13
Had a pour go sideways last Wednesday when my pump truck broke down mid slab
I'm still sore thinking about it. We were doing a 30 yard driveway pour, about 400 feet of concrete, and the pump just quit halfway through. No warning, no backup truck available for 2 hours. Ended up having to wheelbarrow the rest from the street while the first half was already setting up. My crew of 3 guys and me were absolutely wrecked by the end. The finish came out okay but I had to burn the clock on overtime just to get it done. How do you guys handle equipment failures on a big pour? Do you have backup plans or just cross your fingers?
2 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In2 Comments
carr.brooke13d ago
Oh man, that's a nightmare scenario right there. 30 yards with a wheelbarrow and only 3 guys sounds like pure misery, I feel for you.
8
christopher_sullivan13d ago
That 30 yard pour with a 400 foot run is brutal even with a working pump. Did you happen to check the hydraulic fluid levels on that pump before you started? I've seen guys skip that step because they're in a rush and it comes back to bite em every time. My old foreman used to keep a spare set of hoses and a basic repair kit in the truck for stuff like that, but it only helps if you catch it early. Did you have any idea the pump was acting up before it quit or did it just die cold turkey?
5