Pouring Concrete

[RichNJKubota]

I'm pouring 3 large footings 250ft from the driveway. Each footing takes 4 cubic yards from concrete and they are basically just holes in the ground.
I priced a concrete pump and that came to $1100. So I have a couple questions:
1. Can a concrete truck safely traverse solid ground to get to the footings?
2. Any other ideas on how to save the cost of the pumper?

Thanks,
Rich

 

[ChrisJ]

Most construction sites do not have pavement up to the pour site. The concrete trucks around here are all 4 or 6 wheel drive. As long as the ground is not too muddy or too soft you should be able to get a truck in, just make sure there's plenty of room to maneuver.

Good luck

 

[BB_TX]

That should be no problem. When I built my 30'x40' building, I had a concrete contractor do the slab. He had 4 concrete trucks pour 39 yards of concrete. They drove over about 400' of pasture to get to the site leaving only minor tire tracks. Of course the ground was dry at the time.

 

[Fireman_dcb]

Rich,

We had a concrete aisle poured in our horse barn... 1 large concrete truck drove over the pasture (before the fence was put up) without any problems. But I was told that we'd have to pay for towing if he got stuck, be sure its dry!

 

[ManofMystery]

Rich,

If you're going to tailgate the concrete, be sure to figure out how close the truck is going to be able to get, and how far the chute will have to reach. Tell the concrete company before the pour, so the driver can bring extra chutes if he needs them. You want to avoid moving the concrete once it's placed to the greatest extent possible.

 

[RichNJKubota]

Thanks guys,
Tomorrow I'm calling the concrete company and see if a sales rep or driver could stop by and take a look.

Rich

 

[EddieWalker]

One thing that came up on a recent project was sand. The concrete truck was backing up to the slab and hit a spot with enough sand that he started spinning his tires.

My concrete contractor had about 30 sheets of 3/4 plywood in a trailer ready for just this reason.

Those trucks are very heavy and if they lose traction, you're going to have to get him moving again.