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LAS VEGAS LINE PUMPER VENTURES INTO BOOMS

Allan Benavides, Owner of Desert Concrete Pumping, Las Vegas, NV, remembers where he came from. For five years Mr. Benavides has built a business based on trailer mounted hydraulic line pumps. But the lure of boom pumps calls, especially when those calls come from customers who want Desert's level of service - but with a boom attached. But Benavides knows that his line pumps still pay the bills so he has chosen conservative growth into boom pumps with a used unit purchased from Concrete Pump Repair (CPR) in North Branch, MN.

Before his investment in Desert, Benavides held a position with a Las Vegas concrete finishing contractor. In 1999, he elected to invest in his own equipment. Benavides is the first to admit the operation experienced a rough start, "You don't want to work on the pumps more than they are working for you."

Benavides purchased his first Schwing line pump in 2001. "I decided to give them a shot, and they ripped through some seriously tough mixes without a problem."

Since then, Benavides has invested in two more pumps manufactured by Schwing America.

The Desert fleet of trailer pumps now consists of two WP 1000X trailer pumps and one truck-mounted BPL 1418.

One of Desert's WP 1000X trailer-mounted pumps is equipped with the E-Rock, which extends the valve and housing to keep up with the requirements of high volume pours with the harshest mixes. And that's an important feature with the notoriously tough mixes in Las Vegas.

"I've worked with masonry contractors and ready-mix suppliers who are completely blown away by the performance of the E-Rock," says Benavides. "They'll say, 'Do you know what you're pumping?' I always confirm the mix design before every pour, but for the most part, it's a non-issue with the Schwings. They can handle just about everything."

According to Benavides, Desert jobs consist of 70 percent residential work and 30 percent commercial work. The contractor pumps approximately 60 to 80 cubic yards every weekend, and crews complete 14 to 15 pours on a typical Saturday.

Hustle is the name of the game for the Desert crew, "Pool contractors can complete two to three pools in one day and finish off patio and footing work. It gets hot in the desert, but the 1000's get the shotcreting done regardless of the mix, despite the heat, no problem."

The versatility of his fleet has Benavides' crews on a variety of job sites. In October of 2004, one of Desert's pumps began work on the Gibson Wash just outside of the Las Vegas strip, a massive flood control project that will ring the area.

Desert's pumps are backed by Schwing's Southern California factory store in Los Alamitos, CA. "It's incredible peace of mind to know that my investment is backed by an organization that can meet our needs 24-hours a day, seven days a week."

In regard to the local cement shortage, Desert has an edge. "It's affected several contractors in the area, but we order and schedule our own concrete deliveries, and the local ready mix suppliers typically cooperate with our needs. They appreciate the productivity gains achieved with concrete pumps. Not only are there scheduling advantages; the reliability of the pumping equipment means we won't hold them up with maintenance or performance problems. They supply what we need and move on to the next job."

Benavides attributes Desert's success to a loyal, knowledgeable crew. "My head operator, Juan Guerrero has been with me for four years. If he can't pump it, it simply can't be pumped."

The success of his operation has offered Benavides the opportunity to focus on expanding his capabilities and his business. Adding a boom pump is part of that expansion. Because his boom pump came with a six-month warranty, Benavides secured peace-of-mind along with a completely refurbished pump, "The 42-meter is on the job every day of the week. Our existing customers are absolutely fighting over it and my customer base has expanded since I've added the boom pump."

Schwing Boom and Trailer Pumps Complete

World's Largest Circular Prestressed Water Tank

DYK Inc., El Cajon, CA, a leader in the design and construction of prestressed concrete water storage tanks, is reaching the final phases of construction on the 35,000,000-gallon capacity Earl Thomas Reservoir at the Alvarado Water Treatment Plant in San Diego, CA. Working under general contractor C.E. Wylie Construction Co., San Diego, CA, DYK called on operators and concrete pumps from American Standard Concrete Pumping, Fontana, CA, to install 20,000 cubic yards of structural concrete into the tank. To complete vertical prestressing and the exterior finish of the 35,000,000-gallon structure, DYK utilized one of their five WP 1000 XP trailer-mounted concrete pumps in an automated wet-mix shotcrete process.

