Hello Gentleman,

I am beggining to stamp/ overlay concrete (have been installing hardscapes as a Landscape Contractor for many years).  Is it possible to pump (either w/ boom truck or tow behind unit) Concrete Mix  w/  3/4 inch agregate / 4,000 PSI mix/ 2  to 1  portland cement to water ratio/ w/ a 5 inch slump.  I have spoken with my decorative concrete supplier and he says I would have to use (an 'uphill mix" with 3/8 pea gravel.

If not, what other method would get the concrete to an area inaccessible to a concrete mixer (besides a wheelbarrow).  I have seen concrete buggies but would rather not be hauling that kind of load through a customers property.

Any helpful feedback would be much appreciated!!!

sounds like you are working in someones backyard, first see if it can be reached with a big boom from the street, if cost on the big boom is an issue go with a line pump but either way it is going to be a mess with the prime out and cleanout of either or both.I pump 3/4 stone all the time in my area so i dont really see a problem with it.

last week i did a job for a new plant and i knocked out three trucks and the last one was going to tail gate so they changed the mix and the fourth truck said he was not going off road so i had to pump it, well it was 3/4 crushed 3000 lb that is five sack six inch slump. i had to put a three inch hose on before my 2.5 inch reducer and i only had sixty ft of hose that has internal expanded ends so i was told by the RM driver that i was the only one that he has seen pump that mix.

we have been ripping through a lot of half inch rock and the supply is next to residentual area so they are not allowed to dig for it.

they have been doing a 3/4x3/8 mix that runs just as good, it has to do with the sand. PSI is a concept different from plant to plant, the bigger or more rock the less powder so do not care what they call it a line mix should have six sacks of powder and do not let them pull the five sack and one sack of pot ash.

1 to 1 cement / water ratio give a six inch slump, do not let the customer feed you their concept of slump.

Yes it is possible! all we pump is 3/4 inch rock in north texas. Im not sure where the plants get it from but its no fun. We have pea gravel and other rocks but the main one they use is 3/4 in. crushed. depending on where you are located some pump companys have Long rock kits and harsh mix kits which will pump almost anything.

 over here in the uk we pump 3/4 stone all the time if not bigger if its crushed limestone through 3,4 or 5inch pipe line if the mixer driver can get it down the chute we can pump it

 We pump 3/4 or bigger here all the time...

greedy where are you based mate?

Gentleman,  Thank You very much for the helpful feedback.  I have spent many hours trying to get an answer to thoose questions.

I live in the North-East corner of NJ, (about 30 mintues out of New York City).  Can anyone reccomend a Concrete Supplier with a  consisitent mix that will show close to the scheduled time.  Also, can you reccomend similar  concrete pump company.  Cost is not an issue right now, just looking for a professional.

If nobody knows of one, what kind of tow behind unit would I need to pump the 3/4 In/ 5 inch slump/5/6 sack mix.  Or what should I look for in a pump? I have gone to several sites but honestly, I just don't know enough about pumps to make a very smart choice.

Thanks again!!  If anybody has any questions pertaining to Hardscapes/ Landscaping please e-mail me directly.  I always believe in returning a favor.

Yes, It is very possible to pump 5" slump concrete with either a boom pump or trailer.  You will have to use 4" or 5" pipeline and system and not the 2" or 2.5" system that is associated with the use of the UpHill Mix.  We have a large fleet of concrete pumps in New Jersey and have pumped 3/4" agregate up to 4850 feet vertically at the Con Ed Steam Tunnel that ran from 20th Street to 36th Street under Second Avenue in NYC.  We have also pumped the tallest building in New Jersey, Goldman Sachs in Jersey City over 880 feet high.

Are you trying to use 2" hose to pump the 3/4" agregate?

Yes, It is very possible to pump 5" slump concrete with either a boom pump or trailer.  You will have to use 4" or 5" pipeline and system and not the 2" or 2.5" system that is associated with the use of the UpHill Mix.  We have a large fleet of concrete pumps in New Jersey and have pumped 3/4" agregate up to 4850 feet vertically at the Con Ed Steam Tunnel that ran from 20th Street to 36th Street under Second Avenue in NYC.  We have also pumped the tallest building in New Jersey, Goldman Sachs in Jersey City over 880 feet high.

Are you trying to use 2" hose to pump the 3/4" agregate?

We are currently building another office and warehouse for ourselves and are using Colonial Concrete to supply us.  The service is very good and the quality of the concrete is also good.  We have pumped almost all of the concrete in our building and grounds.

Concrete: Colonial Concrete 973.482.1920

Concrete Pumping Company: Alexander Wagner Co.        973.345.4335 

Hi AW,  Thanks for all of the helpful info.  I sent a PM, however I 'm not sure if you received it . I looked onto your website; That is quite an impressive operation you have going their.  I noticed that you are in Paterson.  I am going to a seminar at NJV concrete in Haledon, N.J. The owner of the company does quite a lot of Concrete work and may be very interested in having someone from you rcompany show up tommorow if you are interested.  "BrickForm" ,which is a company that maufactures all types of decorative concrete products will be their pouring concrete and stamping so I believe it will be a professionally run event.  They have dealers all across the country.It's tommorow from 8:00 A.M. -some time in the afternoon. 

I have looked on your site and see you rent out tow behind units.  What is the cost per day to rent one of these units?

Thanks again,

Rob