I used to love the change of scenery, you get to go to a different job site every day, meet different people. Etc. The money was fantastic when I operated pumps in the late 1980s. What I liked least was the potential for extremely bad things happening whether it would be hitting powerlines, unsecure footing, somebody kinking the hose and having a blowout and hurting somebody. Notoriously you always have somebody standing at the end of the boom guiding you into a dangerous area (wires) that they think is safe that is not. I did love starting early in the morning and sometimes being done by noon. And then, like almost everybody said you would have days that were so long, It would literally run into the next day. Once you start, you just can’t stop. I remember one day pumping concrete underwater, pouring bridge pilings and it was going slow as hell with the divers, the day got longer went into the night, went through the next day. Troubleshooting is always a great adventure, being able to see a problem before it happens it is quite an advantage. Technology has changed so much since I ran a pump last. But my God to make it through the 500 yard pour without something breaking was very slim. Keep up the great videos
A point of clarity, alot of the guys kept saying hours but I wanna be clear. Its not the fact that its 10-16 hour days, its the fact that you’re likely up from about 4AM and thats when those hours start. Huge adjustment from any other job, was certainly the biggest adjustment for me. Had to be super strict to friends and family about me being home and in bed by 9pm the latest. Super informative video as always Scott!
Agreed. We’re fortunate here on the Vancouver area that voice bylaw for residential work is usually 7:00-7:30 AM. It provides at least some level of sanity to the hours and helps to off-set those 4:30AM start times for many of the large commercial jobs:
@@dannpriebe well I actually am a part owner in a concrete pumping business outside the us/ca and I run dispatch as well. Every morning is standard getting up at 4am and if theres an early morning pour then 2/3 like you say. It can be tough, but is rewarding when you combine it with all the other stuff (good training, safety first, continuous maintenance and a happy staff)
Getting some experience as a mixer driver before getting into pumping definitely helps. You learn about different fucked up mixes like 24 hour high early, calcium loads, etc etc.
Absolutely. Operating a boom is about the worst place to “learn concrete”, placing finishing, driving mixer, running a line-pump are all much more forgiving in terms of the respective learning curves.
I started pumping back in jamaica with my father-in-law who aquired a Putz lone pump, then moved up to a small 3 stage Schwing, drove mixers both drum and volumetric....moved to canada and got back into the field. I must say i love it, meeting people and the challenges makes the day go by faster, i cant say there is anything that i hate about it. @sarniaconcrete its like family. Love the way you do things at CJ, keep up the good work and hope to meet you in person someday soon. Respect man!!!
A appreciate the kinds words. I’m same way in that the daily challenges as well as the camaraderie between builders, mixer drivers, and placer/finishers is what makes the days enjoyable for me.
If you ever get a chance to. He lout WOC in Vegas I’m down there most every year. It’s always nice chatting with people and learning how things are done in markets outside of our own.
@@canadianconcretepumper1979 it would definitely be nice to link up at WOC. Been there twice in the past, great show, lots to take in.. Keep the content coming.
As a concrete pump business owner there was one statement that was mentioned in the video - BE PROACTIVE NOT REACTIVE and its critical when dealing with machines as downtime cost money and increases stress to everyone involved. Take the time to get to know the machines and there capabilities with various concrete mixes. Come up with various worst case scenarios if something goes wrong, what will i do. For example a pipe burst, can it be replaced with another hose on site?, can it be patched in order to finish job or clean out the pump. Also come up with ways to clean out as sites are becoming more restricted, water-air-or a yard washout. Overall allow yourself time to gain experience and never stop learning.
Love this comment! Yes, my “regular pump” (back when actually I had one) I like to think I had my bases covered for most any situation. Washout bags, 6” ZX blowout cap, extra fan-belt and tensioner, etc… . Being even just a little bit proactive can make this career so much less stressful.
After 32 years on a concrete pump, 16 on my own and 16 employed by a medium sized pumping company, now retired in central Ontario, there’s been many, many ups and downs. After years on a ready mix truck I decided to go out and lease a pump ! No training except I was shown how to set it up in a parking lot. My first job was under hydro wires in the rain and it got progressively better from there. I’ve trained quite a few people over the years and my personal, favourite piece of advice to new operators is…never think you’re any better or more important than anyone else on site. Not the mixer drivers, not the finishers, not the superintendent. Over all these years I’ve seen too many prima donna pump operators who think they’re more important than others.