The upgrade and expansion project is part of the City Water Department's Capital Improvements Program to ensure San Diego area water will meet all current and future drinking water standards and provide maximum protection of public health. Measuring 1289 feet in circumference with a 406-foot interior diameter, the $27 million reservoir will be the world's largest circular prestressed concrete tank of its kind. The addition will increase the storage capacity of the plant to a total 77-million gallons of drinking water, servicing 500,000 citizens. DYK's construction, prestressing and shotcrete divisions and pumping contractor American Standard began work on the reservoir on August 21, 2003.

Over their 40-year history, DYK is responsible for engineering, constructing or building more than 2.5 billion gallons of low maintenance prestressed concrete tanks. The company is known for embracing technological advancements to improve the construction of these tanks for water treatment, distribution, storage, and the retention of storm water runoff from industrial sites. Each phase of the Earl Thomas Reservoir tank construction reflects DYK's dedication to building strong, attractive tanks with greater seismic reliability, less leakage, low maintenance and longer life spans for municipal, industrial and commercial users.

In the early months of construction, DYK maximized production by simultaneously pouring the foundation, floor and walls on one section of the Earl Thomas Reservoir while grading was being completed on an adjacent section. Engineering and design plans by Malcom Pirnie/Richard Brady & Assoc., San Diego, CA called for a highly reinforced membrane concrete floor with a slight upward slope to the center of the tank. This conical hopper bottom design facilitates collection and removal of sediment at the perimeter. American Standard's KVM 52 and KVM 45 concrete boom pumps completed 12 separate floor pours, pumping between 400 and 500 yards at a time. Southern California Sales Manager Louis Arcia said that with over 170 feet of vertical reach, the contractor's 52-meter pump was able to complete 10 of the 12 total pours alone.

STRICT PM PROGRAMS INCREASE PERFORMANCE, LENGTHEN LIFE

More than just a catch phrase, preventative maintenance supplies pump owners with several benefits including safety, reliability on the job site, higher resale value, and priceless peace of mind. Pumping contractors across the country are recognizing the importance of installing rigorous programs to protect their livelihood.

Jeff Popa, Service Manager at Schwing America's White Bear, MN headquarters, says several factors contribute to the growing importance and popularity of stringent preventative maintenance programs. "Advancing technology has prompted some pump owners to pay closer attention to their programs," says Kline. "The technology is reliable but complicated, and all of the components require routine inspection. Contractors are also placing higher demands on their concrete pumps - tougher mixes, longer pours. The more wear and tear, the more often these practices should be implemented."

Lou Murray, Concrete Placement Manager with Meyer Materials Co., Des Plaines, IL, and Randy Waterman, Phoenix Branch Manager for Brundage-Bone Concrete Pumping, oversee preventative maintenance programs for their companies. The two provided details on their regimented operations.

First and foremost, both agreed on the importance of the one-operator-per-machine rule. "You can't put a value on assigning one specific operator to one specific pump," says Murray. "Our operators are with their machine sometimes ten to 14 hours a day. They are familiar with all of the idiosyncrasies that accompany that particular pump. For instance, our operators are the most qualified to diagnose a particular noise as a serious problem, and they are familiar enough to know if it's simply the way the pump performs."

Both companies keep tabs on preventative maintenance programs through requiring extensive paperwork from their operators and maintenance crews. Meyer Materials has implemented a process for three categories; boom pipe thickness, truck tire maintenance, engine and pump service are all carefully documented according to Lou Murray's guidelines. Major service and maintenance needs, particularly those outsourced, are also carefully documented.

"It's almost like the military when I talk about it," says Brundage-Bone's Randy Waterman. "Their maintenance checklists aren't just suggestions, they're requirements. They have to turn in their punch-lists and pick up literature on safety and other policy notices before they receive their paychecks. For one thing, state law enforces daily DOT inspections. The pumps have to meet state standards before they even hit the job, and for the most part, the operator is responsible for the condition of the pump. It's not only a company concern, it's a matter of personal responsibility." Brundage-Bone's Phoenix Branch Maintenance Supervisor is responsible for collecting data and keeping updated records on each operator and each pump.

