I just read the bashing post and responses regarding set-ups ect... I want some opinions on setting up outside of 3deg. I have in the past set up outside of 3 deg but never more than 5deg out of level. Not side to side or the cab lower than the back, but the back end lower than the front and working over the front of the cab. Is this a practice I should stop? I have heard stories of turret brakes not holding and booms running away. In your opinions is 5deg to far out???

If you can get it to 5 deg, you can get it to 3 deg.

I think a ‘blanket answer’ without qualification is not a good idea.

Think about the logic/reasons for the manufacturer’s rule.

1.       When the boom pump is set-up within the 3 deg, the load on the boom is imposed from top to bottom as it is designed to be loaded. When you take a grossly out of level machine and swing the boom 90deg from either the highest or lowest point, the load is not ‘top to bottom’ but rather through the corners of the boom sections. This can’t help the longevity. At the same time you are stressing the pins and bushings other than the way they were designed to work.

2.       If a slewing brake or other load holding device on the slewing system were to malfunction while within the 3 deg limit; the boom would either move very slowly or not at all. If however you were at [I have seen this] 22 deg out of level, the velocity of the runaway boom would be much greater and capable of more damage and reduce the operator’s reaction time to avert any disaster.

3.       If, for example you were short rigged; operating out of level could lead to a rollover.

4.       If you had, within the radius of your boom, a crane, building or worse yet a POWER LINE; operating out of level would be a foolish act.

If it was just you, the lone ranger, in the middle of a corn field……… out of level might not hurt

BUT IT WOULD STILL NOT BE VERY SMART.

I am just a guy with some experience and a strong respect for the engineers that design our machines. Have I ever set-up out of level, yeah. Was it a good idea, and do I teach it to trainees? HELL NO !

That is my opinion, for whatever it is worth to you

Please be careful ;~)

"If you can get it to 5 deg, you can get it to 3 deg."

To answer this statement...

I don't man to rip off a campaign slogan but:

Yes we can.

another thing that kind of goes along with this....when your cab is higher than the hopper, facing uphill etc. do you guys jack the back wheels off the ground? personally i try to leave them on the ground as much as possible to utilize the brakes and keep the hopper lower for the rm trucks and obviously still try to set up within my 3 deg.

We've had customers bring in pumps that were set up very out of level. It destroyed the slewing motor/brake. Is it really worth it, I think the bills were many many thousands.

baddassduramax

Sometimes the best place for part of your dunnage is under the rear tires or to act as wheel chocks.

When the pump is set-up and ready to pump, you are good to go. The contractor may have to fashion a ramp of some sort to get the RM truck elevated.

You are always, at all times responsible for your set-up. Not the terrane of the job site.

I was taught that you set the front outriggers first, keeping the rears on the ground to provide braking,then set the rear outriggers just enough to support the weight without lifting the tires off the ground. Also ,DO NOT put visqene under the rear tires on a hill!! We had an operator do that to hold down the plastic,and when he lifted the outriggers,the truck slid into the customers pickup! The operator said his first instinct was to get in front of the pump to try to stop it from sliding as it was heading for the next house down the hill,which was VERY steep! The pickup lodged into the curb,which stopped the pump!

I dont know if a Schwing or P*********R works different in USA than Europe .

My manual says that the rearwheel shall hang in the air (use wheel chocks,front or rear) and max 3 deg of level...They teach it at PM Academy in Aichtal .

And We have it in our terms (PV01) that the pump should be placed within 3 deg of level with the suportleg and the original dunnage the pump is deliver with . Not 2´-5´ of cribbing !

But We have the same problems as You have , how many times is it so ? But I can go back to the yard without anyone get mad and fire Me ! The contractor use to fix a levelplace when You tell him he must pour it with hose on the ground ( I use to tell them that the mud they use must have 4" hose!)

As level as possible! Anything more than 3 degrees and your causing material fatigue to many areas of the boom. Think about the safety of everyone thats on or under a boom through-out ITs life.

Sit down with a die-cast pump model, unfold it out of level....See?

take the time to get her level. small boom is still alot stick to go free.  how can anyone bitch when all know a pump needs a suitible setup spot.  a stable pump will make up the time.

"Material Fatigue" also applies to the guys that boom over a "short-rigged" outrigger because "their not booming out very far" THEY ARE ENGINEERED to be fully deployed, with interior box-frame re-inforcments. This could cause them to fail and buckle someday for no apparent reason.

Just cause it can, does'nt mean do.

with telescopik out riggers,  all the way out  -  or all the way in is the rule i go by.

the reinforcement is on both ends of the box-frame, is it not?

but the post is of 3 degrees.  do what has to be done, saftly, and get that pump level.  not a fan of lifting or putting anything under rear axles.

ShortStik

F Y I

All those 2x4 do is keep your pad off of the dirt. They have no value as dunnage.

nice looking rig ;~)

i wasnt worrying about ground, set on a mountain.  was a brick driveway, made the home owner happy.  couple million dollor home and all...

Not all outriggers are made with box-ed frames, though all the way in or out is good to go by, i'd rather have opposing outriggers out a little bit rather than not at all, but yes as long as they are not the box-ed type.

typesdubs

The reference to 'box' does not refer to the extending beam, the reference is to the portion of the outrigger structure that contains the extension piece. The weak spot on the "fixed box" is the bottom plate - center.

http://www.concretepumpers.com/pdfs/05003_shortrigbulletin.pdf

I know what you're talking about Bob, not all outriggers are designed like this though

 Out of level means torque, or twisting of the boom parts.The elbow on your arm is designed to bend in a certain way,bend it in the wrong way and see what happens.

if its not within 3 degrees your putting wear on parts of your equipment unneccesarily,youll get away with it for a while but when it bites you man its gonna hurt,swing brakes are famous for giving out while in this position causing severe damage to anything in its path and when mr. insurance shows up and you are negligent in your setup your company probably will be  paying out of there pocket for damages and you will probably be looking for work elsewhere