just some background info on me. I run a line pump. B series.

Ok anyways, i find the hardest part of the job is dealing with the stress. I find im constantly worrying about how old the concrete is? wheres the next truck? is the timing right? are these finishers gonna step up and help me out with hoses? am i all stocked up on my supplies? can i maneuver this truck around the jobsite? etc etc and i find that is almost as exhausting as pulling full hoses during a pump. Its both the mental exhaustion and physical, but the physical is easier to deal with. I find though that the worrying has made me a better pump operator in the end, but at the cost of my mental health lol.

anyone else find this a high stress job? I know concrete is high stress but when i was prepping jobs my stress was minimal comparitively haha

When I was green I was a worry wart like that. But bottom line is if the trucks are taking to long, pop the clamp and recirculate, throw in some sugar if you have to, and blow out the rest of the line. if the crew wont help you with the hose, turn off the pump and move the line. Its the contractors job to make sure you can get around the job site. You get paid by the hour right?? HAha!

If I don't get help with system, I become a VERY well paid laborer. I do what I can at a pace I can sustain.

Just like Trey said when your green you worry about everything when you get time in it's a diff story I have the attitude it is what it is you can always washout the pump you control the outcome of the job.I used to get all worked up when something jammed me up or the pump broke down, but now i take a deep breath and get my hands dirty why get all bent out of shape with things you cant control last resort washout the pump and start over.

It will get easier with time. Wait till you try boom pumping.. With my line pump the stress goes away when I hear the pump stroke 12-15 strokes then I know the mud is pumpable" Adrenaline rush". Be careful its addicting.

 Youre right im pretty new. Been pumping for just under a year.  I find im worrying too much about stuff out of my control I think thats what it is. Most jobsites i pump at dont have washouts, at most 1 out 5 jobs has a washout onsite. So the worry stems from knowing i have a 30 minute minimum travel to my washout area after all is said and done. I dunno im sure youre all right and it will pass with experience, i really enjoy the work, and have noticed my stress level has come down since i was just starting... I had some bad experiences right away that really sucked, but in the end im glad i experienced them right away, cuz it made me better, kinda like trial by fire..

You can also grab a kiddy pool or just make a box out of 2x10s and plastic if you really need to wash out in a pinch

What you are refering to happend to all of us.Slow down,allow more onsite time for prep,where accidents happen.Alway allow more time,slow your thinking down.

You need a 'washout hook' and learn to water wash the pump, the kiddie pool may be necessary too. Do a google search for concrete pump washout, lots of options will show up. (hint: change the google setting to images too)

here are a few pics of that washout hook he's talking about (not the best photos, but you get the idea).

REED p/n 87307 - 2" washout hook

REED p/n 87306 - 3" washout hook

- Mike @ REED
Toll-Free: 888-779-7333
mike.newcomb@reedmfg.com
www.reedpumps.com

Wash out hooks are great!! They are definitely your friend.But Please do yourself a favor (and every one else around)Come up with a way to Chain the hook down to the truck,While you are washing out.As for stressing out I have figured out that it takes the better part of a year and a half before an operator (boom or otherwise) gets "comfortable" (I use that word loosely).There are a hundred different tricks you will learn as you need them.....Trust me!!! and if you have any questions this is a good place to look for answers!!

One never becomes comfortable running a pump,if you do,that's when an aligator takes a big bite.You should always seek knowledge,ask,it's ok.If you become to stressed there are grounding techneques to help settle you down.Take things one step at a time,remember,some things we still do by the numbers.

You sound like someone who gives a dam. You will always worry about, all the things you have stated. It will become easier to deal with , but if you don't think of all that can go wrong, you won't be prepared. Keep thinking "I will know what to do", when SH----t happens, Good Luck, Be SAFE

W. C.

Hey MANY... Thats why I said I use that word LOOSELY....By comfortable I just meant at ease enough not to FLIP OUT on every one on the Jobsite..LOL..Definitely not Lounge chair comfy..Oh hell you now what I mean!!

Hey MANY... Thats why I said I use that word LOOSELY....By comfortable I just meant at ease enough not to FLIP OUT on every one on the Jobsite..LOL..Definitely not Lounge chair comfy..Oh hell you now what I mean!!

I was more interested that he understood.Wanna be a big help?Help me come up with a arodynamic design for my wheelchair for this years bedpan jumping event.Record is 2 1/2 bedpans,in practice I can only get over 1,grin

Enjoy the weekend

many,     Its only machinery, the rest is in the mind, get the mind set right at the start of the task.... and you will soar like E.T.  lol

MANY....Aerodynamics are actually not even part of the equation for Bed pan Jumps.What we need to do is lower the drag of friction on the "Chair" I think a few degrees of camber,some thin really smooth tires,And High quality bearings are what we need to be on the hunt for...OH that and your "Form" those I think are going to be the "BIGGIES"....We have the technology,We can do this!!!!

Hey,I like those thought lines.The guys down at the VA will love it,given enough time,we might be able to use one while catching air.

welcome to the world of pumping. Its good to wory cause in this buisness theres alot to worry about and I see to many guys that dont care or dont pay attention to things and then wonder why there day is fucked or hard to deal with. Just keep doing what your doing by stayig on top of things Aka worry and in time things get easier to handle. In my opion itsa nice to hear someone man up and stress about things cause it shows they care about doing a good job. So pump on bro and dont threat. It can only get better.

I didn't mean you shouldn't care or anything but don't think like you are the big manager of the site and has to take care of everything like some of us think. Make sure you got your own stuff sorted out. It doesn't help doing things in a stressed way. The easy slow way is often the quickest because you don't make mistakes and have more time to think. Why would you worry about when the next truck is coming in the first hour after the last one has left? You can stand a while you know! When I was new i started worrying after 10 minutes but thats way to early. I agree that its easyer with a boom pump because we can hang the end hose over the hopper and pump round while adding water. But when you pump a bit forward and back you can handle a hour and a half at least. When it becomes critical you to can put the end hose over the hopper and pump round and add some water even with a line pump. If you have verry much hoses on  just blow a ball trough them and keep one hose on to hang over the hopper and pump round.  Just give it a year or 2 and you'll think back about this time thinking: What the hell was I so stressed about. But be carefull not to think to easy. The day you think its just a game is the day something can go verry wrong.

sugar is your best friend 4 off site washes with every day the worrying will lessen.few years ago would blow out and blow up(at contractor)if concrete got to 1&half hours old now just keep an eye on it and make a judgement call.all the best mate