With the continuous advancement of technology, concrete pumping equipment is also constantly innovating and developing, and has become an indispensable part of modern construction. It can quickly deliver concrete to where it is needed, saving time and effort. There are two most common types of concrete pumps, one is a concrete boom pump truck and the other is a trailer pump truck. They have unique advantages and applicable scenarios.
The “long arm” of the concrete boom pump can reach very high and far, and is the first choice in many large construction projects, especially suitable for building high-rise buildings or large-scale projects; while the trailer concrete pump is more flexible and low-cost, suitable for small projects or crowded places. When choosing a concrete pump truck, in addition to considering the cost, factors such as the scale of the project, the height and distance of the pumping will affect the final decision.
The core part of the truck-mounted concrete boom pump is a retractable and rotatable mechanical arm that can deliver concrete directly to the location where it needs to be poured. This “arm” is very flexible and can swing up and down and left and right to deliver concrete to anywhere you want, such as high-rise buildings, bridges or large-scale construction sites. The operator can control the angle and length of the boom through a remote control to easily cope with different construction needs.
The pump truck has its own engine and does not need to rely on other vehicles to tow it. So it can drive to the construction site by itself, which is very convenient. It pumps concrete very quickly and is particularly suitable for use in high-rise buildings or large projects. The boom length of a concrete pump truck is usually between tens of meters and hundreds of meters, which can cover a large construction area. When you need to deliver concrete to a high place or a long distance, or the construction site is complex and difficult to construct with other methods, a boom pump is your best choice.
A trailer concrete pump is a concrete delivery equipment that needs to be towed by other vehicles. It is mainly composed of a concrete pump body, a delivery pipeline, a power system, and a control system. It does not have its own boom, but delivers concrete by laying pipelines. The trailer cement pump delivers concrete from the mixer truck to the pipeline through a pumping system, and then uses the pipeline to deliver the concrete to the pouring location. Since the trailer concrete pump has no boom, it usually needs to be connected to the delivery point through a fixed pipeline or hose.
Unlike the truck-mounted boom pump, the concrete trailer pump needs to rely on an external power source to provide the energy required for pumping, so the corresponding power generation equipment needs to be prepared. The trailer concrete pump has a relatively simple structure and can be hung on a trailer for movement. It has a low maintenance cost and is very suitable for construction sites with limited space or complex terrain. Although the pouring range and efficiency of the concrete pump are not as good as the boom pump, it is an economical and practical choice for small and medium-sized projects with limited budgets or limited space.
Among concrete delivery equipment, concrete pump truck and trailer concrete pump are two common choices. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages and are suitable for different construction environments and needs. It is very important to understand the difference between concrete boom pump and trailer concrete pump. The following two tables compare and summarize from multiple angles.
| Features | Concrete Boom Pump | Trailer Concrete Pump |
| Pumping distance and height | The boom design of the pump truck enables it to easily reach higher construction positions, and some models can reach dozens of stories high. The boom can be freely extended and rotated, covering a wide range. | The pouring height and distance are relatively limited, and manual assistance is usually required to lay and adjust the pipeline, which is suitable for shorter distances and low heights |
| Pumping efficiency | The pouring speed is fast and the degree of automation is high, which greatly improves the construction efficiency and is suitable for large-scale pouring. | More manual participation is required during the operation, the pouring speed is slow, and the efficiency is relatively low. |
| Flexibility | The pump truck has its own walking device and power system, which is highly flexible. The boom can be extended and rotated to adapt to various complex construction angles and height requirements. | It needs to be hung on a trailer for transportation, and its mobility and flexibility are poor, but it is also competent for work in flat terrain and small and medium-sized construction projects. |
| Operation difficulty | Only one operator is required to control the boom through a remote control. Although the operation is simple, the operator has high requirements and needs to be professionally trained and familiar with the operation methods and precautions of the pump truck. | The operation is relatively simple, and the skill requirements for operators are relatively low, which is suitable for ordinary workers. The pumping accuracy is low and depends on the operator’s experience. |
| Applicable scenarios | Suitable for large-scale and difficult projects, such as high-rise buildings, bridges, large factories, etc. In these projects, the flexibility and efficiency of pump trucks can significantly improve construction efficiency and quality. | Suitable for small and medium-sized projects, such as low-rise residential buildings, small commercial buildings, courtyards, road repairs, etc., in these projects, the economy and practicality of towed concrete pumps are more prominent. |
| Safety | Pump trucks are usually designed with safety performance in mind, have high safety, and are equipped with complete safety protection devices and safety facilities such as emergency stop buttons. | Its safety performance may not be as perfect as that of pump trucks, but it also has certain safety performance in design, such as emergency stop buttons, overload protection and other safety facilities. |
| Features | Concrete Boom Pump | Trailer Concrete Pump |
| Initial Investment Cost | The initial investment is high, and the purchase or rental cost is high, which is suitable for large projects with sufficient budgets. | The initial investment is low, and the purchase or rental cost is relatively cheap, which is suitable for small and medium-sized projects with limited budgets. |
| Maintenance and Care | The pump truck has a complex structure, and the maintenance cost is relatively high due to its own power system and travel device. However, in the long run, the return on investment of the pump truck may be higher. | The trailer concrete pump has a simple structure, no complex travel device and power system, and its maintenance cost is relatively low. |
| Operation Cost | The operating cost is high because efficient work requires more power support and complex operations. | Most of them are simple operations and maintenance, and the operating cost is low. |
| Applicable occasions | Suitable for large-scale and difficult projects with high efficiency requirements. | Suitable for small-scale construction with limited budgets. |
Before making a choice, you can ask yourself the following questions:
1. How big is my project?
2.What is my budget?
3.Is there enough space on the site?
4.Are my deadlines tight?
5.What is the height and distance of the pouring required?
6.Do I have professional operators?
7.Does the project need to be moved frequently?
Concrete boom pump trucks are very suitable for complex terrain and large-scale construction projects such as high-rise buildings, large bridges, and tunnels due to their flexible and efficient boom system and powerful pumping capacity. These large projects usually involve complex construction environments and need to transport concrete at high distances, special angles, and complex terrains. Boom pump trucks can effectively overcome special environments and provide efficient and stable pumping services.
For small and medium-sized construction projects or construction on flat terrain, such as paving the ground, parking lots, or other places that require a large amount of concrete paving, concrete pump trailer is an economical and efficient choice. Without the restrictions of complex terrain, trailer pumps are small in size, easy to move, can meet basic concrete delivery needs, and have low maintenance costs.
The boom pump has a fast pouring speed and a high degree of automation. It can quickly reach high places and long distances, reducing the time for concrete delivery. It is suitable for large projects that need to be completed quickly. It can reduce waiting and transportation time, and the construction period is usually short. Although the cement trailer pump is less efficient, it is low-cost and suitable for projects that do not require high time, such as residential buildings, small shopping malls, infrastructure maintenance, etc. It can be put into use quickly.
The operation of the boom pump is relatively complex, requiring professional operators to master the hydraulic control system and be able to accurately control the extension and rotation of the boom and the delivery of concrete. Boom pump trucks require professional training to ensure that operators can operate the equipment safely and effectively.
The operation of the small concrete pump is relatively simple. It is mainly responsible for the start, stop and pumping control of the equipment. The skill requirements for the operator are relatively low, and the training requirements are relatively few. It is suitable for operators with certain construction experience. You can take up your post through simple operation training, and the training cycle is short.
Because the concrete boom pump works at a very high place and is quite complicated to operate, there may be a high safety risk. If the equipment boom is improperly extended during operation, it may cause the equipment to tilt, the concrete pumping to be unstable, or even an accident. When choosing, you need to consider the safety performance of the equipment, the training level of the operator, and the safety management measures on site. Trailer pump trucks are usually used for lower buildings or flat construction sites, and their safety risks are relatively low. But when using it to deliver concrete, you still have to pay attention to controlling the pressure and not let the pressure be too high, otherwise the equipment may break down or the concrete may spray out and injure people.
Due to its complex structure, the boom pump truck may require more frequent maintenance, so we need to understand the maintenance cycle, cost and spare parts supply of the equipment, and choose a concrete pump supplier with a good after-sales service system to ensure that the equipment can be effectively repaired when it fails and reduce downtime.
EPDAS is China’s top concrete equipment manufacturer. We have a complete pre-sales, in-sales and after-sales service system, a global sales service network and advanced production and manufacturing technology to ensure that every equipment sold can perfectly solve customer needs. Customer recognition is very high. If you need to buy a concrete pump equipment, contact us now to get the latest quotation!
In construction, the choice of concrete pump directly affects the efficiency, cost and quality of the project. Through a detailed comparison of concrete boom pumps and trailer concrete pumps, we can clearly see that these two types of equipment each have their own unique advantages and applicable scenarios. When making a choice, you should consider multiple factors such as the actual needs of the project, cost budget, ease of operation, and safety risks to ensure that you choose the most suitable equipment that meets the project needs.