The experience is something incredible in the pumping of concrete I want to comment on this video my friend Scott a person of maximum knowledge that this channel has the videos that he uploads I watch them all with a TH-cam translator in the pumping of concrete sometimes there are obstacles which We are so professional that there is no way out but we managed to deliver the concrete to the client in a satisfied manner and with respect to the concrete canada people they are operators with great knowledge and practice in the field which they teach operators of the concrete pumping guild in the world I am 11 years old In my profession as an operator and instructor in pumping, I have learned many things, thanks Scott, your channel is excellent, I teach for South America, blessings to all operators, a piece of advice, let's love our profession of concrete pumping every day, I say it because I am a crazy amateur, this is not blessings for many pumping concrete family
Just want to say thank you for these videos! Just discovered u about a week ago from muddyfeet and these vids are awesome! Been driving a mixer for 3 years n will b starting my pumping career soon :)
Thank you brother. Muddy Feet is the channel which inspired me to start doing this. Hoping to get together with Jeff sometime in the future and shoot some vids.
@@canadianconcretepumper1979hey what advice would u give to someone starting off as a solo owner operator! Of a pump boom truck with no experience in concrete pumping?
@@RODRIGUEZMAKAVELI The best advice I would have given is to spend a couple of years working for a pump company and learning the trade. The curve can be steep, and expensive when diving in both feet first.
The best advice I can give: -know the dunnage calculations for your outriggers and always estimate ground conditions to be twice as bad as they may appear. -don’t mess around with short-rigging or power lines when your new (ideally not ever). -always use primer (both boom and line pumps) -always suck 2 sponges (boom) -carry a bag of brown or golden sugar in the pump at all times. -always recirculate while waiting on concrete. If unable to recirculate, at least suck back a sponge and/or washout. Most importantly: watch every single one of my videos (I’m kidding, but given the circumstances, I think there’s a few which could be of some help to someone first starting out in the industry).
I started my own channel after discovering Muddy Feet’s channel a few years ago and promptly binge-watching most every single video of his in just a matter of a couple of weeks time. Glad your are enjoying it. Appreciate you following and commenting 🙏
I've been around concrete pump's since I was a kid over 30 year's now here in Ireland and I've run them all from line pumps to 63m Putzmeister but now I just run the small pumps and line pump because i don't want to be on the big pumps and Job's anymore I like doing the small Job's like somebody putting a small addition onto a House here in Dublin and its one truck of concrete. Do 2 or 3 jobs like that a day and get home early
Let me tell you, that 38-5 is in my opinion the most operator friendly concrete pump which I have ever run. I ran most every Putz size/model leading up to the 38-5, and they got most everything on that pump just right. Cherish it daily 😁
I pump in Smithers bc and the views are the best & the people. The worst part is when I can’t get to do a inspection I can drive 2-3 hours to get to the job I like the vid 👍
We're fortune down here in that most of our sites are within 30-45 minutes of our yard. As such we scout out the vast majority of our work ahead of time. Definitely reduces potential stress for all parties involved. I will say however, rolling into sites blind makes an operator out of ya real quick! Thanks for watching the channel brother.
Great video Scott. Love hearing the back story of some of the crew and the ins and outs of the trade. Ever consider making a little video explaining the company history and maybe showing some of the more interesting jobs and problems you’ve run into over the 22 years you’ve been pumping? Cheers from Ontario.
I certainly have. I almost thought it might be fun to get 3-4 operators together and do a little podcast style discussion where we could trade old war stories.
