hello i am just geting start in the pumping biz and was want to get some expert opinons i have a 39m schwing with 5'' pipe needing to reduce down to a 4" for a basement wall job which length would u all recommend 5' 4' or 1.5' and what do u all think of the mud snake vs the ruff neck seem to me the the ruff neck does not sound that good from reading past post   your opinons are greatly appreciated 

Welcome to the world of concrete pumping. I use 5-4 " reducer that is 36" long and a 4" placement hose for harsh mixes and faster volume placement. Most of the time I also have on a 4-3" reducer 36" long and a 3" hose. If the concrete your pumping will allow it the contractor will enjoy the control of the 3" and you will get a steady flow with your volume turned down to a comfortable speed. Reduce with steel not rubber!!!

I will agree.  Reduce with steel.  I'm sure you read how big a pain it is to pull a fin-fish out of a 7' reducing hose full of concrete.

36" 5-to-4 reducers are great.  And I also think a 3" hose is easier but you'll usually want to pump slower since your odds of plugging go way up.  Personally, I don't like them just for that reason.  Great for ICF though. 

Use 4" and pour it out and get on to the next one!

Thanks for searching first!

5" boom,perfect.Stick with the reducer and tip hose,more cost efficient and way more safer.

Many, and what size hose? Terry

the 3.5" hose with 4"reducing ends works great half an inch dont seem like much but makes a big differance very seldom plugs versus a 3"

have to agree with super pumper, 3.5" is a great all around size hose... but it really depends on what the mixes are like in your area...

Hose size really depends on area.In the NW 3" seems to work very well on most mixes.Here in Denver 3.5" or 4",hi volume pours 4.5" or 5" as always.For the most part the southern tier to east coast 5" seems to be the ticket.Yes,the larger the hose size to safer it is.

Thank u all for your help I am not sure what is a harsh mix I do know concrete I have been runing a mixer and batching for about 15 years we have never had trouble pumping be for not sure what size hose they used we are in nw okla useing 1 1/2 limestone and clean wash sand what do u all think I am just wanting to learn as much as I can so pervent problems and not get any one hurt thank u for all the help

If you want to be a safe pumper... Stick with 5'' endhose as MUCH as possible. Reduces the chance on a hosewhip segnificantly. Use putz pinpoor to regulate the flow.

If you realy have to reduce.. do it in steel and pump slow. And listen to your boom. If the striking sound disapears there might be a pocket of air on the way.

Hosewhip is the number 1 killer in the pumping industry. Pumping hard on big matt poors with a reduced endhose is not the way.. 

I have pumped in Oklahoma many years ago around the Lawton area. And still have friends up there and that mix is a Harsh Mix. I would just reduce down to a 4 inch.  The mud snake is pretty good. Only issue I have with it is that they are easy to kink up.

If you're pouring 1.5 in. Limestone, I would stay with at least a 4 in. Hose. I use a 3' 5-4" reducer and a 10 ft. One-ended tip hose that is 4". Keeping your truck rpms lower seems to help reduce hose whip as its not creating as much pumping pressure. I sometimes reduce down to a 3" hose if they will order pea gravel mix or at very least a blended mix. I just don't like to plug in 3" reducer when pouring walls, its dangerous.