What Is This Truck and What Are the Parts of a Concrete Boom Pump?
By PumpX Team ·
If a truck with a big folding arm and a funnel at the back has turned up on your street, it's most likely a concrete boom pump. I only have the post title, so I can't say what the poster saw. Here's a tour of what these trucks usually are and what each part does.
The short version
A truck-mounted boom pump moves wet concrete from a mixer truck to the place it's needed, which may be far away, high up, or over obstacles. The concrete goes into the hopper at the rear, a pump pushes it into a pipeline along the boom, and the operator steers the boom's tip with a remote control. For a full walkthrough of a typical job, see how a concrete pump truck works on a house slab.
Main parts
Chassis and cab. A heavy truck carries everything. The engine often drives both the road wheels and the hydraulic pumps that power the machine. Some owners run the pump from the truck's engine through a power take-off.
Hopper. The open receiving bin at the rear where the mixer truck discharges. A grate or screen usually sits on top to keep oversize lumps and objects out. An agitator inside keeps the concrete moving toward the pump.
Concrete pump unit. Typically two hydraulic cylinders that alternately push concrete forward and draw more from the hopper. A valve (often an S-tube or similar) switches the flow between cylinders. This is the heart of the machine, and the part most exposed to wear.
Boom. The hinged arm made up of sections. A pipe runs along it, with bends at the hinges. See boom sections and fold types.
End hose. A flexible rubber hose at the boom tip. The operator or a hose hand directs it onto the pour. Keep out from underneath it during pumping, as it can whip.
Turret. The rotating base on which the boom sits, letting it slew around.
Outriggers. The hydraulic legs that fold out and down to support the truck. They're essential for stability. See outrigger layouts explained and road plates.
Pipeline. Steel delivery pipe on the boom, plus extra sections or hoses that can be added. Many rigs also carry spare pipe and sponge balls for cleaning.
Water tank and wash gear. Water for priming and cleaning out. This ties into washout planning; see planning a washout area.
Controls. Usually a wireless remote handled by the operator, plus controls on the truck for emergencies and set-up. Modern rigs have electronic limits and monitoring.
What it does not do
A boom pump doesn't mix concrete. The concrete arrives in ready-mix trucks, and one or more may queue to feed the hopper. Some people confuse the two, as a mixer truck has a rotating drum at the back, and a pump has a hopper and boom. Our post on whether concrete trucks have pumps clears that up.
Alternatives that look similar
- Line pump (trailer or small truck). No folding boom; uses hoses on the ground. See what a line pump is.
- Concrete mixer truck. Has a rotating drum and chute, not a boom.
- Crane or cherry picker. Lifts people or loads, not concrete via a pipe.
- Fire truck with aerial ladder. Rarely mistaken once you see the pipe along the arm.
For more on telling these apart, see what is this concrete pump machine.
Rough pricing
Boom pump hire is usually charged with a call-out fee plus an hourly or per-metre rate, with minimum hours. It varies a lot by region, size and time of day, so get a few quotes. A baseline from the rate calculator helps.
Safety around the truck
- Stay out of the boom's slewing area and under the end hose.
- Don't stand in front of the hopper while it is working.
- Keep everybody away from outriggers during deploying.
- Never let any part of the boom near overhead powerlines.
- Keep your hands, fingers and clothing away from the hopper agitator.
Reading the markings
Most pump trucks carry the owner's name and phone number on the cab or boom, and a model badge near the turret or hopper. The badge often includes a number such as the rated reach in metres, for example "32" or "47". Makers like Putzmeister and Schwing have their own naming schemes, so the badge is the quickest way to find the exact specs. If you are curious about a specific model, the machines library is a good place to look it up, and a quick call to the company on the door will usually get you a friendly answer about what the job was.
Key takeaways
- A boom pump has a hopper, pump unit, boom, outriggers and pipeline on a truck chassis.
- It moves concrete, it doesn't mix it.
- The operator controls the boom from a remote.
- The hose, hopper and outriggers are the main hazard points.
- Without the photo, identification is general, so check markings on the truck.
Need to hire one? Compare local operators on PumpX: /services.
Original question on Reddit: r/whatisit: What is this truck used for???