Readymix cement advice

dacouch

I've not used them but feel sorry for Jim'll Mix It who I always laughed at the pun in their name. I feel sorry for them now as the name now is tarnished

WillCalderwood

southcoastrgi wrote: »

I won't tell you what i think you should do

you have moved m2 the OP is moving m3, if you think 2 men will move 6 tonnes of concrete each in an hr in two wheelbarrows then i think you need your head examed

Sorry southcoastrgi, my mistake, I meant m3. It was a 37m2 slab. And I know 2 men can move that much as I've done it. It works out about 20 barrows per m3 (depending on barrow size), so it's just over a barrow per minute for 4m3 in a hour, between 2 guys over a short distance on flat ground that's perfectly possible. I think you need your maths examined.

Also, 5m2 of concrete will weight about 12 tonnes, not 6.

WillCalderwood

Portly_Pig wrote: »

Do you still think it's doable for the op?

28 metres through the house over two thresholds and over the restored tiled floors.

It's hard to know without having a look at the site. Any kind of step makes things much more difficult. Pushing a very heavy barrow up a slope is a very different ball game. The distance is also an issue, I'd get at least 3 guys and 3 barrows for that distance, it'd still be cheaper than a pump. (Any more men than that and you may as well splash out on a pump). But then you've got the issue of passing points. It could be done as a train of guys, so all 3 fill, run through and dump,then wait till the last person is through before they start running back. Slightly slower as the mixer has to stop pouring when there's no barrow to fill.

Then you've got the issue of protecting the house, that's something the OP really needs to decide on. I guess you're involved in the project Portly? As these restored floors haven't been mentioned before.

I'd allow 10 seconds to fill the barrow, then work out the pushing time (allow for a very heavy barrow ~120kg), allow 15 seconds for positioning the barrow and dumping the concrete, then you've got the time to push back. Strength and fitness are very important when doing this for an hour non stop though, and pray it's not a hot day.

Concrete companies will usually say you have 20-30 mins to unload, although realistically they'll give you an hour before they start getting stroppy. You wouldn't want to take much more than an hour anyway as the concrete will start going off. Make sure you've got your levels clearly marked on the day, and mark several different levels above that to act as an indicator when your intended level gets hidden by concrete.

Edit: Basically a pump will be much easier, but if you're determined to save money, then barrowing is probably not impossible - just do the maths beforehand to work it out. Also, having an extra person to help with levelling and tamping as you go along wouldn't hurt.

southcoastrgi

southcoastrgi wrote: »

so you plan to shift 12 tonnes of concrete

southcoastrgi wrote: »

6 tonnes of concrete each

WillCalderwood wrote: »

I think you need your maths examined.

Also, 5m2 of concrete will weight about 12 tonnes, not 6.

nowt wrong with my maths

OP link here

southcoastrgi

WillCalderwood wrote: »

I'd allow 10 seconds to fill the barrow, then work out the pushing time (allow for a very heavy barrow ~120kg), allow 15 seconds for positioning the barrow and dumping the concrete, then you've got the time to push back. Strength and fitness are very important when doing this for an hour non stop though, and pray it's not a hot day.

Sorry I didn't realise you were superman in disguise my mistake Mr Kent

WillCalderwood

southcoastrgi wrote: »

Sorry I didn't realise you were superman in disguise my mistake Mr Kent

10 seconds of standing there doing nothing while the operator opens the chute - I'm not sure that requires super human strength. That's called rest time.

If takes you're more than 15 seconds to upend a barrow, you need to go to the gym!

WillCalderwood

southcoastrgi wrote: »

nowt wrong with my maths

OP link here

Sorry, I missed the word 'each'. I need my reading ability examined.

DUTR

charlotte_rose wrote: »

We are looking to order around 5 cubic metres of cement for foundations of our new extension.

I understand that there is either a wheel barrowing or pumping of the cement. There is no access from the road to our extension and it must all go through the house.

Is it possible to get it pumped through or will it be wheelbarrows?

Can anyone recommend a service in Enfield or North London?

Trust me you wouldn't want the concrete pumped via the house, the pipes block and they have to split the pipe which leave a mess even outside, on top of that, they still need a straightish run, I had some concrete pumped recently about a similar length



I don't envy your situation

Oh and the pump machine is very noisey.

keystone

Portly_Pig wrote: »

The op is running numerous threads.

Always a mistake.

Cheers

charlotte_rose

thick plywood has been placed down.

its going through. its the lesser of 2 evils and the only practical option here. thankfully, our builders have 4 men and barrows ready. they seem very motivated