Watched a lot of your video's hope toe have the oner of maybe working for you some day been in the trade for 6 years now really want to get my pump ticket soon as. Keep on making video's
@@jasonkingsley7612 I LOVE to hear this. Our industry is desperately short of eager new talent, and in need some fresh blood to eventually take the reins from us old guys whom are aging out. Never been a better/more opportune time to pursue a career in concrete pumping, IMO.
gola my brother Scott juy the city pump oh my favorite is beautiful the 2110 is a beauty to see it what a beauty that they take good care of it greetings to the colleague God bless Canada one day be there to pump concrete blessings scott excellent video
The hardest part about the job is the not knowing of when your gonna be finished, you could be on for a winner and early finish then next minute plant breaks down and your waiting 3 hours keeping the concrete alive. The money's good though and when the job is going good it's great but it can soon go south
Pros- Good Money Cons- Long hours Dirty job High Maintenace of pumps High risk with booms Dealing with concreters Random hours Early starts Chasing money from contractors Big learning curve Waiting for concrete on job sites.
im 22 just started 3 weeks ago, its a lot to take in. im grateful for the hard working jobs i previously worked to allow me to really take in how nice this line of work really is. i have not been this excited about a job in years, i want it to work out so bad. i noticed its more mentally exhausting than physically at times. ive been watching many videos like this one and even joined a few groups. i appreciate this video as im just starting out. greetings from upstate new york 🤝
I liked what Dan had to say. Enjoy life! Don’t sweat the small stuff. The job can be hard enough sometimes for you to get excited over the small stuff. Going on my 11th year I’ll pitch in and say that pumping concrete can be hard physical work. The long hours can wear and burn a guy out sometimes. I enjoy the fact that most jobs you go to will be different and you might have to problem solve on the spot. I like the feeling of accomplishment when the job is finished, specially if things go wrong and you manage to get through the job one way or another. Again, problem solving and troubleshooting. Last one is working with a crew that know what they are doing makes ALL the difference in how enjoyable your job for the day is going to be.
So well said Rick. I agree with everything you said. Dan is one of the coolest heads in the pumping game. If I had a son, I’d want Dan to train him as a pump operator.
The best piece of advice I could give is don’t be frustrated with how long it takes to get smooth. I was really frustrated for having ran a lot of equipment and picking up on it quickly. It took me 1.5 yrs to finally think I was doing a good job. Also your not around another pump guy to check yourself against. I was trained and started out on a 47m. Now I run a 38 and a 47 and understand why a few people have told me you need to learn on the smaller booms first.
Para mí lo más feo o canson es cuando el hormigón llega sabiendo uno que no es bombeable pero hay veces que no lo recibo pero en mi país Colombia hay mucho ingeniero mediocre que por q es una bomba de concreto tiene q bombearlo osi no tu eres el q no quieres trabajar así son lo más hermoso es bombeo en altura me encanta en esta profesión hay momentos geniales como momentos que dan ganas de acabar con todo jajaja pero es hermoso amo mi profesión ya con 11 años en esta hermosa profesión como operador profesional es hermoso mi consejo es decirle alos operadores que amemos lo que hacemos y cuidar nuestras unidades ya que sonas de nosotros que de los dueños y algo muy importante es ejecutar la seguridad en obra ciempre ala defensiva en cualquier punto bendiciones scott un canal de TH-cam genial para norte américa yo hago algo parecido en suramerica 💪👷🇨🇦🤝🇨🇴
Best thing about pumping is running the giants. Ever since I was a little kid, big equipment has always tickled my fancy. Worst thing, by far, is the swinging schedule. Sometimes I'm up at 10pm, for a cool 20 hour day, on the clock. Sometimes I'm not into the yard until 6am. Makes it hard in the beginning. Best piece of advice... Understand that the first 3-5 years is going to be the worst part of your career. There is so much exposure to things you didn't know existed, and things you would never have thought was possible. It takes time. Ask lots of questions. Find yourself a good journeyman, and make good pals with him. It's not the problems you have or experience that matter, it's how you conduct yourself. A good old timer is an extremely valuable resource...
So true. I find a good bit of that comes down to the machine as well. I remember when we were the first in our market to get a little 24Z boom. We could pull off setups with that pump which no one had ever seen before. Guys were like “wow!!!, how’d you do that???” and in my head I’m thinking, no man, this pump just makes us operators good 😂😂😂
ian already at 6 years... i remember when he was just a noobie.. im surprised no one said waiting around for 2 hours all set up, waiting on the 2nd/3rd round mud that never wants to come, as being the worst thing about pumping.. really drags out a line pump day.
I look back to some of my early days and am actually quite surprised that the old-school Italian/Portuguese placing crews were as patient with me as they were.
