Have you ever wondered how concrete is poured in high-rise buildings or big sports stadiums? If you work in the concrete industry, you already know. But for those who specialize in other areas, here’s your answer: It’s pumped there. Concrete is pumped through a pipe that connects to a boom, and the boom is often controlled with a remote by a skilled operator. Concrete pumping allows access to areas that are difficult to reach and projects that require a more precise pour. Pumping also increases concrete delivery speed and pours more consistently.
Those of you who already know the ins and outs of the concrete pump industry know that it has grown over the years. And as the economy improves and buildings rise, the concrete pumping industry is projected to keep growing.
Here’s an interesting fact that even concrete pump industry veterans might not know: Approximately 86% of truck-mounted concrete pumps rest on a Mack chassis. You veterans probably could have figured that out on your own. But if you’re operating a concrete pump that isn’t a Mack, perhaps you’ll look into switching after reading.
WHY MACK?
As a company, Mack engages with the construction industry in more ways than just truck manufacturing. Road and highway improvements are imperative to efficiently transport equipment and materials from the yard to the jobsite, and Mack supports taxes to make these improvements a reality while opposing current tolls on roads. And that’s not all.
Concrete pumps require customized equipment, and two Mack models make the perfect pumper platform: the Granite and the TerraPro. The TerraPro is the no. 1 chassis for pumper applications—it’s the toughest cabover—while the Granite has been the no. 1 conventional straight truck for years. According to Mack, the brand serves up 700 to 750 trucks for the concrete industry per year.
With Mack trucks making up a significant chunk of all concrete pump platforms, it’s no wonder the brand has good relationships with concrete pump manufacturers. Schwing builds its pumpers onto Macks because it is an operator favorite, and owners prefer the serviceability of the Granite versus other trucks. Drivers also enjoy the way the Granite drives. In the concrete pump industry, operators spend long hours in the cab of their trucks, and the comfort of a conventional cab increases driver/operator retention.
MACK SUPPORT
If a concrete pump truck experiences maintenance issues on the day of a job, the whole project could be in jeopardy. Owners can’t risk an unplanned maintenance event. That leads to another reason those in the concrete industry can’t get enough of Mack—for the brand’s multiple support programs. Mack has a body builder support program with a concrete industry-specific hotline. When a technician makes a call to this hotline, they aren’t greeted by a bot asking yes or no questions. They’re greeted by a real person with professional knowledge of the concrete pumping industry.
This support hotline works through Mack’s OneCall system, a 24/7 support and roadside assistance program accessible to any Mack owner/driver in the US and Canada. Owners also appreciate Mack’s GuardDog Connect program, a system that detects potential problems that could lead to downtime and calls in the problem. If the issue needs immediate attention, GuardDog Connect contact’s the OneCall system with the fault code, and a team of technicians analyzes the code and identifies the exact issue and needed repairs.
GuardDog Connect increases uptime, eliminates maintenance surprises, adds a live connection to a network of repair centers and support systems through Mack, and it provides drivers and owners peace of mind.
IN THE FIELD
Pioneer Concrete Pumping is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company is responsible for pouring the concrete in SunTrust Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, and the Mercedez-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta. Pioneer performs concrete pumps for commercial, highway, industrial, and residential construction projects.
Almost all Pioneer pumpers are manufactured by Putzmeister, and many rest on a Mack chassis as well. Tom Inglese of Pioneer says that operators are the key for concrete delivery, and a good truck improves driver retention and keeps operators ready for any action heading their way. Concrete pumping is such a time-sensitive profession that any changes in route taken or hesitation to pump could take a significant chunk out of a workday and an even larger chunk of money from the owner’s wallet.
If the job doesn’t call for a traditional concrete pump, a concrete pumping company like Pioneer might use Putzmeister’s Telebelt—also placed on a Mack chassis. The Telebelt is a conveyer belt system rather than a pump system. Telebelts are less expensive to maintain and operate (there are less moving components), but concrete placement isn’t as precise with a Telebelt as it is for a concrete pump. It is ideal for mass concrete placement in harsh terrain and is meant for quick use in general areas. It’s less specific than a concrete pump, but it works faster than any pump, and Inglese says it’s good for large mixes and pours.
PROFESSIONALS’ CHOICE
If the simple fact that 86% of concrete pumps are mounted on a Mack isn’t enough to convince you that a Mack chassis is likely the best brand for the industry, then maybe this will. The best concrete pump manufacturers in North America, arguably the world, choose to mount their highly specialized equipment on a Mack chassis. That’s because this equipment requires pump-specific trucks that Mack created with its Granite and TerraPro. It’s also because Macks are what the customers demand. The trucks have proven themselves to be reliable in an industry where time is critical—whether that’s simply because of expert engineering or Mack’s support programs.
Pair quality concrete pumps with quality trucks and experience increased uptime, increased driver retention, and the Mack support system owners across the globe depend on.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Mack Trucks manufactures heavy-duty Class 8 trucks, engines, and transmissions. The company has built trucks for more than 100 years and sells trucks in more than 45 countries. Every Mack truck built for the North American market is assembled in Macungie, Pennsylvania, and every engine and transmission built for the North American market is built in Hagerstown, Maryland. Mack is part of the Volvo Group. Find out more, visit www.macktrucks.com.
MODERN WORKTRUCK SOLUTIONS:
OCTOBER 2019 ISSUE
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