Both contractors require completed paperwork on specific areas on the boom pump and truck. Meyer Materials crews inspect all aspects of the hydraulic system once every month as part of their routine maintenance checklist. The company also requires regular use of filter carts, instruments used to filter new hydraulic fluid and condition fluid already in use. Murray explains why the company implements the use of filter carts once a year. "Clean hydraulic oil means a healthy hydraulic pump. Filtering new oil ensures there is no contamination right out of the drum. It's peace of mind."

Brundage-Bone's Randy Waterman says the company's routine maintenance program requires that crews replace the motor oil every three hundred operating hours. Crews utilize filter carts to filter hydraulic oil each time the oil is replaced. "I could never really qualify it with a number, but the filter carts have certainly provided an extended life for the hydraulic pumps."

Jerry Anderson, General Manager of Concrete Pump Repair (CPR), runs a tight ship at the Schwing-certified parts and service center in North Branch, MN. Anderson says filtering or changing out the hydraulic fluid is one of the most important aspects of pump maintenance. "I'd recommend oil change-out, tank clean-out and filter use once a year at minimum."

Anderson also says maintenance to the pumps electrical system is an important component to pump performance and life span. "When it comes the electrical system, there should be no quick fixes. A thorough inspection is absolutely vital - bypassing any type of potential problem poses serious threat to the pump's performance."

Boom pipe maintenance is another obvious consideration for both contractors. When it comes to inspecting the wear and tear on a pipe, Meyer Materials depends on ultrasonic technology.

"A while ago, you'd use the old-school system to inspect the boom pipe for deficiencies. Walk up, tap on the pipe. You might have heard something that indicated the pipe was thin, and you might switch it out. We invested in an ultrasonic gauge to inspect boom pipe wear. Now we've got the technology to thoroughly inspect the pipe on a regular basis without the guesswork," says Murray.

Meyer's operators are supplied with standardized sheets to ensure every feature of the boom is inspected for wear. As an extra precaution, Meyer changes out their fleet's boom pipes based on yardage.

Brundage-Bone's crews flip and rotate boom pipes at certain pre-determined points in the pipe's life. "The main objective behind boom pipe maintenance is to utilize the pipe to its full life without getting greedy. We chart yardage and flip and rotate the boom pipe when it's one-third and two-thirds into its typical life span. And we make sure we're not being too optimistic about wear and tear," says Waterman. Once it reaches the end of its pre-determined life cycle, crews replace the pipe.

Brundage-Bone also executes elbow rotation at the same time they inspect boom pipes for wear. "It's an important step in PM," says Waterman. "It has certainly allowed us a 20% elbow life increase."

Meyer Materials also practices elbow rotation on a regular basis. "We use our ultrasonic gauge to inspect the elbows as well. We don't let it get to a point where we're throwing out a pipe prematurely, but we're very careful. We keep the elbows marked and rotate them before there's any extensive wear. We also inspect the gaskets and change them out routinely."

"We're regularly checking our Rock Valve wear parts. Particularly during our slow months in January and February, we make sure we do a thorough check of everything - seals, bushings, cuttings - and we make sure the rings are greased."

Inspection of Rock Valve wear parts is on the weekly schedule for Brundage-Bone crews. "It's part of being an operator," said Waterman. "Wear part inspection is one of their top priorities."

As part of their strict maintenance regimens, Meyer Materials and Brundage-Bone make sure boom inspections are executed regularly. While Meyer out-sources their boom inspection and repair services, Brundage-Bone boom pumps are sent to the company's own rebuild facility in Seattle, WA. "We've got an in-house Schwing-certified serviceman and inspector who completes the inspections and repairs that he deems necessary," says Waterman.

CPR's Jerry Anderson says boom inspections should be executed based on age: pumps from one to five years old should be inspected at least once a year; pumps five to ten years old should be inspected once every six months, and pumps above ten years old should be inspected every 500 operating hours. DOT inspections should be conducted once a year. "In the interest of safety, performance and pump life, any recommended repairs should be done immediately following these inspections." CPR employs four boom inspectors and four welders to execute required repairs.