Hello, I want to know if your company also employs people from Europe? I have 2 years of experience working with a concrete pump (1 year Schwing and 1 year Putzmeister) thank you for your answer
We typically do not. What we have found over the years it that our highest long-term success rate has come through training individuals from the ground up in exactly our systems and ways of doing things. Pumping varies so much from one market to the next, it makes it really tough for companies to commit the time/funds/effort into bringing operators over from another market, which very likely does things quite differently from ours.
If you’ve got the drive, the trades world is your oyster. Everyone short-handed these days and seemingly not nearly enough people to fill these positions. For someone whom is driven and has a good head on their shoulders, there is a very good living to be made in the concrete pumping trade.
Good thing about pumping is that you make good money the bad thing is the hours you leave in the dark and get home in the dark 16 hour days sometimes 19 hours when leaving early mornings ur family is asleep get home there asleep those the bad things that’s what people need to know about a pumpers life
Absolutely. It’s no problemo when we’re 20-something and typically don’t have much in terms of responsibility outside of work. Definitely nice to try and tone it back a bit later in life (most often easier said than done). 50-55 hours pumping with the occasional Saturday special seems to be what most of our guys are happy with.
The Concrete might be the worst part of the job. Best parts are the days go quick, it’s good money and you get to socialize with people and get to know a lot of people in the industry.
One of the big reasons why I enjoy my residential work. Usually have time to bullshit/catch up with each of the ready mix drivers at some during the day. Definitely helps make the day go by quickly.
My favorite thing is the sound the pipe makes when it strokes and that pipe just goes crack crack crack crack!!! Worse thing is a call back when you have to wash out and set back up on
Or when you’ve just finished sucking back the sponge and the tag load which they were going to pour with the crane rolls around the corner unexpectedly sooner than anticipated and they decide they’ll now just pump it 😂😂😂
I pump concrete down under and yeah it’s the money and variety of work we float in slay the grey then on to the next victim. The hours are what separates those who will stay at and those who will buckle. Best part of my job is driving my 38-5Rz putz knowing it’s worth as much as my house. I work for the best in Melbourne Victoria Rapidctete concrete pumping. Long days turn into big weeks and big weeks turn into big months but being union we go hard then for example this weekend we get four days off so got make paper. Send it !!
@@canadianconcretepumper1979 I’m in Sask, our winter pours are a lot more work that’s for sure! And our concrete is usually 25-30mm max limestone. 80mm slump and it’s a party!
I love pumping the hours are the best and having the solution to problems feels good when you run into little problems like set ups and how its ran. Line pump for the win boys linepump leprechaun out 🤣🤣🤣
Absolutely not. That being said, the learning curve in concrete pumping is steep, and can be very physically taxing. Anyone of most any age can do it, but full disclaimer: the first year or two will be boot-camp. The common misconception is that operating a concrete pump entails just standing around running the remote box. The reality can be a cruel awakening for many. Those whom make it, most often end up loving it…. or at least I did/do.
I used to love the change of scenery, you get to go to a different job site every day, meet different people. Etc. The money was fantastic when I operated pumps in the late 1980s. What I liked least was the potential for extremely bad things happening whether it would be hitting powerlines, unsecure footing, somebody kinking the hose and having a blowout and hurting somebody.
Notoriously you always have somebody standing at the end of the boom guiding you into a dangerous area (wires) that they think is safe that is not. I did love starting early in the morning and sometimes being done by noon. And then, like almost everybody said you would have days that were so long, It would literally run into the next day. Once you start, you just can’t stop. I remember one day pumping concrete underwater, pouring bridge pilings and it was going slow as hell with the divers, the day got longer went into the night, went through the next day.
Troubleshooting is always a great adventure, being able to see a problem before it happens it is quite an advantage.
Technology has changed so much since I ran a pump last. But my God to make it through the 500 yard pour without something breaking was very slim.
Keep up the great videos
Love this comment! Pinning this one for sure 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
A point of clarity, alot of the guys kept saying hours but I wanna be clear. Its not the fact that its 10-16 hour days, its the fact that you’re likely up from about 4AM and thats when those hours start. Huge adjustment from any other job, was certainly the biggest adjustment for me. Had to be super strict to friends and family about me being home and in bed by 9pm the latest.
Super informative video as always Scott!
