Concrete Conveyors - Efficient and Effective Use By Bruce Orr At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Concrete conveyors have greatly increased efficiency on the job site. They have made it possible for construction crews to reach pouring sites well beyond the reach of a ready-mix truck’s chute, replacing buggying which can be inefficient for moving large volumes of concrete.

According to The Contractor’s Guide to Concrete Construction, buggying is still the preferred method in certain cases, where volumes are small and the distance between the ready-mix truck and pouring site is short. Buggying is labor-intensive, and, for that reason, may not always be the best option for longer distances.

Conveyors offer the flexibility required in jobs where distance and reach are a concern. They can be adjusted to different heights and reaches, and swing in a full radius around the truck. They are also the best option when there is limited or obstructed access to the pouring site.

Best Practices for Using Concrete Conveyors

In 1992, The Aberdeen Group published a short article describing how to use concrete conveyors effectively. It describes how to calculate the theoretical capacity of a concrete conveyor, and how to maximize performance.

You can calculate theoretical capacity by multiplying the belt speed by the cross-sectional area of the concrete ribbon. There are many variables at play here:

•The optimum belt speed depends on the equipment itself, the amount of concrete production required and concrete slump.

•The cross-sectional area is affected by the consistency of the concrete. Low-slump concrete can be piled higher, while high-slump concrete tends to flatten.

•The incline of the concrete conveyor also plays a role in the size of the cross section. Concrete thins out when the belt is inclined, making the cross section smaller. The end result: lower placement rates at higher angles.

The bottom line: when placement capacity is important, you should operate your concrete conveyor at the lowest possible incline. Depending on the size of the belt, your conveyor could place anywhere from 50 to 350 cubic yards of concrete per hour.

Slump is another factor in the efficiency of concrete placement. As the Aberdeen article states, lower slump concrete requires slower belts, while higher slump requires faster speeds. If the conveyor is placed at a steep angle, however, high-slump mixes may roll back, which can lower the placement rate.

Theoretical vs. Actual Capacity of Concrete Conveyors

A conveyor can never exceed its theoretical capacity and, according to Aberdeen, most reach about 70% to 80% of their theoretical capacity in real-world situations. To avoid downtime, which can slow capacities even more, the article advises you to plan truck movement carefully. Ensure that one truck can be backing in and getting ready to discharge while the other is still working. Otherwise, you will lose time. Even a 3-minute delay can decrease placement capacity by up to 30 cubic yards per hour.

Concrete Conveyors Made Even More Efficient

While concrete conveyors have made the job of pouring concrete faster, greater efficiencies can be realized by optimizing conditions so that placement capacities can be increased.

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