In the second picture under the post pumping in the mountins why is the front end jacked up so much? is the truck actually level and i cant see it? or is there a reason the truck is unlevel? im still a rookie so im trying to ask as many questions as possible

The front end is jacked up so much because the truck started out on a steep downhill grade. The picture seems to have not been taken "straight" so it's hard to tell.  This is my opinion a dangerous set up for someone who's inexperienced but it is possible to do it safely. Another concern I didn't see mentioned was the mixers backing down to the pump. Though it's not always possible to avoid, mixers backing down to a pump is dangerous for many reasons. It's a situation I never enjoy.

In 99' I had gotten a brand new 118 for the company I worked for, The pump was about a week old and I was on a job in the Oakland hills. It was not really that steep of a hill but the driver was unfamiliar with the truck and could not stop the mixer, not only did he spill all over, he ripped the back splash right off and destroyed the whole hopper, I actually could not finish the job as I could not pump! fortunatly no one was hurt, and I saved the boom , and cylinders.We also were alble to get another pump to the job. It could have been worse, especialy If you had the front end jacked up in an unsafe manner, it would have been a disaster! That day inspired me to have a camera in the cab at all times.

OE-3

Part of my time as an operator was spent in the mountains of Colorado. Many of the pours were on very bad grades. There were times when I could not level the pump out because the transition would hit the ground before the front end was up to level; it was part of the job and demanded 100% of my attention.

Whenever I was in a situation like that I would always run up the hill and talk to the driver before he backed down to the pump. I have had drivers stay in the cab and have a second driver run the mixer. Some of the trucks would return to the plant because the drivers felt their trucks were not capable of staying in low/low or the driver was a rookie. Those pours took the best of the best from the pump company and the ready mix company. We planed the pour and then poured the plan.

The pour in those photos was in my opinion correctly done and poorly photographed.

There was more than just a few of those pours that I would not do; the one pictured was doable, and done right.

Bob,

I agree , Done Right .. photos can fool the eye like I have said before. I use my camera for fun mostly. They somtimes can be a valuable tool. Cameras can be handy if there is an accident or you want to document something. I have taken many photos that when I got home and reviewed them, they appeared different.

OE-3

John,I seem to remember keeping the turntable within 3 degrees of level.The swing brake and motor just can't work properly.As I recall the exact senerio happend in Seattle (same type set up) and mixer couldn't stop.Can you imagine (totaled) in the accident report.Another senerio,pump setting way uphill.The operator  on a 36m had 50' hose off tip on deck.He let the boom get to that point and it ran away.It pulled hose and all completly around hitting the mixer.I have (with huge contractor complaint) had mixers tie of to a loader with chain just in case as he was coming down.Hope it helped,good luck.

j.t.

just because that pour is safe for one operator does not make it safe for all.

stay within your own comfort level.   don't let anyone else tell you what it is.

one of our operators set up on a hill, he was backing up the mixer and when he told the mixer to stop the driver forgot to put on his air brake and it totaled ourhopper. I was just curious about the pic, i couldnt see the hill and it looked like the truck was unlevel. Pictures can be deciving though

A chilling thought came to mind reading that John.Operators need that survival instinct behind the pump.Listening for the maxi's being set,not full proof but a good start.When trucks are backing downhill a good practice is keep something handy for the one brakes alone can't hold.So hopper may well have been cheap considering the alturnitive.

Yeah I hate those set ups but, unfortunately for me they are fairly common. The only mixer truck that truly worries me is the first then I set up some of my dunnage as a chock for their wheels. It has helped on quite a few occasions.

I had one of those type jobs a year ago where we had this one smart@ss  driver that kept nailing his brakes and, skidding on the way down. I said something to me and, he said he was just playing around. I was close to hitting him but, I just talked to the rep and, the driver was gone soon after.