Hello everyone, I'm new to pumping and just recently got hired on. I was just taught today to prime a Z frame wide open and full throttle with some slick pack. Ive work around pressure before and this seems counter intuitive since less time to react if there is a plug. 

How do you Z framers prime? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

It can be done but you gotta know your concrete and your machine. I'm not a fan of slick pack myself but I know other operators like using betonite for priming.

even on Z booms I prime A framed , then go into Z , you can prime in Z and you sometimes can get a pig back in Z , but I prefer priming and sucking back A framed.

I have had to prime with boom laid down in bldg with system attached and not known ahead that would be required, if caugh where I'm unsure I will put clean out ball in  and use it to keep prime from separating.  I usually don't even use slick pac but that's just me. I have nothing. Against slick pac and have had times I had wished I had used one LOL.

I run a Concord 38 Z. I prime in both Z And A depending on the room I have. When its Z real close to the truck so sections are almost straight up and down. For A I like to be 30 feet from the truck so 1 and 2 are as up as possible and 3 and 4 are down. Both of these i fill my prime port with water. Inside a building when boom has to be flatter I use a slick pack mixed with 5 or 6 gallons and dump into prime port. Always 3/4 volume and full engine RPM. Not to say its always a 100% but most of the time no problems. 

PM 32 or 36 I always prime in Z. Just keep sections close...almost straight up and down. I only use water in the hopper(hate slick pack), but that's just me. Full rpm and like between a third and half your max pump speed. 

I agree.. If you really HAVE to prime in Z-conf than full throttle and high output like 3/4 or something. You should not give the concrete/rock time to settle in the bottom. If you are afraid your pipes won't handle the pressure when you plugg its time to replace them .. 

Biggest chance on plugg is when you try to prime very carefull and slow..

I am sorry to disagree with you Dipstick

Keep to the basics for priming, speed doesn't mater. If priming goes wrong there are only two reasons. 1 is rock pack and 2 is dry pack. When you try to prime in Z the possibility of rock packing is increasing with 400%. So you need to use just enough fluid to avoid dry packing. And you can learn how much fluid your boom needs in A frame, if there is fluid coming out after the prime you can use less.    

Perhaps its time you guys rolled up your sleeves, put down your fancy screen remotes and mixed a bucket of packing sand with water to make slurry just like most of us have been doing for the past 30 so years?

Pumbo What the hell is a screen remote    

dont feed the trolls.

screen remote =  putz HBC receiver with screen built in, i believe

clean boom pipes prime any position.  whatever is being used to prime, keep the primer in front.

i try to avoid sharp down then up primes.  even pressure through all the system till it comes out the drop hose.  not too fast not too slow, not too wet, not too dry,  full RPM, stay within yelling distance to the mixer.  pump on,  count my stokes finger on the trigger.

Other than boom position, does any one prime different when priming a roll-n-fold,  a 4Z or a 5Z? 

Most modern pumps come with a built in info screen on the remote, which does all the thinking for the operator. The info screen cant instruct you how to prime yet - so for now your just going to have to think your way through this).

These days with so much liability on the job don't take stupid risks b/c it may hurt someone , damage property and come back to bite you. Back to priming....

The position of the boom on a prime will not be of importance if you take the time to prep up and make it your routine just make sure:

a. your previous day had a clean pipeline on completion, and;

b. Slurry up in the morning, the port is there to make life easier (e.g. bag of cement, packing sand works best).

Prime with water only at full revs at your own peril. Nothing worse having a convoy lined up outside and the operator jammed the line or worse blew a pipe first load and gets kicked of the job.

Fair enough with your perspective based on experience in which the OP is probably a bit short on right now. A newbie asking a question which to some may seem trivial, but if he learns the right way to start a job he will be better for it long term. Water prime is risky esp. for someone who has just started out. If by the time the concrete gets to the tip and the aggregate has segregated (especially large aggregate) and it releases under pressure there is high possibility he may hurt someone. ****Packing Sand is a very course type clay based sand that when mixed with water forms a sandy grout like substance.