I was just thinking, maybe I am just  crazy but with larger and larger Booms coming on the market, when will the oiler see its way back into our industry.

Could the CPMA or the ACPA say that any boom pump over 40 meter should have an oiler? Maybe its 52 meter or larger or 70 meter or larger who knows but come on at some point one guy just cant run the pump by himself.

it should be mandatory on 50m and above,how many corners are cut due to 1 man trying to do a 1 man job,how many times are we on upper decks without a qualified man on the pump itself,its a shame that as hard as we work we cant get some help on these big booms,safety would be and is my main concern on these big booms with one man,all of us are human not machines I am not so macho as to say I dont need help,I ran a 58m for a while and it was rough even when I had help(he didnt have a cdl license and really wasnt much help at all) but when the pump was taken to another of our satellite yards they ran 2 operators on it and both of them loved it for me I was never so ready to see it go,I loved the machine but it really took a toll on me, I remember one month I averaged less than 2 hrs sleep a nite,I really enjoyed the challenges it provided but I really missed my family and for me I dont think I would do it again   

I am with Pudg 100%

50 meters and larger need an oiler every time that they go out.

Let me answer the lame ass excuse;

CHARGE FOR HIM

Val, what does ROB do?

BullFrog, what does P do?

Bri, what does PC do?

Big Tabaccy, what does B do?

I had the opportunity to deliver a pump to Brooklin last year.  Believe me I had the proverbial "White Knuckles" getting it in there.  The following day I had to train the guys on this pump.  Now get a load of this.  They have it together in NY.  The Union works it this way:  There is an operator and an oiler for the pump.  The operator makes like $55 per hour and the oiler makes $45 perhour.  Overtime is double time.  They don't  rent pumps by the hour there, they rent them by the day.  I don't know the hourly charges for the pump, but I know it has to be enough to cover these costs.  If you think their pay is real good, think it over.  a little motel room at a Holiday Inn Express is around $160 per night.  It costs you a lot to live there, but at least they have their pump rates up there too.

I agree with you.  Send an oiler and charge for him.  Call it a necessary safety thingy.

All the above, as well when these larger designs end up with a rear steer station like the old fire trucks, then the oiler can do that job too!

Hell with that.I run a 28m putz and I think I need one. shoot maybe two.I just kidding.I think  over 50 your right.But I still think I need one LOL

Ruck

When there are safety issues, an oiler is a necessity. (Operator on a deck, oiler on the ground backing in trucks, etc..) The problem is that our customers are looking to save $$ on their pours in any way they can. In their eyes, an oiler is an extravagance because they have seen operators running solo as the norm. I completely agree that 50 meter and above should have an oiler on all pours. The first time we stand our ground and tell a customer that an oiler is required, some other company will offer up the same size pump with no oiler for the cheaper corresponding price. If we ALL agree that a 50m and above requires an oiler, then we ALL should stick to that.

I Agree oiler's are needed in the business but,Why over 50m's I think 47's are big enough to justify 2 men.I spend alot of time on elevated decks and am constantly concerned about "Who the hell is that climbing around on my pump now" I try very hard to keep people off of it but they just move the stuff I set up to block the steps.An oiler would be great,Some one familiar with the pump.What happens when some one accidentaly flips one of the switches that are located on the pedastal that shut the pump down (schwing guys know the switches i am talkin about) ANY HOW ya'll get what I am sayin I HAVE TO CLIMB DOWN FLIP THE SWITCH THEN HIKE MY FAT ARSE BACK UP TO THE POUR!!!!! what a waste of time and energy OH WELL!! show me where to sign and I will!! I could use an oiler!! they are defintly needed agian!!

ItAllGoesBoom

We still have people in this country that think that people and dinosaurs were on the earth at the same time!!!

We humans can and will never ever do anything as a group.

Who's the oiler and who's the operator??I went out with a guy one time as his oiler (had to drive pump,he had no CDL)after we set-up he stuck boom in building.Contractor said it was about 450ft of system,operator said that he never pumped through system before and was scared.Ask me if i (oiler)would mind doing the job,no problem,lets do it.After we finished i washed out pump and drove back to shop.What did the (operator) do????H backed up concrete trucks and............got paid as an operator and i got $5.00 less per hour.He had 5yrs exp. vs my 13yrs.,I guess it went that way because he was the dispatchers boy.Mind you it never happened nor will it again. 

Oh,it was only a 42m and when i primed out i gave it all it had,but no one was allowed any where near the end-hose.I was also told that i was the only guy not to lock up on prime out.I know that it wasn't the safe way to-do things but it wasn't my pump nor had i ever run it before,just wanted to get it through and get the job done.Pumped 450yds,water washed out with no problem.

what agency,organization or committee would be helpful to implement oilers on booms say 47meters and above? There should be a nationwide or worldwide approach to this issue. for the good of all operators and the safety of all others around the pump, plus the operation of the concrete pump itself this should be mandatory!

art

I remember when the LA pumpers cut the tip section in half because a full 28m got an oiler.

oilers in so. cal. i don't think so. companies like western flemming brundage aka jls. and all those small guys,under bidding. such as flat rate. i've been around a long time with a union company. when i started in 1978 oilers where on 28 meters and up there was no flat rate b.s.

