hose whipped
pumpon 09-09-2008
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was resetting up a boom  and when came to start pumping again hose whipped violently , knocked hose man to ground sprayed concrete everywhere, hose man was ok,

any suggerstions why this happened, and how to prevent this ever


mrmike36z 09-09-2008
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I assume you were moving on the same job site. I always make sure the hose gets shook empty before I fold up and checked again before I start pumping. When I do resume pumping I do at low volume just to make sure. I seem to have more trouble with this when low slumps (4 and less) are used. Just start out slow with no hose man just to be safe.

Mudslinger 09-09-2008
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PumpOn: Did you reverse the pump for any reason? Sometimes air will get sucked through a gasket (remember they are designed to keep concrete in) and will compress it, resulting in a blowout! I move with concrete in the boom and use a fanbelt to fold the hose! Use it in a figure 8 and it wont come loose easily

dieselman 09-09-2008
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When I move my pump, or when I used to....I would take the hose off, cap the reducer, fold up, reset and pump back into my hopper slowly with no hose on at first to make sure there is no trapped air in the boom. Most if the crews will not mind you taking the time to do this.

pumpon 09-09-2008
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yes mudslinger i did reverese the pump a few strokes to help empty the boom a bit

toper 09-09-2008
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now this is comming from a rookie so any responses would be  appreciated, any time i move i pump down the hopper empty then reverse till its full, fold up and move ,reset up then when im ready to pump again i start real slow  about 25% volume and make sure i tell the crew their is air in the line, after a few hoppers or so i resume at regular speed.

Mudslinger 09-09-2008
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Toper Be careful not to pump TOO much out of the hopper,or you won't have enough to re-circulate. I leave about 3/4 in the hopper,a-frame,to drain some then fold my hose over!

Many 09-09-2008
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A not to uncommon problem for us.

An extremly good rule of thumb is follow initial priming procedures,hose free from men.Just because mud was through hose it's still a live grenade.

I can only say following this will help keep you out of harms way.

Good Luck


Joe 09-09-2008
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whether you are priming out or moving and restarting alwyas make sure no one is near your whip hose 1 to 1 rule minimum.12ft whip +12ft min distance between your whip and hose man...I prefer 16 - 20 ft of room just to be safe

onmyown 09-10-2008
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I usually pump down then suck ball back up hose a bit so concrete don't spill all over the deck of my pump or on the boom then when I reset I pump forward this blows the ball out and alittle bit of mud before I move boom to wall or slab.

Raymond 09-10-2008
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Here's sumpin' fun to try...after resetting and you're ready to start the pump, place your hand under the discharge hose and pump a stroke or two IN REVERSE!!!and feel for some suction...

dieselman 09-11-2008
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Hey Raymond, I do that very same thing in the bathroom too!

Bob 09-11-2008
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Raymond

When I ran a pump my first stroke was always in reverse. It usually cleared a problem before it was a problem. I don't know why this is not everyday standard procedure


pudg 09-12-2008
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I do what OWNMYON said and it always works safely for me,but also if I have been sitting I will always make the hoseman backoff until I get a good flow of concrete out of the hose  

Bob 09-12-2008
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I will always make the hoseman backoff until I get a good flow of concrete out of the hose 

That is the LAW!

To disobey it is to risk injury or death to others.