A concrete pump takes concrete from the transit mixer and places it where it is needed: an upper-floor slab, a deep raft or a column far from the road. On most multi-storey pours in Lahore, the pump decides how smoothly the day goes.
Types of pumps
| Type | What it is | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Boom pump | Truck-mounted pump with a folding arm that reaches the pour point | Open sites, wide roads, fast large pours |
| Line (stationary) pump | Trailer pump with steel or rubber pipes laid to the pour point | Narrow streets, long horizontal reach, tight sites |
| Mixer chute (no pump) | Concrete runs directly from the truck chute | Ground-level work next to the truck |
| Manual (pan and labour) | Labour carries concrete by hand | Very small pours; slow and tiring |
What each is used for
- Roof slabs on upper floors: boom pump if the road and space allow; line pump otherwise.
- Basement rafts: boom can reach down; line pump for confined sites.
- Columns and walls: pump with a hose to control placing.
- Commercial buildings: often a boom for lower floors and line pump with vertical pipes for higher floors.
Site checks before pump day
- Street width and overhead wires. Booms need space to open; LESCO lines and cables can block them.
- Truck positions. Space for the pump and a mixer behind it.
- Ground strength. Boom outriggers need firm ground, not fresh backfill.
- Pipe route for line pumps, with supports so pipes do not shake the shuttering.
- Shuttering and steel inspected by your engineer.
- Labour and vibrators ready before the first truck.
- Water for cleaning and curing.
How much pumping you need
Pump time depends on the volume poured and how fast trucks arrive. Calculate the volume from drawings (length × width × thickness) and share it with both the RMC supplier and pump operator. Ask the operator how long they expect your volume to take, and plan labour for that time.
Bulk-buying tips
- Book the pump with the concrete from the same supplier if possible, so timing is coordinated.
- Confirm pump type in writing based on a site visit or photos.
- Ask about minimum charges and what happens if the pour runs longer.
- Waiting time: clarify charges if your site is not ready.
- Invoices: get pumping listed separately from concrete.
- Payment: agree whether pumping is paid on the day or with the concrete bill.
What affects the price
- Pump type (boom vs line) and boom reach
- Volume pumped
- Floor height and pipe length
- Distance from the supplier's yard
- Minimum charge per pour
- Waiting time and overtime
- Night pours
We do not publish pumping rates. Get written quotes stating pump type, minimum charge and per cubic metre rate.
On pour day
- Confirm timings the evening before with the RMC supplier and pump operator.
- Prime the pump. Operators usually push a priming mix or slurry through the line first; ask how they dispose of it so it does not end up in your slab.
- Keep trucks steady. Gaps between mixers are the main cause of blockages and cold joints.
- Watch the shuttering. Pump pressure and heavy hoses can shift shuttering; keep a carpenter on standby.
- Vibrate as you go and keep labour moving with the hose.
- Clean the line at the end and keep washout water away from drains.
Questions to ask the operator
- Which pump do you recommend for my street, height and volume, and why?
- What is the minimum charge, and how is overtime billed?
- How long does setup take?
- Who is responsible if the line blocks and concrete is lost?
FAQs
Boom pump or line pump? Boom pumps are faster and need less setup but need road space and clearance. Line pumps work on narrow streets but take longer to set up.
Why do pumps block? Usually stiff or poorly mixed concrete, long gaps between trucks or poorly cleaned pipes. Keep trucks arriving steadily.
Will pumping change my concrete? Pumped concrete may need a mix suited to pumping. Tell the RMC supplier you are pumping so they design for it; do not add water at site without your engineer's approval.
Can I hire a pump without buying RMC from the same supplier? Some pump operators work independently. Coordination is easier when concrete and pump come from one supplier.
Sources
- No official source applies to pumping in Lahore; this page gives general, practical guidance. Get written quotes for prices.