Concrete Pumps - Delivering Higher Volumes

Concrete pumps are undergoing all-round advancements from more robust designs, to enhanced digitization with IoT for predictive maintenance, to higher mechanization, so that they can meet wider application requirements and deliver higher volumes, with greater ease of operation. NBM Media reports.

To enable wider application scope and deliver higher volumes, and thereby assure contractors of higher plant optimization so that they can derive more profitability from their machines, manufacturers are incorporating enhanced features in their concrete pumps.

Says V.G.Sakthikumar, MD, Schwing Stetter India, “We have been watching the emerging application trend of pumps through the mix design concrete. One on hand, there are requirements of pumps that can generate more pressure and thereby deliver more volume. On the other hand, there is the stiffer nature of concrete that needs to be delivered at heights as well. Accordingly, we have rationalized the design of our concrete pumps and boom placers so that they can adapt to varied application requirements.”

“Based on the nature of applications that our rock valve pumps are likely to undergo, we have made changes in the fitment of the power packs for delivering higher fuel efficiency leading to lower cost of operation and optimization of the pump. Changes have been made in the diameter and length of the pipeline so as to make the pumps better adapted to varied pressure requirements and the volume they need to deliver.”

Schwing Stetter India offers trailer pumps in the range of 35-400 hp. Schwing truck mounted concrete boom pump S17, S20, S36X and S43 SX concrete boom placers through varied chassis offerings of Tata, Ashok Leyland and Mahindra. It is augmenting its production capacity at its Irungattukottai, Sriperumbudur, Kancheepuram facility, and has patented its new hydraulic tanks. To cater to the requirements of ready-mix concrete, the company is promoting its truck-mounted mobile concrete pumps, even though demand for this solution is still modest, but growing.


To strengthen its customer service, it is increasing its current 400 service personnel and has developed a new customer relationship management package. “Our machines have enhanced digitization through IoT, such that varied operating parameters can be monitored and the data stored in the cloud-based system for analysis, for preventive and predictive maintenance of the machines,” informs Sakthikumar.

Sailaj Verma Senior Vice President Sales, KYB-Conmat India says, “KYB-Conmat pursues a research and development (R&D) strategy that is closely linked to the client’s expectations. The approach has enabled us to offer the industry, a whole range of i-Pump technology machines which includes the SCP 5000 and SCP 7500. The stationary concrete pump with intelligent controls have many features like S-Valve technology, robust electronic operation controls and management with manual overdrive, also it is suitable for high pressure pumping and Indian ambient conditions making one of the most functionally competent pump in its class.”

He adds, “The i-Pump technology Concrete pump makes transfer and placement easier and faster for casting of civil structures. It also reduces manpower requirements at the site and also avoids human errors in the process. This altogether makes the i-Pump technology machines very economical to run and are environmentally friendly.”

Sharing details on some key advancements made in the pumps, Verma mentions,“KYB – Conmat team has put consistent efforts to mitigate innovation at every single stage of production, sales and service. Thus, to enhance higher productivity and compose the homogenous output mix, KYB – Conmat’s Pumps has been designed in a compact size that eases the mobility and is apt for a user - friendly functioning. Our pumps requires minimum maintenance, thus assuring continuous performance in tough conditions. It requires minimum installation area and is equipped with fully automatic S-Valve technology. The S-valve technology allows pumping with higher concrete pressure to reach higher output at great heights. At the same time, the wear and tear of an S-valve pump is lower and so the operation costs are considerably lower. Besides the lower operation cost, the pump operation is also more comfortable. Due to the close circuit of an S-valve pump, the pump and pipeline can be cleaned by simply pumping water instead of concrete. With S-valve concrete pumps, reverse pumping is also possible which solves the choking problem in many cases without disassembling and cleaning of the pipeline.”

KYB-Conmat offers total solutions, according to Verma, right from the point of sales till the project completion. “This has enabled us to get repeat customers than the market standards. We have much higher repeat customer rate than the market standards. Our service support desk is technically qualified with service professionals who are experienced in construction equipment erection, commissioning and service.

KYB-CONMAT offers best customer support in understanding and resolving the KYB Conmat machinery related problems immediately. Multiple nodes are used for providing solutions online for any plant software related problems. Immediate solution can be given depending on the nature of the problem. Our team provides online support from 9 Am to 7 Pm for software related problems and other service 24x7 over phone. If necessary we assign qualified service engineers to the plant, after understanding the nature of the problem.”

The advanced concrete pumps are well likely to enhance productivity and lower operating costs. However, it is vital for manufacturers to offer proactive product support for higher utilization of the equipment.