I usually on a 200 ft. push will set 150 ft. of 4 inch steel then reduce to 3 inch or 2 inch in the last 50 ft. 

But alot trailer pumpers by me will run 2 inch the whole 200 ft.

What do you guys suggest??

Thanks

Ryan

To pump pea gravel? Thats a lot of work, depends on design and slump but if the guy next to you is only using 2 inch put that slick line away!

2" is hard to pump through without the right mix. The rock ratio is the key. Pea rock mix should have around 1290 lb rock per yard, and be at least a six bag mix. Large rock mix or 3/4" has many different designs. Again the rock content is the issue for me. I pump a 50-50 3/4" (1550 lb rock) with 6 bag. I pump through 2.5" . If you have to pump harsh mixes like 1750-1850 rock then you need a large steel line.

2.5" all the way, as many steel pipe as you can because they are cheaper and easier to use I feel. then hoses where and as needed. 2" jams too much.

If it were me, use as much steel as you can! Or....... get a boom pump.

I have used both alot 2" all the way doesnt take alot to jam you up , used 2 1/2" and it works much better not many lock ups plus you can cut back on the cement to a 6 sack pea gravel, one thing that I think you was asking most times if it makes it thru that reducer going thru 4" to 2 1/2" and pump the rest of the way it will go thru all 2 1/2" instead of mixing the size of line,I only do that if I am short on the smaller line to me the less number of reducers the betters, example I have a 5 to 2 1/2 90 that comes of the back if it plugs most times its in that 90 going 5-4 then line one reduction 4-3 another then 3-2 1/2 alot of different reductions for me I like to do it quick rather than in 2-3 different reductions but thats just me.

How much volume are you pushing??? Hard to justify steel pipe if it's only two or three yards and the mix will pump through small line, for mid-high volume I would say use use much steel pipe as you can.

Like Pudg2 stated the reducers seem to plug more. I've found the reducers create extra pressure which dries out the mud in spots because the extra pressure pushes the water out of the mud. I use 2.5" hose all the way. Because I don't have any pipe. Also there 25 footers. Roll them up and throw'm in the truck. Quick and easy.

Three years line pumping I use 2 1/2 inch rubber hose in 25 ft lengths I have one 10 ft steel pipe thats it. pump mixes are the key to good pumping 1,300 lbs of size 78  per yard of concrete, 1644 C-33 SAND,175 LBS OF FLY ASH 564 LBS cement  4 to 6 inch slump thats a 4000 to 5000 PSI

thats real close to what I'm using and problems are rare.

no matter what i always run atleast one 2 1/2 hose and the rest 2 in. it all depends on the operator

2.5" all the way, 2" only when I get mud as nice as strawberry ice-cream...

Thanks for the replies. 

Today was a shotcrete job. 7 sack peastone.  100 feet of 4 inch steel with 50 foot of 2 inch rubber.  4 inch slump 46 yards, pushing 210 bar all day.  It just seemed to push hard.  What do ya think.

Thanks for the replies. 

Today was a shotcrete job. 7 sack peastone.  100 feet of 4 inch steel with 50 foot of 2 inch rubber.  4 inch slump 46 yards, pushing 210 bar all day.  It just seemed to push hard.  What do ya think.

It shouldn't be pushing that much pressure good mud will pump at about 80 bar. If your volume is real high with 2" that would create pressure, But check the rock content of the mud.. It should be around 1290 lbs per yard, very important.

Why not come off your pump with all 2 inch plus if you were shotcretimg 5oo lbs of pea rock per yard is all you should have.

I honestly believe you would run a little lower if you just ran the small line those reducers do funny things