Agreed. We’re fortunate here on the Vancouver area that voice bylaw for residential work is usually 7:00-7:30 AM. It provides at least some level of sanity to the hours and helps to off-set those 4:30AM start times for many of the large commercial jobs:
It can also mean getting up at 2 or 3 some days and not finishing till after midnight others.
@@dannpriebe well I actually am a part owner in a concrete pumping business outside the us/ca and I run dispatch as well. Every morning is standard getting up at 4am and if theres an early morning pour then 2/3 like you say. It can be tough, but is rewarding when you combine it with all the other stuff (good training, safety first, continuous maintenance and a happy staff)
Getting some experience as a mixer driver before getting into pumping definitely helps. You learn about different fucked up mixes like 24 hour high early, calcium loads, etc etc.
Absolutely. Operating a boom is about the worst place to “learn concrete”, placing finishing, driving mixer, running a line-pump are all much more forgiving in terms of the respective learning curves.
I started pumping back in jamaica with my father-in-law who aquired a Putz lone pump, then moved up to a small 3 stage Schwing, drove mixers both drum and volumetric....moved to canada and got back into the field. I must say i love it, meeting people and the challenges makes the day go by faster, i cant say there is anything that i hate about it.
@sarniaconcrete its like family.
Love the way you do things at CJ, keep up the good work and hope to meet you in person someday soon.
Respect man!!!
A appreciate the kinds words. I’m same way in that the daily challenges as well as the camaraderie between builders, mixer drivers, and placer/finishers is what makes the days enjoyable for me.
If you ever get a chance to. He lout WOC in Vegas I’m down there most every year. It’s always nice chatting with people and learning how things are done in markets outside of our own.
@@canadianconcretepumper1979 it would definitely be nice to link up at WOC. Been there twice in the past, great show, lots to take in..
Keep the content coming.
As a concrete pump business owner there was one statement that was mentioned in the video - BE PROACTIVE NOT REACTIVE and its critical when dealing with machines as downtime cost money and increases stress to everyone involved. Take the time to get to know the machines and there capabilities with various concrete mixes. Come up with various worst case scenarios if something goes wrong, what will i do. For example a pipe burst, can it be replaced with another hose on site?, can it be patched in order to finish job or clean out the pump. Also come up with ways to clean out as sites are becoming more restricted, water-air-or a yard washout. Overall allow yourself time to gain experience and never stop learning.
Love this comment! Yes, my “regular pump” (back when actually I had one) I like to think I had my bases covered for most any situation. Washout bags, 6” ZX blowout cap, extra fan-belt and tensioner, etc… . Being even just a little bit proactive can make this career so much less stressful.
Ive enjoyed these two videos Ive stumbled on. Good work. Thank you.
@@slydale Appreciate you watching and commenting.
After 32 years on a concrete pump, 16 on my own and 16 employed by a medium sized pumping company, now retired in central Ontario, there’s been many, many ups and downs. After years on a ready mix truck I decided to go out and lease a pump ! No training except I was shown how to set it up in a parking lot. My first job was under hydro wires in the rain and it got progressively better from there. I’ve trained quite a few people over the years and my personal, favourite piece of advice to new operators is…never think you’re any better or more important than anyone else on site. Not the mixer drivers, not the finishers, not the superintendent.
Over all these years I’ve seen too many prima donna pump operators who think they’re more important than others.
@@ronchristie898 This is SOOOOOO true indeed!!!! No shortage of egos/attitude in this trade.
Yep, nothing like a bunch of operators standing around who has the biggest boom !
That should read arguing who has the biggest boom.
The experience is something incredible in the pumping of concrete I want to comment on this video my friend Scott a person of maximum knowledge that this channel has the videos that he uploads I watch them all with a TH-cam translator in the pumping of concrete sometimes there are obstacles which We are so professional that there is no way out but we managed to deliver the concrete to the client in a satisfied manner and with respect to the concrete canada people they are operators with great knowledge and practice in the field which they teach operators of the concrete pumping guild in the world I am 11 years old In my profession as an operator and instructor in pumping, I have learned many things, thanks Scott, your channel is excellent, I teach for South America, blessings to all operators, a piece of advice, let's love our profession of concrete pumping every day, I say it because I am a crazy amateur, this is not blessings for many pumping concrete family
Pozdrav jsam vec 30 g u betonu imam svoju pumpu
Just want to say thank you for these videos! Just discovered u about a week ago from muddyfeet and these vids are awesome! Been driving a mixer for 3 years n will b starting my pumping career soon :)
Thank you brother. Muddy Feet is the channel which inspired me to start doing this. Hoping to get together with Jeff sometime in the future and shoot some vids.
