What size concrete pump do I need?

Advertised size vs real reach

A '37 m boom' means roughly 37 m of total pipe on the arm measured vertically — not 37 m of horizontal reach at ground level. Once the boom is unfolded and working over obstacles, usable horizontal reach is typically 3–5 m less than the badge number, and reaching over a two-storey house eats more again. That's why operators always ask what's between the truck and the pour, not just how far away it is.

Common jobs and typical sizes

Driveway or small slab with clear access: 20–28 m. Standard house slab, truck parked on the street: 28–36 m. Pour over a single-storey house to a backyard pool or slab: 36–47 m. Deep setback, over a two-storey house, or large commercial slab: 47 m+. Tight site with no boom room at all: line pump instead — size stops mattering and hose length takes over.

The three numbers your pump company needs

1) Straight-line distance from truck parking to the furthest corner of the pour. 2) What the boom must reach over — fence, house, powerlines (powerlines can rule a boom out entirely; there are strict exclusion zones). 3) How many cubic metres you're pouring. With those three, any decent company will size the machine in a minute — and PumpX's job board asks for exactly these so quotes come back right the first time.

Quick answers

Is it cheaper to get the smallest boom that fits?

Rates do step up with boom size, but the steps are modest ($20–$50/hr between sizes). Going one size bigger than the bare minimum is cheap insurance against a repositioning fee — or a pump that can't finish the pour.

What if there are powerlines?

Tell the pump company immediately — booms must keep mandated clearance from live powerlines, and in many cases the job becomes a line pump job or needs the authority involved. Never let anyone 'just be careful' near lines.

How much room does a boom pump need to set up?

Roughly a truck-length parking spot plus outriggers extending 6–8 m side to side for mid-size booms, on ground that can take the load. Sloped or soft ground needs discussion first.

Keep reading

• What is a concrete pump and how does it work?
• Boom pump vs line pump — which one do you need?
• Types of concrete pumps: boom, line, trailer, city and static