pouring concrete [RE-wrenches]

[Gary Higbee]

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Joe,

For this amount of concrete it may make sense to hire a pumping crew. I just 
did a 6 yard pour for a couple decent-sized pole mounts (2.7Kw addition). In 
this case we had a seep and steep terrain that eliminated the possibility of 
backing up the truck. The operation went very smoothly, and the pour was a 
breeze. Just be very ready before they show up because things move fast. And 
if you do hire a pumping truck make sure they are coordinated with the 
concrete folks, as the mix is often different (pea gravel vs. sharp stuff, 
which protects the hoses).

I want to distinguish between the pumping rig and a boom truck. You don't 
need the expensive boom--just a trailer-based crew that has a hopper that 
the concrete truck feeds.

In our case we had about twice the distance you do, and the steep slope and 
seep would have made the wheelbarrow option very challenging without the 
construction of ramps, etc. The pumping crew ran $ 250, added to the fee of 
about $ 80/yard plus extra mileage. Yes it does cost more, but if you hire a 
crew with wheelbarrows how much will this run, and will you get stuck with 
extra charges from the concrete folks, as they slowly pour ton after ton 
into the wheelbarrows? With a pumper there should be no extra concrete truck 
time.

I understand your client not wanting a concrete truck on the lawn. It's 
amazing how deep those trucks can sink. Check out the pumping thing or ask 
the concrete folks what their thoughts are on booming the mix most of the 
way (though I think the max is around 20-something feet). Don't even think 
about mixing that amount of concrete with a small mixer and redi-mix.

Hope this helps...

Gary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                     ~ Windstream Solar ~
     Gary Higbee  (gary at windstreamsolar.com)
                     (541 ) 607-1818 (Eugene)
                        (541) 954-3881 (Cell)
Solar, wind, and hydro site analysis and system design
    Components dealer and installation assistance
 Energy Trust of Oregon contracted system inspector
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Felker" <joe at MAKtechnologies.biz>
To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
Sent: Sunday, September 26, 2004 2:21 PM
Subject: pouring concrete [RE-wrenches]
Hello,

We have a pole-mount job coming up and I would appreciate some advice about 
pouring concrete.  We have done pole mount systems before and on those jobs 
the site was accessible directly with a concrete truck.  No problem.

On our upcoming job, however, the homeowner does not want us to drive the 
truck across his lawn and I agree.  The risk of damage it too great.  We 
have to pour a total of around 6 yds. for the footings.

I see two options and I don't know which is the better choice:
    1. Use a truck to deliver the concrete and use cheap labor to 
wheelbarrow it from the driveway to the footing holes.
       It's a distance of about 60'.  We will have to pay extra charges for 
the concrete truck since he has to wait around
       for all the wheelbarrowing to get done.
    2. Rent a small mixer and mix it ourselves right on site.  I know with 
the ready mix that means around 240 bags at
        80 lbs each!

I would appreciate any help form those with experience dealing with these 
types of issues.

Thanks,
Joe Felker
 

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