There are two main types of concrete pump: the boom pump, which places concrete through an arm mounted on a lorry, and the line pump, which pushes concrete through pipes or hoses laid along the ground. Most other names you will hear, such as lorry-mounted, truck-mounted, trailer or stationary pump, describe how the machine is carried or where it is used. This guide explains each type in plain terms, shows how the technology works, and helps you decide which suits your pour.
- Boom pumps place concrete from a lorry-mounted, remote-controlled arm. They suit slabs, upper floors and sites where the lorry can set up close to the pour.
- Line pumps run concrete through hoses or pipes from a trailer-mounted or stationary unit. They suit long runs, tight spaces and jobs where a boom is not needed.
- “Lorry-mounted” and “truck-mounted” mean the same thing: a pump built onto a self-propelled lorry chassis. “Trailer-mounted” and “static” describe a towed pump.
- Access, distance, height and the concrete mix decide the right pump, along with safe set-up on the ground.
- We supply boom pumps, line pumps and restricted-access pumping across Leinster, so you can talk through your site with us before you book.
The two main types of concrete pump
Ask a builder to name concrete pump types and you will usually hear two: boom pumps and line pumps. The split is simple. A boom pump has an articulating arm that carries the delivery pipe to the spot where the concrete is needed. A line pump has no arm. It sits at ground level and sends the concrete along a pipeline of steel or flexible hose that is laid out by the crew.
Boom pump
Reaches over walls, buildings and excavations. Nothing laid on the ground, so the pour starts fast.
- Slabs
- Upper floors
- Large volumes
Line pump
Threads a hose down passages, through houses and into basements, seen here from above.
- Back gardens
- Long runs
- Tight access
From there, the terms multiply because the same two ideas come in different packages. Ireland’s Health and Safety Authority separates truck-mounted concrete pumps from trailer-mounted ones: the first is mounted on a self-propelled lorry, the second on a trailer that can be towed, also known as a static pump. A truck-mounted pump may work through a pipeline alone or through a pipeline attached to a concrete placing boom.
So when you read about “types”, think in two layers:
- How the concrete is delivered to the pour: by a boom or by a line.
- How the machine gets to site: on a lorry, on a trailer, or as a truck mixer with a pump built in.
| Type | Carried on | Delivers concrete by | Typical fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boom pump | Lorry (truck-mounted) | Remote-controlled articulating arm | Slabs, floors, foundations, upper levels |
| Line pump | Trailer or static unit | Ground-laid pipes and hoses | Long runs, back gardens, basements, tight access |
| Truck mixer pump | Single mixer-and-pump lorry | Boom or line, depending on set-up | Limited space, complex logistics |
| Shotcrete and mortar pumps | Small units | Hose, often with compressed air for spraying | Sprayed concrete, mortar and low-output work |
Boom pumps (lorry-mounted and truck-mounted)
A boom pump is the machine most people picture on a site: a lorry with a folding arm that swings out over the work. The arm is controlled by remote, so the operator can place concrete exactly where it is needed without moving the lorry. CIFA, a major pump manufacturer, describes the truck pump as a unit on a truck chassis that combines the placing boom, pumping unit, front and rear outriggers and a control system.
Why builders choose a boom
Speed and placement are the main reasons. Once the lorry is stabilised, the boom unfolds and the pour can begin, with no pipework to lay first. That saves labour, because there are no wheelbarrows or dumpers to run, and it keeps the pour continuous, which helps the finish on a large slab.
A boom also reaches over things. Garden walls, parked vehicles, existing buildings and open excavations can all sit between the lorry and the pour. To give a sense of scale, the manufacturer data for one mid-size truck-mounted model, the Putzmeister BSF 33-4.16 H, lists a vertical reach of 32.1 m and a net horizontal reach of 25.1 m. Machines differ widely, so the exact reach for your job depends on the pump sent.
Where a boom pump fits best
- Ground-floor slabs and house foundations where the lorry can park near the plot
- Suspended floors and upper-level pours on multi-storey builds
- Commercial and civil work needing high volumes in a short window
- Agricultural slabs and yard floors where a large area must be poured in one go
Our concrete boom pump service covers this kind of work for residential, commercial, agricultural and civil projects.
Set-up and safety
A boom lorry needs firm, level ground for its outriggers and enough clear space overhead. The HSA states that safe operation depends on selecting and maintaining the pump and boom, planning and supervising its use, and the competence of the operator. In practice, that means telling your pumping supplier about overhead lines, soft ground, slopes and nearby excavations before the day.
Line pumps (trailer-mounted and stationary)
A line pump is the quieter workhorse. The pump unit stays on the ground, usually on a trailer, and concrete travels along a pipeline to the pour. CIFA says trailer-mounted pumps, also described as stationary pumps, are used when the pour needs long horizontal or vertical distances and a boom is not necessary, including infrastructure sites and tunnels.
Why builders choose a line pump
The pipeline goes where a boom cannot. It can be run along a side passage, through a house, down into a basement or across a back garden, and it can be extended or shortened as the pour moves. For many Irish domestic jobs, such as extensions, rear-of-terrace houses, garages and infill sites, the lorry cannot get near the pour but the concrete still has to arrive by pump.
A line pump also suits smaller pours. When the volume is modest, the set-up is lighter and the concrete can be placed with less disruption to neighbours and the garden.
Where a line pump fits best
- Rear extensions and garden pours reached through narrow side access
- Basement and below-ground slabs
- Long runs from a roadside delivery point to a pour far from the road
- Jobs where the boom is not necessary and a pipeline does the job
See how our concrete line pumping service works for projects like these.
