i was looking at schwing options for their boom pumps and one of the options is auto grease for boom

does anyone have this feature on their pump and how does this option preform?

You hit on a topic that is one of my least favorites. Auto greasers on booms do not do anyone a favor.

When an operator or mechanic takes a grease gun and greases a boom he knows what is getting greased. He also has an opportunity to look at all of the pipe brackets all of the pin retainers. You get familiar with the overall condition of your boom.

I have watched companies with auto greasers on their booms. It is a shame. Who really knows if the boom is getting greased? Who knows if the greaser is even working? Most, if asked, must go look because it is so far out of their mind that they have no idea what so ever.

When you manually grease a boom you know that it is done. CHECK

When you have an auto greaser on a boom what do you really know?

well said Bob.  A driver/operator of any piece of equipment who does his own greasing knows the condition of that equipment better than anyone. 

I like the auto greaeser for the back end but would rather do the boom myself, why the back end, well when u washup hit the button, if you dont see grease then you have a problem.

I agree with the auto grease on the back end it is convenient. You need to see the grease every job to push out the grout or you will have a problem. I also agree with Bob on doing the boom manually so you can have a visual inspection of the boom.

I grease my truck too, rolling around underneath is a good way to keep on top of problems....while under neath I check my fluid levels, PTO, rear ends, brake check, and all the typical DOT stuff and etc....a habit from my logging days.

Once upon a good long time ago I worked for a company that ran a bunch of Titan concrete pumps. We could not figure out how to make the poorly designed shafts on the concrete valves last. After much searching we found that the printing industry was way out in front of the curve on lubricating bearings automatically. So we bought a Lincoln 'Centromatic' system and put it on the valvr bearings, and later the aggitator bearings. It was less than perfect, but did help extend the life of the bearings and seals. About that time ELBA made a showing in the US market with what was basicly the same pump cell and valve, but with a valve shaft that had a larger diamater... which helped. Since they had the same problems they took the idea and ran with it; and improved it.

Like any good idea in our, or any other industry, it was adopted by others and is now pretty much an industry standard.

Since I have watched this auto greaser program from its infancy and seen what works, and what some claim works, I can say that my belief is, and shall remain, until more advancement in the technology proves otherwise, NOT A BELIEVER in auto boom greasing systems. ;~)

PS

i don't think much of auto brake adjusters either ;~)

If you can't see new grease coming out of your bearings and fittings its not getting greased, something a auto system can't do yet. think about it

point taken , ive  been greasing manually for 7 years hopper and boom , but because were going to order a new pump , i thought we might take the option of auto grease system on boom and hopeer

We have it and it has come along ways since it came out, we still have boom boy go over it but it is worth it so far. Get tired and miss a few you are only human. Now ACPA rules say dont work till your tired hehe well? Then again don't trust the system 100% neither And regularly fill the reserveve at a third left and it stays healthy.

how does it work,

or when is the best time to use it

when boom unfolded folded etc.. flat stick A frame slewing etc..

A pressurized grease gun of sortes, fill the chamber and it pumps grease to the points at timed intervals, the manufacturer sets the times. They eat grease But we find them a great backup if not the best way to insure grease.

Work a long shift then climb the boom tired or hire someone that forgets or is lazy, all factors when we get the system.

Our shop still greases on a regular basis, so it is just added insurance. We found the newer systems pretty effective.