I have never had the privilege of having a oiler. I have had rookie operators I could boss around from time to time lol. I think they are really only necessary on some jobs and its really just another operator that's needed not a oiler. Seth

Does anyone have a good work description for an oiler? I would love to see a good job description for one.

Todd,a strange question.

Oilers?.

an oiler is according to

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oiler

Now what would this industry call an oiler?.I would love to hear what one of the big players whould bill it as.

A direct question to Dick,Les,jack-Dale or any other big hitters out there.What's the real cost of an oiler on 45m+ booms?.

Todd,I'm really sorry but I have to say this.You big hitters are really stuipid.You preace safety,you can or can not do this or that,4 eyes are better than 2.The owner needs to go to basic oil company basis 101.

I (no longer an operator/a business owner) call in for a quote you give me a price.It's time the owners to wake up and smell the coffee.I pay COD or either have owner pay the bill.

Mr O'Brian recentlty made a statement about what he made with a 2001 30 years ago,I personally made more than him with an 875.I wish to quote from an exceutive at the old apex oil (copper mountian,Co) "I may be a whore but I don't have to be a cheap whore"

To bad the big hitters can't handle that,always cheating the operator and demanding safety.

Happy trails

Just as the operator works for the customer, the oiler works for the pump.

An oiler on a concrete pump is in a cooperative but subservient position to the operator. A rookie oiler will rely on direction from the operator as to his duty and responsibility. As he gets more in tune with the position he will not be as reliant on the operator for direction. He will at that time begin to really earn his keep.

Since the basic care and feeding of the pump is the responsibility of the oiler he should always be early, or at worst on time. Tire check, fluid levels, special gear for the assigned day’s work all are duties of an oiler. This does not relieve the operator of the responsibility. It adds another level of professionalism to the job at hand. The relationship is much like pilot and co-pilot of an aircraft. The pilot maintains course, speed and trim while the co-pilot watches systems and other traffic in the flight path. An oiler may or may not be able to drive the pump.

Upon arrival at the work site and notification of the preferred set-up area the team aspect of a good operator – oiler relationship becomes evident. A seasoned oiler will be familiar with the set-up requirements of the assigned machine and will begin to off load sufficient dunnage and pads for the safe and secure set up of the pump. Many operators prefer to place the dunnage on the area readied by the oiler. After a satisfactory set-up is achieved and tested the operator will many times have the oiler deploy the boom. This is done under close supervision of the operator. The operator is at all times responsible for the safety and security of the pump. As a level of competence is achieved the oiler may at times relieve the operator at the remote for bathroom breaks, etc.

During the pumping process the oiler has responsibility to the machine. He is not there to back up trucks unless both the operator and the oiler are stationed at the pump and the operator frees him to do so. The oiler is rather the person that checks the set and level of the outrigger support while pumping. The oiler when not otherwise occupied is responsible for the “fit and finish” of the machine. This includes such things as wiping down the pump, polishing wheels and other bright work, touch up or waxing areas such as outrigger side panels, cabs etc, cab interior cleaning, proper organization and inventory of supplies and other gear and keeping all unauthorized personnel away from and off of machine.

NOTE: On jobs where there is a hazard such as power lines the duty of the oiler is to function as a spotter. This job may not be interrupted for any other purpose while machine is operating in relative close proximity to power lines or other hazard. If for any reason the oiler is called away from that duty the operation of the machine must stop or relocate away from hazard area. It is the joint responsibility of the operator and the oiler to see that this is carried out.

It is the responsibility of the oiler to insure that the pump is supplied with fuel to the ‘feed tank’ at all time. He is also responsible for the monitoring of fluid levels and temperatures of the various systems on the machine. The overall appearance, stability and system viability of the machine is the responsibility of the oiler while the operator is running the pour. A well trained, self motivated oiler is a giant asset to the team. An oiler that is asleep in the cab is a waste of time, effort, money and oxygen. He is sure to quickly be given the opportunity to spend the rest of his life somewhere else.

Teardown and clean up duties are at the discretion of the operator and are typically shared.

With the price of newer and larger boom pumps bumping against the $2,000,000.00 mark, isn’t it worth the effort to protect that investment? The actual cost of the oiler needs to be borne by the contractor renting the equipment. He will be well worth the cost. A professional oiler adds to the safety of the job. When the oiler spots an oil leak before it causes a break down or ruins a hydraulic pump he has earned his keep. With the high cost of insurance, equipment and back charges; isn’t it worth it to know that there is someone whose responsibility it is to watch out for your capital investment?

