i run a cifa 36, still new to operating a boom but does it really matter if your boom is in the z or a-frame to prime?

Ditto, It really does not matter. If you are used to priming in a A-frame that is fine but if you want to try Z run it through a little faster you will find that helps... Just remember it is just rock and steel and if anything goes wrong while priming blame it on the spinner driver. EASY MONEY.

Ditto,

You can prime anyway you want as long as you have enough prime.

my personal preference is to keep all sections in as vertical a position as possible.... whether that be a Z, A-frame, three up one down whatever, I find when any of the boom sections are horizontal I have much less success priming out (when using only water)... or you could just throw a nice big bucket of grout in there and go with pretty much any boom formation you can think of... :)

Well in my head Priming in a "Z" worries me the reason is..when the rock and water out front hit the peak of each section and the FALL back down into the elbows and then sit and wait to be shoved back up to the top of the next section only to FALL once agin that to me just seems like an awesome way to get packed off.I oersonally like a straight shot Up and then a straight shot back down,the change in direction in a "Z" causes concern for me...Its all in my head I'm sure but thats just the way it seems to me..I like A-Framed priming

I'am thinking like WHO?? When I had a Schwing 23-4 and was doing job inside a building and I could not A-frame the boom I was having a rockpack after the mud had falling down and should go up again . ( with water-prime) If I didn't get slurry or grout I had the boom straight , then it worked with water- prime . I doing the same with My Putz 46-5 , water A- frame or straight , Z slurry or some primer .

u can water prime in the z. i have done it and seen many people do it. if u are new to a boom tho i would maybe a frame in and get used to that first but thats just me.

i water primed my 60m all folded up except the tip. no problem. i always prime my 28z in a z. dont matter it almost always comes out except when tools come out of the mixer drum and get stuck in the turret

Bri I never thought of what you just said that makes a lot of sence, so what you said about priming out did you mean leave the boom folded up flat ,or standing up.

Well on the 60 it was up. But the 28 you can leave it folded up swing it out of the cradle drop your tip hose and prime it out. Clean pipe equal easy smooth primes no matter what size boom it is.

Reduce the water when you prime in Z, about half you use in A and speed it up to about 50-75%. I believe many people can reduce water even with A priming...

sucking back two sponges nice and slow with lots of water in between will make priming much easier as well

Bri I will try that on my 32 the next time we pump it makes a lot of since can you clean out the same way suck a sponge real slow.

Prime 32z in cradle all the time. when I'm set up inside a building and cant position boom, to pump back into truck, i will suck the sponge with the boom in the cradle. always try to suck sponge as slow as possible. Trying not to collapse the sponge will always wipe the boom pipe better. I generally run into problems when the mixer driver driver feels he doesn't have to try and keep hopper from sucking air on the prime! I try to make the habit of informing the first mixer truck driver of my intent, so they aren't the reason for my frustrations first thing in the morning. lol

i find your better off to prime flat then up - down - up - down.  little less water, a little more volume.  its the down - up that will kill you everytime priming with water.

16 cell, got two spong balls roped up and works like a champ.  thx for shareing :)

yes u can suck a ball back folded up make sure you circulate wet mud first. if the mud is dry it wont work. plastic bags over the sponge work awesome

I do believe the procedure that works best for you should be the one used,for me I havent had much luck priming in z with slick pak usually try to a-frame, but its all about the mix, the slump, the aggregate, cement, flyash and so on,each area is different thats why there are so many different ways,do what works best for you.