The simple answer to "how
concrete pumps work" is, a
concrete truck discharges its
concrete into a hopper on the back of the pump truck. The hopper has a mesh grate the
concrete falls through which prevents any large rocks or chunks from plugging the pump truck hoses. The hopper also has an auger that churns the
concrete keeping it liquid and flowable.
Once the
concrete is in the hopper, it gets sucked into a valve system in small intervals or strokes. As some of the
concrete is being sucked into the valve, the
concrete before it is being simultaneously pushed through the
concrete pipe on the pump truck boom until it reaches the end of the
concrete hose and placed where you need it.
Some
concrete pump trucks have different types of valve systems, s-valves, ball-valves, but basically that's how a
concrete pump works. As long as the hopper stays full and there are no blockages in the
concrete hoses, the process of pumping the
concrete goes quite smoothly.
Having a good
concrete pump truck operator is also very important. Their experience and wisdom is key to handling any problems that may occur, fixing them, and keeping the pour going.