@@canadianconcretepumper1979hey what advice would u give to someone starting off as a solo owner operator! Of a pump boom truck with no experience in concrete pumping?
@@RODRIGUEZMAKAVELI The best advice I would have given is to spend a couple of years working for a pump company and learning the trade. The curve can be steep, and expensive when diving in both feet first.
The best advice I can give:
-know the dunnage calculations for your outriggers and always estimate ground conditions to be twice as bad as they may appear.
-don’t mess around with short-rigging or power lines when your new (ideally not ever).
-always use primer (both boom and line pumps)
-always suck 2 sponges (boom)
-carry a bag of brown or golden sugar in the pump at all times.
-always recirculate while waiting on concrete. If unable to recirculate, at least suck back a sponge and/or washout.
Most importantly: watch every single one of my videos (I’m kidding, but given the circumstances, I think there’s a few which could be of some help to someone first starting out in the industry).
WOW amazing channel just found it. Binge watching now
I started my own channel after discovering Muddy Feet’s channel a few years ago and promptly binge-watching most every single video of his in just a matter of a couple of weeks time.
Glad your are enjoying it. Appreciate you following and commenting 🙏
I've been around concrete pump's since I was a kid over 30 year's now here in Ireland and I've run them all from line pumps to 63m Putzmeister but now I just run the small pumps and line pump because i don't want to be on the big pumps and Job's anymore I like doing the small Job's like somebody putting a small addition onto a House here in Dublin and its one truck of concrete. Do 2 or 3 jobs like that a day and get home early
As you said, the older I get, the more and more I like the little jobs. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I started about year and a half ago and started on a Putzmeister 38-5 and currently run one of those
Let me tell you, that 38-5 is in my opinion the most operator friendly concrete pump which I have ever run. I ran most every Putz size/model leading up to the 38-5, and they got most everything on that pump just right. Cherish it daily 😁
I pump in Smithers bc and the views are the best & the people. The worst part is when I can’t get to do a inspection I can drive 2-3 hours to get to the job I like the vid 👍
We're fortune down here in that most of our sites are within 30-45 minutes of our yard. As such we scout out the vast majority of our work ahead of time. Definitely reduces potential stress for all parties involved.
I will say however, rolling into sites blind makes an operator out of ya real quick!
Thanks for watching the channel brother.
Great video Scott. Love hearing the back story of some of the crew and the ins and outs of the trade. Ever consider making a little video explaining the company history and maybe showing some of the more interesting jobs and problems you’ve run into over the 22 years you’ve been pumping? Cheers from Ontario.
I certainly have. I almost thought it might be fun to get 3-4 operators together and do a little podcast style discussion where we could trade old war stories.
Watched a lot of your video's hope toe have the oner of maybe working for you some day been in the trade for 6 years now really want to get my pump ticket soon as. Keep on making video's
@@jasonkingsley7612 I LOVE to hear this. Our industry is desperately short of eager new talent, and in need some fresh blood to eventually take the reins from us old guys whom are aging out. Never been a better/more opportune time to pursue a career in concrete pumping, IMO.
gola my brother Scott juy the city pump oh my favorite is beautiful the 2110 is a beauty to see it what a beauty that they take good care of it greetings to the colleague God bless Canada one day be there to pump concrete blessings scott excellent video
Got a video of that CP2110 coming up in the near future 😁😁😁
The hardest part about the job is the not knowing of when your gonna be finished, you could be on for a winner and early finish then next minute plant breaks down and your waiting 3 hours keeping the concrete alive. The money's good though and when the job is going good it's great but it can soon go south
@@danieln2707 it’s so true. Took me a few years to get used to that aspect of the job for sure.
Pros-
Good Money
Cons-
Long hours
Dirty job
High Maintenace of pumps
High risk with booms
Dealing with concreters
Random hours
Early starts
Chasing money from contractors
Big learning curve
Waiting for concrete on job sites.