Working with a line
The crew places and moves the hose, so a line pump relies on good communication between the pump operator, the person holding the hose and the driver of the delivery lorry. Pipework carries concrete under pressure, and the HSA’s guidance specifically aims to reduce injuries from pressurisation of pipework or other equipment. Use trained operators and well-maintained couplings, and keep people clear of the line while it is working.
Boom pump or line pump: how to decide
Start with where the concrete lorry can park, then look at where the concrete has to end up. Four questions settle most cases.
- Can a lorry set up near the pour? If yes, with firm ground and clear air space, a boom is usually the fastest route. If no, a line pump is the natural answer.
- How far and how high is the pour? Short, open and ground-level pours suit either type. Long runs favour a line. High or over-obstacle pours favour a boom.
- How big is the pour? Large slabs and floors benefit from a boom’s speed. Smaller jobs often fit a line.
- What is in the way? Walls, buildings and tight turns can be crossed by a boom or threaded through by a line.
Some jobs use both. A boom may handle the main slab while a line reaches a rear section the lorry cannot overhang. If you are unsure, describe the site to your pumping supplier and ask what they would send. Photographs of the access point help a great deal.
Other types you will come across
Truck mixer pumps
A truck mixer pump combines a mixer lorry and a pump in one machine. CIFA says it is suited to limited space, complex logistics and situations needing more operational autonomy. You will mostly hear about it in discussions of equipment rather than on typical domestic jobs.
Shotcrete and mortar pumps
Shotcrete pumps add compressed air so concrete can be sprayed onto a surface, which is common in tunnelling, slope work and repairs. Smaller mortar and low-output pumps also exist. Putzmeister’s brochure describes a shotcrete and mortar unit designed to fill a gap between small-line ball valve pumps and larger concrete pumps, with a maximum concrete pressure of 85 bar. These are specialist machines, and your supplier will advise if your project needs one.
How concrete pump technology works
Different bodies, same engine. Most truck and trailer pumps use two cylinders working in turn. CIFA explains that one piston draws in the concrete while the other pushes it into the delivery line, and an S-valve coordinates the flow so the pumping stays continuous at constant pressure. The HSA notes that pumps work by pistons or a rotary pump.
That steady push is what sends the concrete along the pipeline or up the boom. Three practical points follow from it:
- Pressure and distanceThe more pressure a pump can deliver, the further and higher it can send concrete. The manufacturer data sheet for the model mentioned above lists delivery pressures including 85 bar, and up to 130 bar depending on the mode.
- The mix mattersConcrete has to flow through the line without blocking. Workability, aggregate size and the mix design all affect how well it pumps, so tell your supplier the job is being pumped when you order.
- Standards and designThe design of concrete pumps is subject to the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and the European Communities (Machinery) Regulations 2008, and the Irish Standard I.S. EN 12001 deals specifically with concrete pumps.
What to tell your pumping supplier before you book
A short, clear brief makes the day run smoothly. Have these details ready:
Your pre-booking checklist
If the access is narrow, our restricted access pumping is built for those awkward sites. For smaller pours where a full-size lorry is more than you need, our mini mix concrete is worth discussing, and our ready mix concrete supply covers larger volumes. Mortar users can ask about trowel ready mortar.
Our perspective
After more than 30 years in this trade, we have learned that the right pump is rarely decided by the machine. It is decided by the site. A lorry-mounted boom pump is a wonderful thing on an open plot, and a line pump is the answer when the street is tight and the garden is behind the house. We work with both because the job should drive the choice, not the other way round.
We tailor each job. Before a pour, we want to know the access, the ground, the volume and the mix, because those details decide whether the day runs smoothly. Our aim is simple: consistent, on-time delivery, with modern equipment suited to hard-to-reach placements, so that your build stays on programme and on budget.
If you are a builder, a contractor or a homeowner with a project in Leinster, call us early. A short conversation about your site usually tells us what to send, and it is the surest way to deliver a solid foundation for the work that follows.
Talk to us about your pour
We supply concrete and pump it across Leinster, for residential, commercial, agricultural and civil projects. Whether you need a boom for a large slab or a line for a hard-to-reach garden, our concrete pumping services are arranged around your site, with personal service from a team that has been doing this for over 30 years.
Tell us the address, the volume and the access, and we will advise on the pump that suits. You can start from our home page or look at our company first.
FAQ
What are the different types of concrete pumps?
The two main types are boom pumps and line pumps. A boom pump places concrete through a remote-controlled arm on a lorry, while a line pump pushes it through ground-laid pipes or hoses. Variations include truck-mounted, trailer-mounted (static), truck mixer pumps and specialist shotcrete or mortar pumps.
Is a lorry-mounted concrete pump the same as a truck-mounted pump?
Yes. Lorry-mounted is the common term in Ireland and the UK, and truck-mounted is the same machine under its more international name. The HSA defines it as a concrete pump mounted on a self-propelled lorry, working through a pipeline alone or with a placing boom.
Which pump is best for a house extension or back garden?
It depends on access. If the lorry can park close with firm ground and clear air space, a boom is quick. If the pour is behind the house or down a narrow passage, a line pump is usually the better fit. Send your supplier photographs and they can advise.
Do I need to do anything special with the concrete mix for pumping?
Yes, tell your supplier at the time of ordering that the concrete will be pumped. The mix must flow through the line without blocking, so workability and aggregate size matter. Your supplier can match the mix to the pump and the pour.
Are there safety rules for concrete pumping in Ireland?
Yes. The HSA publishes guidance on safety in concrete pumping, to be read with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Construction Regulations 2013. It covers pump selection, planning, supervision and operator competence. Use experienced operators and brief everyone on site before the pour.