To prevent costly repairs for problems diagnosed during boom inspections, the contractors make sure that all moveable boom parts remain properly greased.

"We have autogreasers on all of our larger boom pumps, and those are checked regularly and maintained to a standard. Our operators make sure that the smaller booms stay manually greased," says Meyer Material's Lou Murray.

Waterman says that the newer boom pumps within Brundage-Bone's fleet are equipped with autogreasers, and operators are responsible for maintaining their performance as well. Operators assigned older models execute strict weekly greasing schedules.

CPR's Jerry Anderson says that auto-greasers are a viable addition to a standard concrete pump. "Ideally, the boom should be greased once a week, and the back end should be greased after each and every pour," says Anderson. "Autogreasers have to be carefully maintained, and movable parts should be checked constantly to ensure proper greasing."

Truck maintenance is also an important consideration in regular PM programs. "Our own mechanics practice the 300-hour rule for oil changes and filters. Larger, more extensive maintenance or service is outsourced. We're very careful with our tire maintenance. Before Meyer implemented a monthly system, we were running into problems with the manufacturer. Now, we make sure to consistently check the air pressure and keep detailed monthly records of tire maintenance," says Murray.

Brundage-Bone takes boom truck maintenance just as seriously. "Our entire company also operates by the 300-hour rule," says Waterman. Tires are checked and rotated by the tire manufacturer every month, and Brundage-Bone follows their recommendations when it comes to replacement.

All 30 Brundage-Bone locations utilize the same vendors for consumables such as tires, filters, and hydraulic oil. "It makes sense from a financial standpoint," says Waterman. "But it also allows all of us to communicate about the best way to handle PM practices and scheduling. Establishing a relationship with a vendor is also important - they have a vested interest in providing you with the best parts and the best advice for maintenance."

Climate also has an effect on contractors' PM programs. With headquarters in the northern Midwest, Meyer takes the winters seriously. "We keep the pumps in a heated shed year round to protect them from the elements. When it comes to the coldest of cold - and we've got it in Illinois - we follow the manufacturer's recommendations to a tee to ensure we can keep up with production requirements without endangering the pump."

Waterman discussed the necessity behind oil coolers in the southern states. "Our newer pump purchases are all equipped with oil coolers, and we've even retrofit some of our older models to incorporate them," says Waterman. "By increasing the viscosity and lowering the operating temperature, we've increased the life of the hydraulic pumps."

Regarding cleanliness, both contractors claim it's nearly a non-issue. "I've never found it necessary to explain the importance of having a clean concrete pump, says Murray. " Thank goodness we've got some neat freaks in here. We're always complemented on how clean our pumps are - that motivates my operators and my maintenance team to make sure we're representing the company appropriately."

"Once again, it's in the hands of our operators," says Waterman. "They understand that Brundage-Bone has corporate standards and an industry-wide reputation. The majority of that, certainly in the general public's eye, can be attributed to the appearance of our pumps."

Meyer Material's Lou Murray and Brundage-Bone's Randy Waterman commented on the benefits of stringent PM programs.

"Before we implemented these standardized maintenance schedules we were essentially working by the honor system," says Murray. "Some guys were more careful than others. We were having a lot of issues with our tires, and knew it would be beneficial for us to keep tabs on our maintenance. The manufacturers were blaming us for poor performance and we needed to document our practices. It simply expanded from there."

"In terms of resale and trade-in value, I look at it the same way I do a used car," says Murray. "If you the buyer or manufacturer doesn't know what the pump's been through, there's no way they should accept it. I respect that and provide the appropriate documentation."

"We have a vested interest in these pumps," says Waterman. "Not only do some of these steps increase the life of the concrete pump, they increase the performance. We're able to service our customers with peace of mind and a lot of pride. The time it takes to implement a program is well worth it in the long run."

In terms of resale, Brundage-Bone has one of the best track records in the industry. "Our PM program has provided us a reputation, and there's never a problem selling one of our used pumps."