Shhhhhhhhhh….. (don’t scare all the youngsters away) 😂😂😂
im 22 just started 3 weeks ago, its a lot to take in. im grateful for the hard working jobs i previously worked to allow me to really take in how nice this line of work really is. i have not been this excited about a job in years, i want it to work out so bad. i noticed its more mentally exhausting than physically at times. ive been watching many videos like this one and even joined a few groups. i appreciate this video as im just starting out. greetings from upstate new york 🤝
I liked what Dan had to say. Enjoy life! Don’t sweat the small stuff. The job can be hard enough sometimes for you to get excited over the small stuff.
Going on my 11th year I’ll pitch in and say that pumping concrete can be hard physical work. The long hours can wear and burn a guy out sometimes.
I enjoy the fact that most jobs you go to will be different and you might have to problem solve on the spot. I like the feeling of accomplishment when the job is finished, specially if things go wrong and you manage to get through the job one way or another. Again, problem solving and troubleshooting. Last one is working with a crew that know what they are doing makes ALL the difference in how enjoyable your job for the day is going to be.
So well said Rick. I agree with everything you said. Dan is one of the coolest heads in the pumping game. If I had a son, I’d want Dan to train him as a pump operator.
The best piece of advice I could give is don’t be frustrated with how long it takes to get smooth. I was really frustrated for having ran a lot of equipment and picking up on it quickly. It took me 1.5 yrs to finally think I was doing a good job. Also your not around another pump guy to check yourself against. I was trained and started out on a 47m. Now I run a 38 and a 47 and understand why a few people have told me you need to learn on the smaller booms first.
Fully agreed. The basic principle are very similar, however on a large boom whatever mistakes made are amplified greatly versus the smaller pumps.
Id be interested to see the list of your top ten operators in the lower mainland
Your paps is definitely right up there. Career goals young man 😁😁
Para mí lo más feo o canson es cuando el hormigón llega sabiendo uno que no es bombeable pero hay veces que no lo recibo pero en mi país Colombia hay mucho ingeniero mediocre que por q es una bomba de concreto tiene q bombearlo osi no tu eres el q no quieres trabajar así son lo más hermoso es bombeo en altura me encanta en esta profesión hay momentos geniales como momentos que dan ganas de acabar con todo jajaja pero es hermoso amo mi profesión ya con 11 años en esta hermosa profesión como operador profesional es hermoso mi consejo es decirle alos operadores que amemos lo que hacemos y cuidar nuestras unidades ya que sonas de nosotros que de los dueños y algo muy importante es ejecutar la seguridad en obra ciempre ala defensiva en cualquier punto bendiciones scott un canal de TH-cam genial para norte américa yo hago algo parecido en suramerica 💪👷🇨🇦🤝🇨🇴
Best thing about pumping is running the giants. Ever since I was a little kid, big equipment has always tickled my fancy.
Worst thing, by far, is the swinging schedule. Sometimes I'm up at 10pm, for a cool 20 hour day, on the clock. Sometimes I'm not into the yard until 6am. Makes it hard in the beginning.
Best piece of advice...
Understand that the first 3-5 years is going to be the worst part of your career. There is so much exposure to things you didn't know existed, and things you would never have thought was possible. It takes time. Ask lots of questions. Find yourself a good journeyman, and make good pals with him.
It's not the problems you have or experience that matter, it's how you conduct yourself. A good old timer is an extremely valuable resource...
Love this comment Greg. Couldn’t agree with you more. Very well said 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Very good advice 👌
Making the toughest stressful jobs look easy 😊
Oh and being the youngest and most important person on the job LOL
So true. I find a good bit of that comes down to the machine as well. I remember when we were the first in our market to get a little 24Z boom. We could pull off setups with that pump which no one had ever seen before. Guys were like “wow!!!, how’d you do that???” and in my head I’m thinking, no man, this pump just makes us operators good 😂😂😂
@@canadianconcretepumper1979 haha for sure!! With the right machine it makes everything possible.
ian already at 6 years... i remember when he was just a noobie.. im surprised no one said waiting around for 2 hours all set up, waiting on the 2nd/3rd round mud that never wants to come, as being the worst thing about pumping.. really drags out a line pump day.
