Need some some info with a problem on 42m putz that will not bring the ball back still pumps harsh mixes with no problem and reverse stroke works fine

More info please....What config are you in a big a I assume, could be a worn out ball. Do you notice this after pumping dry or wet concrete? You are pumping down the hopper then reverseing for about 10 or 12 strokes then sucking the the ball?

Some worn gaskets could cause this also. You say you have trouble, what do you have to do to get the ball back?

the ball`s good ,pump down the hopper usual way down to thetop of cylinders no air , no reverse strokes till i add water and return or try to return ball as is the case now,no leaky clamps and i`m able to reverse most of my crete back into my hopper except for that amount that you have with the ball at the end,and i know about air locks but this has happened 3x in a row     

we`ve tried air everytime and that does not work which has always worked as i last measure,as  far as flushing it out i`ve been fortunate enough to have been close to ready mix plant and put through hot water with no problem,i`m thinking air locks but why 3 in a row.and also with trying to blow it back with air the ball doesn`t even budge around the 2 elbows on the 4th sec.

This might be reaching but have you taken off some of your boom elbows to see if you have some build up on some of your pipe where a ball didn't clean it. If you suck a ball too fast it will collapse and not touch all of the pipe in some places and leave build up. What size of boom and what type roll and fold or Z?

when i go in monday morning i`m ripping elbows at each section and find out what the hell`s up with this 42m putz roll and fold ,mike thank`s for your input but like i said i can`t even suck my ball back at all not even sticking the boom up

Hey check your turret gaskets and make sure those clamps are tight. YOu may have a pin hole somewhere in the pipe also. Sometimes those are not easy to spot in the turret. Most guys don't check it on a regular basis.

Good Luck

Russ

do you have twin wall pipe, if so maybe it is shredding inside  and stopping the ball

I've had a piece of metal get stuck in the elbow,allowing concrete to flow but acting as a ball stop also. Try filling your hopper with water,putting a sponge soaked in dishsoap into the priming port,and try to pump it out. One, if it doesn't come out you'll find where the problem is, and two,if it comes out in 2 pieces you'll know what the problem is,and you didn't ruin your ball finding it.You think the problem is in ONE particular place ,look there first! Also do you have dual wall pipe? I've seen the inner liner peel and act as ballstop! Have you seen any slivers in your prime-out? Maybe plug on prime-out? This is usually when you see liner slivers! Hope this helps

First place to check would be your gaskets. you could just start ripping your elbows apart or you could save time by pumping the ball through with water starting at the back end. putting your boom at a 45 degree angle unfolded will help put more water pressure to the gaskets, but can be done in the shop folded up. Just don't leave water in the boom when your done. This test will point out all of your leaking gaskets imediatley thus you only have to replace the leakers. Other things to consider, how are your wear parts? If you have a lot of wear going on at the wear plate and cutting ring area, this can also make you struggle getting your ball back. Build up in the pipeline can also be the culprit. If it is substantial build up, when you pump the ball through with water the ball will get stuck at the build up. If you having this problem often, try bringing your boom back to the hopper and recycle your concrete and wet it up a bit, not alot or you will sagragate. If you find build up through out the boom and deck pipe, you could try recirculating a good granite base mix and turn the pump volume up to help get the scale or buildup out. you may have pump this for awhile to get the scale out. Hope this helps you or at least keeps you from having a full blown boom party!

Hey pumpwrench  glad to see you on the site. Thanks for the help your giving people. Good job.

Gaskets, build up, or wear parts. Fastest way to check your gaskets is to pump a ball using water. Best results are with the boom unfolded at about a 45 degree angle straight sticked to help put more water pressure to the gaskets. you will see how many gaskets are leaking in a hurry. This water test can also be done in the shop, folded up. Best results is outside unfolded. Check for build-up through out the boom including the deck. Usually if you have build up in the pipeline, you have problems priming up with some scale coming out the end of the boom. Check your wear parts for gaps between the wear plate and cutting ring to include the pressure spring under the cutting ring for damage.

thanks pumpwrench but like a said when i get it flushed out at a ready mix plant i`v  checked gaskets and none leaking water or slurr y and i have blown my ball back empty in the shop to loose the metal or any other debris in there theory i tell you i`m stumped on this one ,also i did change the cuttting ring very recently as it was in bad shape

I havn't sucked a sponge or ball back since the ELBA days. Have you tried waterwashing or sucking a bucket? A whole lot cleaner!

I know water washing is an excepted practice in alot of places, however if you have never done that on a consistant basis I would not do it until you have someone experienced show you how. It could lead to disaster.

Russ

thank`s pm but the seals ,cutting ring all repreplaced and back yoke on outside of hopper at front for cylinderson the switch over all replaced very recently and have done a few jobs since then with no problem till now

Mudslinger:  good point.  I had a long narrow flat piece of metal in a 45,   It would allow me to pump, but the ball wouldn't come back.  By tapping with a hammer I found exactly where it was at and removed it. 

thanks for all the info but i found  a hole in mydog leg deck pipe that goes into my turret couldn`t find it before because it was wrapped in insulation,just another learning curve

Hey if you don't learn something new every so often you are in the wrong business. Glad you found the problem.

Keep on Pumping

Russ

10-4 russ usually you don`t want a blow out but this one here because of winter wrap just didn`t go all the way but there`s alway`s areason thanks again