Booking a concrete pump for the first time can feel a bit like walking into a conversation you were never invited to. Operators and suppliers throw around words like “slump,” “pig” and “primer” as if everyone knows what they mean. And honestly, unless you have worked on a few pours before, most of it sounds like a foreign language.
This glossary from Easypump Concrete Ltd breaks down the most common concrete pumping terms into plain, everyday English. Whether you are booking a pump hire for a small driveway in Hertfordshire or a large commercial pour in London, knowing these words will help you feel confident and prepared on pour day.
Equipment and Pump Types
Understanding the different types of pumps and equipment is the first step to figuring out what your project actually needs. Here is a breakdown of the key terms you will come across.
- Boom Pump: A large truck-mounted pump with a long articulated arm (called a boom) that can reach over obstacles and place concrete at height or distance. Ideal for big commercial jobs or sites where access from the ground is not possible.
- Line Pump (Ground Line Pump): A smaller, more compact pump that pushes concrete through steel pipes and hoses laid along the ground. This is the go-to option for domestic pours like driveways, extensions and footings, especially in tight access situations.
- Static Pump: A pump that stays in one fixed position on site. It does not have wheels or a boom and is typically used for long-distance pumping through a pipeline.
- Trailer Pump: A pump unit mounted on a towable trailer. It is portable and easy to position, making it a popular choice for residential and smaller commercial projects.
- Spider Boom: A compact boom pump with leg-style outriggers that can set up in very tight or uneven spaces. Think narrow driveways, rear gardens and sites with limited access. This is a term you will hear a lot when working with companies like Easypump that specialise in tight access concrete pumping.
- Screed Pump: A pump designed specifically for pumping floor screed rather than standard concrete. Used in flooring projects, especially those with underfloor heating systems.
- Grout Pump: A smaller pump built for pumping grout, which is a thinner, more fluid cement mix used for filling gaps, joints and cavities.
Parts of a Concrete Pump
Every pump has several key components. When your operator mentions any of these on site, here is what they are referring to.
Hopper is the large funnel-shaped container at the back of the pump where the ready-mix concrete is loaded in from the delivery truck. The hopper feeds the concrete into the pumping mechanism.
Boom refers to the long folding arm on a boom pump. It extends and articulates to place concrete exactly where it needs to go, even over walls, fences or buildings.
Outriggers are the extendable legs that come out from the sides of a boom pump truck. They stabilise the vehicle while the boom is in operation, preventing it from tipping.
- Outrigger Pads: Flat plates placed under the outriggers to spread the weight and protect the ground surface beneath.
- Pipeline: The series of connected steel pipes that carry concrete from the pump to the pour location. On a ground line job, this can stretch a significant distance across a site.
- Placing Hose (End Hose): A flexible rubber hose attached to the end of the pipeline or boom. The operator uses this to direct the concrete into the exact spot.
- Safety Grille: A metal grid fitted over the hopper to stop large debris, lumps or foreign objects from entering the pump and causing a blockage.
- Reducer: A tapered pipe fitting that connects a larger diameter pipe to a smaller one. This is common when transitioning from the main line to a placing hose.
Concrete Mix and Material Terms
The type of concrete you order matters just as much as the pump you hire. Here are the terms that describe what is actually going into your pour.
Ready-Mix Concrete is pre-mixed concrete delivered to your site in a rotating drum truck. It arrives ready to pump, which saves time and ensures a consistent mix. Most jobs booked through Easypump use ready-mix.
Pump Mix refers to a concrete mix specifically designed to flow well through a pump. Not all concrete is pumpable, so getting the right mix is essential to avoid blockages and delays.
Slump is a measurement of how wet or fluid a concrete mix is. A higher slump means a wetter, more workable mix. Your pump operator and concrete supplier will agree on the right slump for your job.
- Aggregate: The stones, gravel or crushed rock mixed into concrete. Aggregate size affects how easily the mix flows through the pump.
- Fibres (Polypropylene or Steel): Thin strands added to concrete for extra strength and crack resistance. Polypropylene fibres are common in domestic pours, while steel fibres are used in heavy-duty commercial slabs.
- Grout: A fluid cement-based mix without large aggregate. It is used for filling voids, grouting up around steel and sealing joints.
- Lightweight Concrete: A mix made with lighter aggregate (like Lytag) for situations where reducing structural weight is important.
- Cubic Metre (m³): The standard unit for ordering concrete. When your supplier asks how much you need, they mean cubic metres.
On-Site Operations and Safety
Pour day has its own set of terms too. Knowing these will help you understand what is happening and why.
Banksman is a trained person on site who guides the pump truck driver during positioning, especially when reversing or manoeuvring in tight spaces. Safety is the top priority here.
Blockage happens when concrete gets stuck inside the pipeline or pump. It is usually caused by a mix that is too dry, has oversized aggregate, or has been sitting too long. Easypump’s experienced operators know how to prevent and clear blockages quickly.
- Washout: The process of cleaning the pump, pipeline and hoses with water after the pour is finished. Proper washout prevents concrete from hardening inside the equipment.
- Pig (Sponge Ball): A foam ball pushed through the pipeline during washout to scrub out remaining concrete. It is a simple but effective cleaning tool.
- Primer: A cement slurry pumped through the line before the actual concrete. It coats the inside of the pipes so the concrete flows smoothly without sticking.
- CPCS Card: The industry-standard competence card for plant operators. A Blue CPCS card means the operator is fully competent, while a Red card means they are trained and working towards full competency.
- CITB: The Construction Industry Training Board, which oversees training standards and certifications for construction workers across the UK, including pump operators.
Booking and Service Terms
When you call Easypump to arrange a concrete pump hire, you might hear a few of these terms during the conversation.
Tight Access Pumping is a service for sites where a standard boom pump truck cannot fit. Narrow side gates, rear gardens, basement access points and congested city streets all fall into this category. Easypump specialises in tight access work across London, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Northampton.
Off-The-Back describes a setup where the boom pump pours concrete directly behind the truck without needing to extend the boom to its full reach. It is common on straightforward jobs where the pour area is right next to the truck.
- Short-Rig: Setting up the outriggers in a narrower configuration so the pump truck can fit into a tighter space. Not all pumps can do this, so it is worth mentioning your site access when booking.
- Ticket: The delivery note that comes with each load of ready-mix concrete. It shows the mix design, volume, slump and time of batching.
Why This Matters When You Hire a Pump
You do not need to memorise every term on this list. But having a basic understanding of the language helps you communicate clearly with your pump operator, your concrete supplier and your builder. It also means fewer surprises on pour day.
At Easypump Concrete Ltd, our trained operators are always happy to walk you through the process and answer questions on site. We provide fast, clean and accurate concrete placement for domestic and commercial projects across London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Northampton.
Need a concrete pump hire? Call us on 01582 550287 or 07894 989118, or drop us an email at admin@easypump.co.uk. We offer same-day and next-day service, and our price match guarantee means you are always getting a fair deal.