regarding safety tips when working around a hired concrete pump? You can call your local concrete pump specialists to provide concrete pump advice on your Melbourne project.
