Knowledge base
Concrete pumping guides
Straight answers to the questions builders, owner-builders and contractors ask before a pour: which pump suits the site, what it costs, how to get the site ready, and how Far North Queensland weather and distances change the plan.
Stage 1 of 3 · Before you book
Choosing the right concrete pump
Line pump or boom pump, how far each can reach, and what the concrete itself needs to pump well.
How far can a concrete pump reach?
A 31 m boom reaches about 31 m up but only about 23.5 to 26.3 m out. How boom and line pump reach works, and what fits a Far North Queensland site.
9 min read ·
Do I need a concrete pump for my job?
You need a concrete pump when the agitator truck can't park within chute reach of the pour. Run our five-check access test for FNQ blocks before you book.
8 min read ·
What is pump mix concrete?
Pump mix is concrete designed to pass through a pump and line. What slump means on an Australian order, what to tell the plant, and why site water hurts.
10 min read ·
Stage 2 of 3 · Booking and site prep
Costs, booking and site preparation
What a pump costs, how much concrete to order, and how to have the site and the paperwork ready.
How much concrete do I need?
Multiply length by width by depth in metres, then add about 10% for wastage. Use the calculator and worked driveway, shed slab and path examples.
8 min read ·
How to prepare your site for a concrete pump
A concrete pump needs firm ground, clear truck access, distance from powerlines and a washout area. A Queensland site checklist built from the code of practice.
9 min read ·
Do you need a licence to operate a concrete pump?
Yes for a boom pump: Queensland operators need a PB high risk work licence. What line pumps need, what the code expects on site and what to ask.
8 min read ·
Stage 3 of 3 · On the day
Pour-day conditions in the tropics
Rain, heat and the clock: planning a pour around Far North Queensland weather and travel times.
Ready to book a pump?
See what we pump for homes, commercial builds and civil projects, or check the pumps in our fleet.