I look back to some of my early days and am actually quite surprised that the old-school Italian/Portuguese placing crews were as patient with me as they were.
Hello, I want to know if your company also employs people from Europe? I have 2 years of experience working with a concrete pump (1 year Schwing and 1 year Putzmeister) thank you for your answer
We typically do not. What we have found over the years it that our highest long-term success rate has come through training individuals from the ground up in exactly our systems and ways of doing things.
Pumping varies so much from one market to the next, it makes it really tough for companies to commit the time/funds/effort into bringing operators over from another market, which very likely does things quite differently from ours.
I started on a 32 putz I didn’t run a trailer pump until recently.. I’m too busy in the 58 they won’t put me in a line pump😥
I’ve found the best way to get time in on a trailer pump is to royally piss-off the boss 😂😂😂
@@canadianconcretepumper1979 no, they’ll just give me a 10 am job😫
I would love to have that kind of job I'm young and I'm hungry
If you’ve got the drive, the trades world is your oyster. Everyone short-handed these days and seemingly not nearly enough people to fill these positions. For someone whom is driven and has a good head on their shoulders, there is a very good living to be made in the concrete pumping trade.
Good thing about pumping is that you make good money the bad thing is the hours you leave in the dark and get home in the dark 16 hour days sometimes 19 hours when leaving early mornings ur family is asleep get home there asleep those the bad things that’s what people need to know about a pumpers life
Absolutely. It’s no problemo when we’re 20-something and typically don’t have much in terms of responsibility outside of work. Definitely nice to try and tone it back a bit later in life (most often easier said than done). 50-55 hours pumping with the occasional Saturday special seems to be what most of our guys are happy with.
The Concrete might be the worst part of the job. Best parts are the days go quick, it’s good money and you get to socialize with people and get to know a lot of people in the industry.
One of the big reasons why I enjoy my residential work. Usually have time to bullshit/catch up with each of the ready mix drivers at some during the day. Definitely helps make the day go by quickly.
My favorite thing is the sound the pipe makes when it strokes and that pipe just goes crack crack crack crack!!! Worse thing is a call back when you have to wash out and set back up on
Or when you’ve just finished sucking back the sponge and the tag load which they were going to pour with the crane rolls around the corner unexpectedly sooner than anticipated and they decide they’ll now just pump it 😂😂😂
For real
I forgot to add , find the calm in the chaos
Me gustan esos radios de comunicación bson primordiales en la operación de bombeo🎉
Absolutely. Especially on long line pours and when blowing out with compressed air.
I pump concrete down under and yeah it’s the money and variety of work we float in slay the grey then on to the next victim.
The hours are what separates those who will stay at and those who will buckle.
Best part of my job is driving my 38-5Rz putz knowing it’s worth as much as my house.
I work for the best in Melbourne Victoria Rapidctete concrete pumping.
Long days turn into big weeks and big weeks turn into big months but being union we go hard then for example this weekend we get four days off so got make paper.
Send it !!
True, cant plan for life, man. Concrete cowboys we are.
Trail/truck-mounted concrete pumps available
The best part of pumping?
Folgers in your cup!
Getting paid salary is the worst part of pumping
NO!, SLEEP, ‘TIL WINTER!!!!
For whatever reason we often end up busier in the winter than we do the middle of summer… which totally sucks! 😂
@@canadianconcretepumper1979 I’m in Sask, our winter pours are a lot more work that’s for sure! And our concrete is usually 25-30mm max limestone. 80mm slump and it’s a party!
I love pumping the hours are the best and having the solution to problems feels good when you run into little problems like set ups and how its ran. Line pump for the win boys linepump leprechaun out 🤣🤣🤣
Love this!!!! Line-pumping is my favourite as well (shhhhhhhh…. don’t let the good secret get out) 😂😂😂
Is 30 too old for this?
So only 20 year old's should enter this business?
Absolutely not. That being said, the learning curve in concrete pumping is steep, and can be very physically taxing. Anyone of most any age can do it, but full disclaimer: the first year or two will be boot-camp. The common misconception is that operating a concrete pump entails just standing around running the remote box. The reality can be a cruel awakening for many. Those whom make it, most often end up loving it…. or at least I did/do.
Easy money
Many days it doesn’t even feel like work…. except for when shit goes sideways…. then it does 😂