After loosing $1000 in boom and deck pipe this spring. I decided to start sucking the ball all the way back for any move. I take the ball out, dump some slick prime in my port. Works like a charm and takes the risk out of it.

CHANGING MY WAYS!!! 

Seed,

You are just getting better.;~)

THANKS BOB!!

Allen,

That is smart thinking--I always pull the ball back into the hopper. A hpper can be chipped out if it flashes. But deck pipe is expensive and difficult to change. Only time I do not do that is if I am pouring houses from the street and I am just moving up a lot or two, But I still bring the ballback to the ball catcher on the prime a port at least.

Russ

I have always been a big boob, I don't care if I am moving across the street.  I suck my two sponges.  Only takes 5 mins max, but I never have to worry about a breakdown, mixer not showing up, getting stuck in traffic, etc.  I also carry a big ol' 10lb bag of sugar, so if I do run into a delay I can pour the sugar in the hopper and just let it run in reverse while I am waiting....be sure and dump the hopper out before you begin another job tho....I hate removing pipes, therefore I take the extra 5 mins to suck.