What Causes Wear on a Concrete Pump?

Posted On: 01/04/2021 | Posted by: DY Concrete Pumps

A concrete pump is a valuable tool for your business, but since concrete can be a very abrasive material and your pump is used in rough environments, it’s bound to suffer wear over time.

Fortunately, while wear can’t be avoided, it can be mitigated through scheduled maintenance. Performing regular maintenance on your machine is the best way to catch any worn parts before they become a problem. Neglecting routine maintenance is among the highest-ranking causes of part wear on concrete pumps.

Concrete Pump Problems Caused by Wear

Knowing the most common causes of concrete pump wear and which parts are most likely to fail can help you keep your pump problem-free.

If ignored, worn-out parts can lead to more extensive damage, costing you more money in repairs and unproductive downtime.

Pump Blockage

Pumping out concrete is the entire purpose of your concrete pump, so when your pump becomes blocked, it’s basically useless. Pump blockage is one of the most common issues that concrete pump owners and operators encounter.

You’ll know your concrete pump is blocked if no concrete comes out at the end of the pipeline and the pressure gauge starts to indicate elevated pressure in your machine.

When no other mechanical issues are present, blockages usually result from:

• Poorly mixed or low-quality concrete.
• Operator error.
• Pipeline wear.
• Maintenance neglect.

Preventing blockages is simple — make sure your concrete pump is being used correctly by an experienced operator and that you are using only high-quality pumpable concrete materials. Perform routine maintenance like cleaning your pipelines to clear out any hardened residues that may cause future blockages.

Pump Pistons

Your pump pistons are vital to your concrete pump’s functionality because they push your concrete through the pipeline. Given the nature of this task, your pump pistons will wear with use.

With normal wear, your pistons should only need to be replaced occasionally. If they seem to be wearing too quickly, it could indicate a problem with another part of your pump, such as the lubrication or hydraulic systems.

If everything seems to be functional, consider the quality of the parts you are using. Lower-quality pistons may wear faster with normal use. Though they may save you money now, they will end up costing you more in the long run.

Piston Cups and Other Wear Parts

Also known as mud cups or ram flanges, piston cups are among the small “wear parts” of a concrete pump.

Almost all concrete pumps on the market have small fittings, seals and fixtures referred to as wear parts. These parts take the brunt of the wear that occurs with machine use and require the most frequent replacement.

Performing regular maintenance on your pump is the easiest way to keep an eye on your wear parts and change them out when they begin to show damage. Failing to do so can lead to more extensive damage to your machine.

Protecting Your Concrete Pump

The most effective way to protect your concrete pump from damage caused by worn parts is to perform regularly scheduled maintenance. Though it may take time and cost a little money, the investment in maintaining your machine will go a long way toward protecting you from unexpected malfunctions and costly repairs.

Pay close attention to how many hours you have put on your concrete pump, and try to learn how it runs. When you are tuned in to the normal functions of your machine, you will be able to more easily identify abnormalities and quickly diagnose issues caused by worn parts.

For more information about concrete pumps, wear parts and replacement components, contact DY Concrete Pumps online or call 1-844-397-8677.