Rumor is that Schwing is currently developing a continous flow pump that will take concrete pumping to a whole new level just like the rock valve did.  Anyone know if this is even possible? How it could be done, besides the squeeze pumps?

That would be ALMOST as cool as a telebelt!!!  just kidding the website has been a little slow lately. terry

I think that Schwing is a great company. They did change the way America pumps concrete. I would however beg to differ with you as to how. For my money the Schwing gate valve, coupled with a 5000 psi hydraulic system was their vehicle. The Roc valve is functional but in my opinion not earth shattering. It is just the ‘Siamese’ transition off of an 800 or 801 that has been flipped over and placed inside the hopper. [This is a personal opinion.]

As far as a constant flow pump is concerned, you would first need to define constant flow. Any modern concrete pump, when pumping fast enough, has a constant flow. The problem being that during that constant flow there are great differences in the ‘attitude’ of the concrete. When the pistons are moving the concrete is under greater pressure ‘in the boom or system’ than when the valve is shifting. This difference in pressure is where the boom and or line surge comes from. With that said, all modern pumps are ‘constant flow.

If, as I suspect, you are alluding to constant flow as a flow at a specified and consistent pressure with out any surge; now that would be a real show stopper indeed!

Mayco, and most other ball valve machines, attempt to mitigate their surge with the use of a compensating cylinder; with dubious results. Some of the other trailer pump makers use surge chambers (line mounted accumulators) with what is usually a very good result.

If the engineers at Schwing can design a way to stop the surge at volume they will, most definitely, have once again changed the face of pumping concrete for the better. I wish them well. When that happens it will pull the plug on needing to slow your pump down to stop the bounce. This will be especially helpful on the 50 and 60 meter booms as well as the high-rise pumping. And as an added bonus………. ConForm stock will go up.  ;~)

my guess would be a worm gear and a clutch to back off the pressure.

Yes I do mean a surge-less pump.  This is just a rumor but from someone there I trust. 

It's my understanding that the FIRST concrete pumps were just that! They used a twin auger system for flow.The major hurdle back then (40'&50's)were non-existant mix designs.They just didnt understand the concept. There was a guy in S.F.in the late 60's named Clancy who imported one here,where we used blend sands as a matter of convience(it's washed ocean sand) but the idea of pumping was too novel.I got to meet him once,when I pumped a job (he was a concrete contractor) and the tales he had to to tell ! Of course, he was an old Irishman...