mud snake
gillrod1 09-29-2011
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i am interested in some feedback on the mudsnake hose. if you have used one how did it work, can it handle a 4 to 5 inch slump. we have a 28 ft wall pour coming up and i need a hose about 24 feet long to go into the wall. any info will be great


rick5z 09-29-2011
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I LIKE IT, THE ONLY PROBLEM I HAVE SEEN IS I KEEP THE HOSE ROLLED UP ON THE DECK OF THE PUMP AND WHEN IN USE IT DOESN'T HANG STRAIGHT UNLESS I PUMP A LITTLE MUD THROUGH, AND THATS WHEN U HAVE TO DROP IT IN THE WALL SO IT DOESN'T GET HUNG UP ON ANY REBAR, OTHERWISE ITS GREAT


Step Brother 09-29-2011
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washing one out sucks. need a better idea than I had. If it kinks, you have zero time to shut it off. That far inside a wall will keep you on your toes. i have heard of them hanging on tie wire or rebar and when you lift it, you rip it out of the collar. good time for that safety strap to be on. Ive primed with it on, but had to slow it down scared i would blow it apart.

I never tried drier mud. I only used a 4" 20 footer with an 8 slump


greenguy 09-29-2011
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I have bought three 25' mud snakes this year for doing large structural wall pours. 

Things to watch for:

Don't let them kink or they'll jump out of the wall when they straighten themselves out (make sure you compensate for boom sag when turning on the pump).  

If your rebar mats are tight together (i.e. 4" or less), don't let the tip get into the concrete (tell your hose man or get up on the wall).  The snake will fill with concrete and expand against the rebar.  If this happens and its stuck in the wall, you'll need to crack the clamp to let some air in so it will drain.  We put a sling around it and used the crane to hold it up while we cracked the clamp.  Still messy......

Overall a good product.  We wore one out (got 2500m3 of 3" or less slump, 1.5" + agreggate, 40mpa).   It bulged about a foot below the crimp. The other two are in daily use.  About 3000m3 through each so far.  No crimps have let go, even with full pump pressure when kinked at the end (right up to 340bar on the pressure gauge).

Definitely a pain to wash.  It is very non stick though, so any remaining concrete just fell off once it hardened.


gillrod1 09-29-2011
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thank you guys for the feed back you have been very helpful . that has answered my questions

 


Dipstick 09-29-2011
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I prefer to go down in walls with a steel pipe.. Much easyer to get down and safer to..


biged 09-30-2011
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I made a little size for a wall hook but have not tested it, I can just see some dumb dumb trying to kink it and pop right in his face, and if it gets hung witch more than likey it will just cut it off, I like Dipstick  buy you a 4 inch thin wall steel tube about 20 ft long a put a 4 inch weldon on one in and go get it done.


FunnyBoom 09-30-2011
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The Mudsnake is wonderful, just take it easy on your prime as it can get wild. All the things these guys say are very true. Just stay alert and be ready on the switch in case it kinks or anything along those lines.. Just like any discharge hose as they get worn out the chance of problems goes up, make sure to inspect them before every use. Especially for bubbles, deep gashes or tears. If you're in a cold climate be prepared to fight with it and make sure you clean it good as well. If it doesnt get cleaned out good it is a pain in the a** to  roll up. 


Doug 09-30-2011
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They're dangerous and a good way to hurt someone. Why take on anymore liability?


FunnyBoom 09-30-2011
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Concrete pumping has all sorts of dangers.... As long as you're responsible it is no more dangerous than any other aspect of pumping concrete. I like the fact that it helps keep you on your toes as alot of operators are getting very complacent these days!


gillrod1 09-30-2011
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i would rather use a steal trimmie but i have to figure the weight to see if we can hold a 25 foot trimmie or not

 


Dipstick 10-01-2011
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Nicely said Funnyboom.  It keeps you on your tows.. Like that stuff... Good to take some risk some times.. Otherwize we get lazy and stop focusing..