Can Concrete Pumps Work In Cold Weather?

Can I use a concrete pump in cold weather? You may need to work with concrete in cold weather when the temperature is around 10 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit). However, there are various recommendations and strategies to keep in mind when working with concrete in the winter.

Many contractors face challenges such as work delays during cold weather, which may force them to work in harsh conditions, such as the need to use concrete pumps during the winter months. Here are some suggestions that will be valuable if a new concrete contractor needs to work in cold weather.

Use hot water

When the temperature drops during concrete construction, the concrete may freeze in the hopper or boom. Once the concrete freezes, it cannot be pumped properly until the frozen area is removed, which can cause a serious setback to the job schedule.

Using very hot water to prepare the concrete mix is one way to prevent concrete from freezing in cold weather. This tip applies even if you are using ready-mixed concrete. As the concrete is transported or pumped to the site, the hot water will keep the mixture warm, which is critical to the quality of the concrete.

When the temperature is 50 degrees F or lower, the concrete must be 50 degrees F or higher before it can be put into the forms. While it is possible to heat water in the mixer to no more than 170 degrees Fahrenheit, it is not recommended to mix concrete at temperatures below 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

Preheating Equipment

Another way to prevent handling frozen concrete is to use a concrete pump discharge line preheating device. This equipment heats the pipe during the concrete delivery process to prevent the concrete from freezing in the pipe. The preheating equipment can use fuel oil, electricity or steam as the heat source. When using preheating equipment, attention needs to be paid to the temperature of the pipes to ensure that the concrete is not overheated or otherwise damaged. The equipment also needs to be regularly maintained and serviced to ensure that it is working properly and that parts are replaced in a timely manner when necessary. Preheating equipment plays an important role in handling frozen concrete and can improve the efficiency and quality of concrete construction.

It is very important to protect boom pipes and prevent concrete from freezing during concrete placement. For this reason, we provide some methods to protect the boom pipe, such as wrapping the boom pipe with insulating material, using foam pipe material, and properly freeze proofing and grading the pipe components before and between pours.

In addition to this, attention needs to be paid to the temperature of the concrete. Batching concrete in conditions below 35°F is not recommended, but can be accomplished by heating the water in the mixer to a temperature of no more than 170°F. Exterior piping also requires proper frost protection, such as using a construction blanket to cover unused piping.

When placing concrete in extremely cold or otherwise difficult conditions, employees should be well prepared and provided with appropriate cold-weather clothing, such as insulated gloves and jackets. In addition, manufacturers may have their own temperature limits and ignoring these warnings may result in weakening and breaking of the concrete boom, so always follow the manufacturer's instructions and limits.

ZOOMJO is a manufacturer specializing in concrete mixer pumps and concrete trailer pumps. The company is dedicated to the development and production of high quality and efficient concrete conveying equipment to meet the various needs of its customers.