hi all,

 back again for a bit of advice from people that are in the "know" i have had a line pump for about 16 months now and thinks its pretty good "putz by the way". i am now looking to go a bit bigger ( looks at a 52 but bank balance says nooo)  so  i am looking at a 22 3 section or a 26 4 section, both quite old, but i want to dip my toe in the market with out spending a lot on a pump, so my question is...........

how much more work will i get with having a 26 4 section than the 22 3 section, is it worth the extra 10k the i am going to spend, both same age about same hours.

Again i am a bit clueless on boom pumps never worked one before so please be nice. 

With a boom, it's all about reach.  The operating costs will be pretty close to the same.  26 will reach what 22 will, but not the other way around.  What is your customer base?  I'm thinking, likely residential.  22 won't get you much commercial work, but the 26 just might get a bit.  36M seems to be the bottom end for most commercial work.

good point pal, the bank balance will not go to a 36m, plus i would not feel confident running some thing so big you are right i am not yet going after the big commercial work but i am sure..... no i hope that i might get a bit of that type of work is a hope, again i dont know because i have never run a boom so i dont know the plus and minus points that go with size. (apart from the big kid in me saying bigger is better)

Stay in the line pumping business if there are other booms in the area you want get much work I know first hand there is a lot more money in line pumping I have been in this business for three years now, if you want something else buy a TB- 105 Tele-belt  and don't use your bank use a leasing company cause it will leave your borrowing power for other things

should have added that i am in the uk dont think we do tele belts over here, but i agree about the bank bit

32 meter is the best all around size. I had a 1990 28 schwing for 5 years it was great but a 32 gets you in the commercial market. Buy something you can resell easily if possible. Get a name brand boom pump like schwing. Don't buy an old gate valve pump. And before you buy, run it by us. And get a qualified person to inspect it. Very important.

Yeah, let us know some more about the machines you are looking at.  brand, model, chassis, year, hours, etc.

If you have any pictures, they are worth 1000 words.

Generally, a 4 section is morfe desireable than a 3.  but sometimes a 3 is more maneuverable, as in being able to put some of the stick inside a man-sized doorway, or even more in a shop door.

Roll and fold or Z-boom?

Service, parts and dealer/factory support are very important considerations too.  Don't buy something that is obsolete just because it is 'cheap'. 

I wouldnt got smaller than a 32m , its big enough to get commecial work and small enough to do domestic ..

I dont know if you would be able to afford it but I think the perfect option for you would be a 32 -5 Z , Sermac make a very nice 32. Having a Z boom opens up so many more work options, running costs will be a little higher but on the other hand you sould get a lot more work! 
Have a look around you might be able to find someone who is selling cheap . Perfect time to by if you have the money!

Good Luck !

I agree with Drew Aus... 32-5 will also get you work that other machines simply cannot do...

You have a line pump and busy? That tell you something? I can think of many boom pumps just setting.Your in a more specialized market area for your pump,stay there and enjoy the profits.

I have a friend that has 4 tk50's and one ton trucks,he's still doing pretty good.Look into another line pump,save the grief and agrevation.

different market over here , machines start at 16m( theres plenty of small operators running them , me inc.) for a first boom look at a 16, 22 or if you can afford a 24/4, putz, schwing, sermac or elba- you can get parts for them all.

have a look at whos running what locally, as many put it, if your flat out with the line pump then think hard about the change. Give me a call, can help with the machine  and the training for you, and point you in the right direction.

01235 851523

cheers for all the input , will read and have a think, will give you a ring this morning sometime murf

I suppose it depends on the type of work and terrain. Where I live they use frost footing on everything, and ICF basement walls. Three pours per house. Footings, walls, and floor. Its hard to drag hoses around in this area. Cheap boom pumps out there right now 30-40 K for a 1990 28 meter? Some area's you don't need a boom pump. Just a thought? Good luck.

I might add

Your in that area where nobody wants to run a trailer.You have found your little niche as my friend has.I know there's an urge to get a boom,think twice.I'm not saying a boom can't make money but look at the compitition.There has been allot of rate cutting going on world wide,not with line pumps.Your costs are less,exposure to catistrophic accidents less.More $$ in your pocket and a heck of allot less cost and upkeep.Check with your ins agent to see what changes in costs occure.

insuance is not to bad due to my fleet policy, i am going to think long and hard about the future but i do see profit in it( i hope) again many thanks for all the input i can only say thank you