To clean out of course! I have a line pump if this makes any difference. We are currently using a soft ball, and although it is doing the job, it seems to be taking more time then it should. Thanks for any advice!

You must have bought a slow pitch softball!

What brand of line pump are you running,is it a S-tube or Ball Valve and what size hose are you using.

We have a brand new Putz PTO VS70. Our rubber hoses are 2.5"

If its soft that good just put it in a bag like a garbage or grocery bag preferably. Tie the end  and suck slowly with your hand over the end of the hose off and on and it will come back everytime. Just remember to wet the mud up a little at the end. Judge how much line you have and how much you need to wet up with out messing up the job. It doesnt have to be piss ass wet but just easier tosuck back. Good luck and remember to rap you ball before going in. If you still have a hard time put a little soap on the bag for slippage threw the line.

Try a go devil with a water cap ( DO NOT USE "AIR" ) works great! ill find a pic later unless someone posts it 1st.

If none of those ideas work, use some balled up old socks.  Does the same thing, and if you've got some old socks to get rid of, works great.  I use them on my old thompson thomkat.  five gallons of water, a ball a socks, and five more gallons.  works every time, with 2.5 or 3 inch gear.

Why not just suck a garbage can (A new one) full of water back??..easily done,easily had,super easy wash out!!!!...Hell I hav e done it with a wheel barrow and about 100 foot of 3 inch...Best way I could come up with and not have several piles of concrete in the building,Also I had an Eco-Pan under the ass of my 39...I was running through a Church,So I did not want to make a mess of any kind!!

Of course that wont work if you have been pumping down hill!!..LOL

I sucked back line that was down hill it really depends on how good of a seal you have at the pump aswell as your clamps. Although i rarely used clean out balls at all i would soak the cement bag that we use to prime and use that to suck back or blow out the line.

The possibilities of sucking back to me depends on experience and the seal of the pump and clamps no bs i did a pour in 2006 when i ran a Putzmiester TS2070 i sucked back 300 ft of line 75 ft of it 3 inch and the rest 4 inch. You be surprised how much suction a pump has through mong set ups as long as all the connections are sealed good.

Secret Squirrel I am assuming useing a pressure washer? I would like to see a pic if you have one. Terry

most of us do not use a ball on small line, ya if its hooked up to a water cap that does a nice job. so how much bucks did the truck mount PTO set you back and what kind of work are you getting to pay for it.

tennis balls works great through 2.5 hose's.use them all the time,clean as whistle.

we wash out the hopper and fill with water,open grate and stick ball in material cylinder and pump it out.

Pumper Chuck, I hope that the accumulator dumps when you lift the grate. Otherwise you're hankering to play a pretty authentic pirate on Halloween. And even if it dumps, you are still not 100% safe unless the PTO is disengaged or the engine shut off.

 Well since you asked... If you're suckin balls through hose then you're gonna want soft balls.

 If it's taking too long try putting some water behind the first sponge ball with another sponge behind that. Also be sure the first hose off the reducer is a good solid hose that wont collapse.

 If all your clamps & gaskets are air tight and it still wont suck a ball through good stout hose you may need piston heads. Watch your back water level in the water box. If it drops after/during sucking a ball back it's time for some new heads. Hopefully not but it's something to check?

pumpjockey. i only do this on our rineart line pump with engine off and  presure dumped.we have low output water pump so it takes forever and a day to fill hopper,unless of course mixer driver helps out.GOOD EYE THOUGH.  

would you believe that i found a kids fun noodle on the street and it was a perfict 2.5 inch, well i cut them into short lengths and have a couple floating around from years ago.

so chuck about your slow water like from a well at three minutes a gallon. i use 50 gallon ag tank and 1.25 vacume hose that i have $150- bucks into, just fill it on the job while you are pumping.  

ya the three min a gallon pump and 100 gallon agg tank. no shortage of water just vveerrrryyyy slow.