Hire a truck-mounted boom pump when the pour is within the boom's reach and there is room to set up its outriggers; it places concrete quickly with little labour. Hire a stationary line pump when concrete has to travel far horizontally or high up a building through a pipeline. In both cases, agree the pumping quantity, the pipeline and who arranges the transit mixers before the pour day.
- Boom pumps: fast setup, placement by boom, limited by reach and outrigger space.
- Line (stationary) pumps: long horizontal and high-rise pours through a pipeline.
- Confirm the billing basis, the minimum quantity, and who supplies pipeline, labour and washout.
Truck-mounted boom pumps
A boom pump carries a folding placing boom. The operator moves the hose end over the pour, so few people are needed to place concrete. Boom pumps are sized by boom reach. Check the vertical and horizontal reach needed from where the truck can park, and the space and ground needed for outriggers.
Stationary line pumps
A line pump pushes concrete through steel pipeline laid to the pour. It suits high-rise floors, basements far from the road, tunnels and long horizontal runs. The pipeline has to be laid, supported, moved between pours and cleaned, so labour and time for this need to be planned.
Choosing between them
| Situation | Usually better |
|---|---|
| Slab or footing within boom reach, open access | Boom pump |
| High-rise floors above boom reach | Line pump, often with a separate placing boom |
| Long horizontal distance from the road | Line pump |
| Many small pours across a site in one day | Boom pump |
| No space for outriggers | Line pump |
The mix matters
Pumped concrete needs a pumpable mix: enough fines, suitable slump and an aggregate size the pipeline can carry. Agree the mix with your ready-mix supplier and tell the pump supplier the grade, slump and maximum aggregate size.
Points to agree in the quote
- Billing basis: per cubic metre with a minimum quantity, per pour, or per day.
- Pipeline: how many metres are included, extra pipe, clamps and bends, and who lays and removes it.
- Priming material, cleaning and the washout area on site.
- Waiting time if transit mixers arrive late, and how it is charged.
- Operator and helpers, and their hours.
If you also need ready-mix delivery, transit mixers can be quoted alongside.
When you know roughly what you need, request quotes on Clexen. Say what the pump has to do, and suppliers near your site will propose the right size; you can also browse what is listed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a boom pump and a line pump?
A boom pump places concrete with a folding boom on the truck. A line pump pushes concrete through a pipeline laid to the pour, which suits long horizontal runs and high-rise work.
How is concrete pump hire usually charged?
Commonly per cubic metre pumped with a minimum quantity, or per pour or per day. Check what pipeline, labour and waiting time are included.
What should I tell the pump supplier?
Pour volume, the distance and height from the pump position, the concrete grade, slump and maximum aggregate size, and site access.