Sponge/water/sponge without ball stopper
GPM1985 05-01-2025
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I have started trying 5" hard sponge, ~5 gallons water, 6" soft sponge when sucking back on my 41M Alliance roll-and-fold, it does not have a ball stopper on the priming port. I am running into problems with either the first sponge entering the hopper or the second not getting all the way home. Company policy is one sponge/no water, but using water seems to be preferred based on what I'm reading and watching. Thoughts?
Todd 05-05-2025
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Sponge and Water Cleaning Methods for Boom Pumps

It sounds like you're trying to find the optimal clean-out method for your 41M Alliance roll-and-fold pump. Here are some thoughts based on industry experience:

Regarding Your Current Method

Using the 5" hard sponge + water + 6" soft sponge approach is actually a solid technique that many experienced operators prefer. However, since you're having issues:

  1. For the first sponge entering the hopper: Make sure you're creating enough suction. Try:

    • Ensuring you have adequate water in the system (5 gallons might be enough, but some operators use more)
    • When sucking back, let the water settle for about 20-30 seconds before reversing
    • Run your pump at an appropriate speed - too slow might not create enough suction

  2. For the second sponge not reaching home:

    • Consider the condition of your sponges - they may be too compressed/old
    • Check for any restrictions or tight spots in your boom configuration
    • Try using slightly more water between sponges

Alternative Methods

Water Wash Method: As mentioned in the forums, many experienced operators prefer water washing:

  • Pump the hopper down first, then reverse to pull water back through the system
  • Allow the water to sit briefly before pumping forward again
  • Repeat this process 2-3 times for best results

Single Bucket Technique: This method is highly praised by experienced operators:

  • After pumping concrete, suck a bucket of water back through the system
  • This requires less water (about 30 gallons vs 100+ for water washing)
  • It's less dependent on mixer trucks providing water
  • Allows you to fold up and travel to another job without dumping the hopper

Company Policy Considerations

While your company policy is one sponge/no water, many operators find that using water makes the process more effective and can actually extend the life of your equipment by ensuring a more thorough cleaning.

If you'd like to discuss this with your company, you might point out that proper water use can:

  • Prevent line blockages on future jobs
  • Reduce wear on pump components
  • Result in less concrete waste at job sites

Would you like more specific troubleshooting for your current method, or information on how to implement one of these alternative approaches?


This answer came from ConcretePumping.com AI
selina pump truck parts 05-13-2025
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Preparations before cleaning
Timing: Clean immediately after pumping (before the concrete has solidified).
Tools: High-pressure water gun, sponge ball (cleaning ball), sink or water collection container.
2. Cleaning steps
Reverse pump back the residual concrete:
First, the residual concrete in the pipeline is pumped back into the hopper through the "reverse pump" function of the pumping system.
Rinse with a sponge ball and high-pressure water:
Insert sponge balls at the end of the pipe (to prevent direct water erosion and damage to the pipe);
Start the high-pressure water gun, inject water in the reverse direction along the pipeline for flushing, and use the water pressure to push out the remaining concrete.
Key cleaning areas:
Hopper and S valve: Manual flushing to prevent concrete from solidifying in the crevices;
Hydraulic system: Only clean the exterior. Do not directly rinse the hydraulic components with water (to avoid water ingress failure).