Die neue Generation von Fahrmischerpumpen -

SCHWING-Stetter kombiniert das Beste

Das weltweit fuhrende Systemhaus fur Betonbaumaschinen prasentiert eine vollig neu konzipierte Fahrmischerbetonpumpen-Serie. Diese ist vorwiegend geschaffen fur Bau- und Sanierungsma?nahmen mit geringerem Frischbetonbedarf, ist aber auch fur die Forderung von Mortel geeignet. Bei der Entwicklung wurde vor allem die Modularisierung der kombinierten Systeme weiter vorangetrieben. So kann jeder Kunde die Maschine nach seinen Wunschen konfigurieren, ohne Kompromisse bei Kosten und Lieferzeit eingehen zu mussen.

Basis der neue FBP ist der C+ Fahrmischer von Stetter, der ebenfalls auf der bauma 2004 erstmalig der Offentlichkeit prasentiert wurde. Damit ist die FBP jetzt ebenso pflegeleicht wie ein Stetter Fahrmischer. Als Ausleger werden drei Mastmodule mit Reichhohen von 21 m, 24 m und 26 m zur Auswahl stehen. Diese wurden komplett neu entwickelt und zeichnen sich durch ihre Gewicht sparende Mastgeometrie aus.

Entscheidender Vorteil der FBP-Serie ist, die weiterentwickelte Langhubpumpe. Grundsatzlich langs eingebaut, ermoglicht sie eine Betonforderung mit weniger Intervallen und folglich weniger Verschlei? an der Maschine.

Der nun im Schiebersystem integrierte Unterfahrschutz gewahrleistet au?erdem beste ruckwartige Bodenfreiheit bei geringst moglichem Uberhang. Seitliche Anbau-Module nehmen servicefreundlich die Steuerungssysteme auf und schaffen viel Platz fur nutzliches Zubehor.

Fur optimalen Bedien-Komfort ist die FBP serienma?ig mit der neuartigen und zukunftssicheren VECTOR-Steuerung mit Klartext-Menu-Fuhrung ausgestattet.

SCHWING prasentiert den langsten Mast auf 3 Achsen

Das weltweit fuhrende Systemhaus fur Beton-Baumaschinen zeigte auf der bauma eine Innovation, die in der 30-Meter-Klasse die Ma?stabe neu definieren wird: Die S 39 SX von SCHWING ist mit 39 Metern die weltweit hochstreichende Auto-Betonpumpe auf 3-Achs-Fahrgestell. Moglich wird dies u.a. durch die patentierte Bogenabstutzung und die Anti-Torsionsrahmen-Bauweise.

Erstmals bietet eine Auto-Betonpumpe in der Klasse bis max. 26 t zul. Gesamtgewicht die zahlreichen Vorteile der Super-X-Abstutzung. Die Bogenform der einteiligen Stutzen ermoglicht eine geringe Abstutzbreite vorne. Dank einer direkt ausfahrenden hinteren H-Abstutzung verfugt die S 39 SX uber eine insgesamt 80 % kleinere Aufstellflache als raumgreifende Klappabstutzungen. Ein klarer Vorteil bei den immer starker eingeschrankten Platzverhaltnissen auf Baustellen.

Ein weiterer Pluspunkt der Bogenabstutzung ist die Rahmenkonstruktion: Hierbei erlaubt der Freiraum zwischen vorderer und hinterer Abstutzung den Einbau einer Pumpenbatterie mit einem extrem langen Hub. Die sich daraus ergebenden geringen Umschaltungen fuhren zu einem reduzierten Verschlei?, und somit zu einer erhohten Wirtschaftlichkeit fur den Betonpumpdienst. Das geringe Eigengewicht der Maschine von deutlich unter 26 t und eine Gesamtlange von unter 12 m erlauben uneingeschrankte Einsatze ohne behordliche Ausnahmegenehmigungen. Serienma?ig ausgestattet ist die Maschine mit der neuartigen, modular aufgebauten VECTOR-Steuerung mit Klartext-Display sowie der bewahrten Pulsar-Prop-Maststeuerung.

Optionen wie einseitiges Abstutzsystem EASy+, Betonabsperrventil am Endschlauch und automatisches Beleuchtungs-System, runden den Kundennutzen ab. Au?erdem ermoglicht die flache und geschlossene Gestaltung des Maschinenaufbaus mit ebenen, glatten Oberflachen eine problemlose Reinigung.