Damn Bob, Those two fingers must be smokin after all that. I copied that into the handbook if you dont mind.

Any pump long enough that the operators vision and attention is compremised. 40 series pumps are'nt too bad. 50+m at the pump you cant see the pour, at the pour you got no sense of whats going on at the pump station. I think the little horn button replaced the oiler. 

Yep Bob is the man. I think the only thing out there that supplies more data than Bob is the CPMA and maybe the ACPA.

Awesome! What's the best way to try and get a mandatory program like that started say nationwide? It seems like it will take a lot of different agencies to pull off a tall order of putting oilers on the pumps. Seems like all manufactures of the big pumps,unions and government agencies like osha,labor and industries etc. would need to get involved. I think pump companies and operators would go for a program like this to better the industry.

You don't ever want the gov' involved. Your worst nightmare is when the guy walks up to you on the job and says, "I'm from the government and I am here to help".

Run for your life!!

Check your wallet later. ;~)

Tebequip:

Yes, I have heard of that and I have heard that in some cases they required an engineer on site to assure the pump could be set up properly.  So now you have someone to drive it to the job, someone to assure it is set up, someone to set it up, and someone to operate it.  Wow!  That won't happen here in NC.  One man drives it to the job, sets it up, operates it, cleans it up, takes it back to the yard, fuels it, waters it, and then he can go home, take a nap and do it all over again tomorrow.  All of this for about $16 to $22 per hour.  If he is lucky he might have a sorry insurance package.

Bob, that was great.  If only everyone would comply with it.  It makes so much sense to put an oiler on the bigger machines, I would say 52 and up.  I don't need to say anything about the why, you already said it all, lol.  When I was on a big boom, I wish I had an oiler that was assigned to me, the same one everyday, not someone different everyday.  To be able to teach them something instead of a guy just out there to throw my wood down.  But, oilers only come in a perfect world, not here in Hotlanta.

WOW seems like our government now--deregulate and everyone would do the right thing. It looks like it's going to take many agencies nationwide to try and put oilers on the big pumps. For the good of our industry, this should be done. The question is can this be done?

Show me the money...

Big T

The money was used to purchase the pump. If one operator is totally responsible for that much of your money, so be it.

He is only human and can only do just so much and for so long.

I'm definetly the minority on this subject...but I would go nuts if I had an oiler. 

With all of that for an oiler to-do you wont need an operator.If you had one he wouldn't have anything to-do (Operator).My 9yr old daughter can run a boom pump,so can she get an oiler???A monkey can move a couple of joy sticks around.As an operators job is to run the pump,that includes everything.Soon the younger guys will do it all with-out complaints and that's who will get the jobs.Remember,the longer your on the job the more money you and your company makes,itsn't that what it's all about.

If this industry was charging what it should be I don't see any reasone where all boom pumps shouldn't be sent out with a crew of two.  What if the operator on a single crew job is injured?  What if he is on top of a building or out of sight and something breaks on the pump?  Oh yes, this has happened.  How many ready mix drivers know to hit the E-Stop?  How many times has the operators not been able to take a break so they can get a drink or a sandwitch?  I can think of so many reasons why there should be a crew of two.  How about you....

Small pumps are like small cranes, a one man job UNLESS the operator has to be up on an elevated deck. At that point all pumps, no matter the size are just like a placing boom job; one guy on the pump and one guy on the boom.

Just good, safe sense. 

with the industry the way it is today, 1 pump-1 operator; where should the operator be standing?

situation 1- boom with lots of line. operator can see pump&mixer from end of line?

situation 2- boom with lots of line. operator can not see pump from end of line? (no radios avaible)

situation 3- big boom with single ended drop hose. SOG

 the situation are endless but here are some ive run into

Oilers are basically still used in So Cal on M45 and larger by the union companies.

Damn, Doug

To hear some of these others it is a wonder that you have any business at all!!

Another plus for the union

I agree with you all, especially Bob and his book. I work for a union company and it is mandatory for a crane 90 ton and larger to have an oiler. So why can't the bigger pumps have one. I could have used one many times, especially with when mixer drivers hit the e-stop instead of horn. Ont the other hand, I would probably go nuts with someone hanging off my pocket all day.

Some interesting thoughts expressed here.When pumping at DIA concorse A I was on another portion at ground level,another 52m was a short distance away.He was doing a sog and was in basement,there was no way for him to get to the edge level with pump (no backfill).

When I got a short break I went over by his pump and omg.He was pumping off the left side and the L/F outrigger was sinking and pad was at least 45 degrees (thank god for hand held radio's).

Only speculation here but it was not far from going over.I often wonder why there is so much resentment for oilers,all you big boom guys know.After 30 in this industry the owners are just as silly as they were then.One would think the equipment has more to do with it than money,but who am I.