Can somebody help these poor souls?
Todd 08-06-2007
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Mr Bullis:
 
We are building a complete ICF house in the foothills outside Calgary, Alberta, and have run into a MAJOR snag.
 
We have poured footings, foundation, and first floor walls. However, when we went to pour the second floor walls, the concrete pumper driver refused to cross a load limit bridge on the only road in to the site. (Load limit is 15T for single units, 25 for unit with trailer). We can still get half full concrete tandem units across, but without the pumper we'll be hauling buckets. I guess pictures of bridges falling into the Mississippi have that effect on people. We have spoken to other companies, as well as local and provincial authorities, and no one will cross the bridge or give us permission to do so. We suggested putting the pumper on a flatbed, but apparently any combination of pumper and trailer is still going to be overweight.
 
Our builder claims that a line pump will not lift the concrete up to second floor height. In addition, because of an earlier problem, the foundation will not be completely backfilled for some time, so any pump cannot get closer than about 25' to the house. Without a boom, we apparently can't pour the next set of walls. Is there any piece of equipment that you are aware of that will solve our problem? ( Weighs less than 15 tons, Horizontal lift about 25 feet and vertical lift about the same). Is there a local expert that you know who might be able to offer suggestions?
 
Ted and Holly Bain
Prairie Pumper 08-06-2007
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 Yeah Whatever, a line pump will lift it 25 feet! Your builder just doesn't want to drag hoe around. I did a job not to long ago that had that much incline in about 340 feet of hose, no problem, I was pushin about a thousand psi on my hydralics. If it was practical and payed enough, I would go do it myself! LOL!
hammah 08-06-2007
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i had a pour once 100 ft on flat and 5 stories up a trailer pump does jobs booms cant your situation sounds easy for a trailer pump i agree that your contractor probly doesnt want to drag hoses
Spolee 08-06-2007
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Trailer pump will do it easy.  They do blockfill jobs all the time. 


Many 08-07-2007
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A small line pump will deffinatly work.Not knowing your mix designs but would consider a pea gravel mix useing 2" hose.By this time the main level floor is probably in place (joists and decking).By useing a scaffold on wheels you can make a relitive easy pour.It will require a little extra manpower but can be done.
38zman 08-08-2007
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Hello

If you are looking too get a boom pump I know of one company there that would tell you if they could figure out a way to get a boom pump accross that bridge. Contact Kerridge Concrete in Calgary and ask to have Ernie to come and look at the bridge and the site he is the best operator I have ever met. It might cost you more but he knows his stuff. I am guessing that you are pumping 32mpa with 10 mm stone I know that the codes in alot of places in Alberta have been bumped to 32mpa because of soil and what not. If it turns out that you can only get a line pump accross contact Troy from Klassen Concrete. He will do concrete work that others are affraid of but he is not cheap but you get what you pay for his number is 403 540 1029. I know both of these companies and they wont bs... you.

Let me know if you use either of them.
79xlch 08-09-2007
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I am more than likely too late but.... according to my line pump specs it will pump 300 feet vertically and 1200 feet horizontally.
Bob 08-09-2007
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Smart boom pump owner, lazy contractor.
Slavedattler 08-12-2007
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Hehe shore the bridge. Engineer of course. Thats not the only pour at that point. And yes smart pump company.