Ruttura & Sons expand their capabilities with Schwing’s versatile Telescopic S 31 HT Concrete Pump 2002
From Concretepumping
Ruttura & Sons, Farmington, NY, is one of the largest concrete and excavating contractors in the greater New York area. Four generations have operated the business since it’s beginning as a sidewalk and curb contractor in 1918. Over the years, the company has expanded to provide services in several areas of construction. Today, Ruttura & Sons is an equipment rental company, a one-source contractor for demolition, excavation, storm drainage, sanitary systems, water services, and all phases of cast-in-place concrete.
Ruttura provides rental equipment and concrete contracting through Our Rental Corp. The company ensures that their rental customers and concrete clients receive only the best in quality concrete construction equipment by supplying boom pumps and line pumps.
Early in 2002, Ruttura & Sons added to their capabilities with the S 31 HT truck-mounted concrete pump with telescopic placing boom. The S 31 HT is essentially two pumps in one, effective in low overhead situations and in conventional wide area pours. According to President Tom Ruttura, since the company purchased the S 31 HT, the boom has dominated their pumping schedule.
Recently, Ruttura & Sons used the 31 to complete an 8,000-yard indoor pour at the JFK Airport in New York as part of a $2.5 million baggage terminal. Pump set up posed a challenge to the contractor. "We were set up on top of a viaduct, up and away from the pour. The boom had to stretch up, over, and then inside to place. Using another pump, we would have needed 2,000 feet of slickline. But the 31’s boom tip went right in, articulating through the structure. It was the only way to go."
The pumper also faced the task of avoiding already completed electrical and piping work. "It would have been impossible to avoid all of that with any other boom, and we would have had a real mess on our hands," said Ruttura, "But the 31 telescoped right around all of it and we were able to finish the pour without disrupting the electrical conduit."
Equipped with a Generation III pump kit and the cost effective Schwing Rock Valve, the S 31 HT supplied Ruttura with high production days. "We pumped five to six hundred yards of lightweight concrete everyday for two to three weeks and stayed well within our timeline," said Ruttura.
Since then, several projects have posed similar challenges, and Ruttura says they’ve found job after job for their newest pump. "We find a new use for the 31 every day. It’s been on the job with us so much, we don’t even have time to promote it."
Ruttura was again impressed with the pump’s capabilities on a recent 2nd floor indoor pour. Pump set up was once again an issue. "The pump was set up on ground level. Along with reaching up and inside, we needed the ability to telescope in and out of the structure. I knew this pump could do it, and it did, without extra slickline."
With all of their contracting capabilities, Ruttura & Sons is particularly proud of their part in the concrete construction industry. Every member of the Ruttura clan is committed to improving industry standards and practices. As the former Board of Directors President of the American Society of Concrete Contractors, Tom Ruttura remains very involved in the organization as a member of the Strategic Planning, Safety and Liaison Committees. He has also presented a positive case for the use of concrete in municipal and commercial construction to the National Ready Mix Association and several New York and New Jersey-based industry organizations.
Tom’s daughter Nicole is also involved as a standing member of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMT). Ruttura & Sons’ dedication to high quality workmanship has earned the company several awards, including New York Construction News’ number one concrete contractor in New York City and Long Island.
According to President Tom Ruttura, the secret to success is providing the total package. "We want to be economical and efficient, but we also want our work to be top quality." The passion to achieve that balance encourages Ruttura to invest in only the latest technology and reliable equipment to do the job. "We love our Schwings," said Ruttura.
Commercial Forming Corp, Pompano Beach prepared the excavation with 800 tons of reinforcing steel. The rebar created a maze nine feet deep. J. Michael Hicks, president of the forming company was on-site during the pour. This dedication was mirrored by most of the suppliers who contributed to the project.
Tarmac marshaled approximately 150 ready-mix trucks supplied from five plants to keep up with the pumping volume. This Herculean effort went off well with a full truck arriving and an empty truck being washed out on-site every 45 seconds. Mobil wash stations were erected on the site so that truck mixer drivers never left their cabs.
The steady beating of the pumps began around 3:00 a.m. and continued on for approximately fourteen hours. The booms were lined up on the west side of the well lit excavation and pumped the foundation from south to north. Dewatering pumps worked constantly and added to the roar of pumps and mixer trucks. Except for a hydraulic hose failure the job went off without a hitch.
"We didn’t prepare the pumps in any other way than we would for a regular pour. We practice good maintenance and the pumps don‘t let us down. Some of these pumps worked jobs just before the pour and they will be on the job Monday," Goff stated.
Florida Concrete is getting used to the demands of big pours. They recently completed a 4000-yard mat pour for the Ocean Grand Sonesta (Concrete Pumping, summer 2002 issue).
