Water pumps come in a variety of types, each of which is suitable for different applications. As a company that offers water pump rental services, we frequently receive questions about the various pumps we offer and which one is correct for a specific application.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the most common types of water pumps and their uses to help give you a better idea of how pumps are used in various applications:
Automotive water pumps: These impeller pumps are used in engines of cars and trucks to help circulate coolant within the engine’s water jacket. The fluid is pumped to a radiator that helps drop the coolant’s temperature by transferring the heat to the air. While technically a water pump, the fluid is a mixture of water with a glycol-based mixture.
Agricultural water pumps: The agricultural industry has a heavy reliance on water pumps for irrigation processes. These pumps may send groundwater or surface water to a holding area for optional treatment before it’s applied to the crops.
Dewatering pumps: In the construction world, contractors use dewatering pumps for removing ground or surface water that would get in the way of site excavation or to create a foundation or pour concrete footings. These pumps are most likely to be needed when work is being done in an area with a high water table.
Industrial water pumps: This term refers to most water pumps that are used in heavy-duty industries like manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, chemical, pharmaceutical and food and beverage.
Saltwater pumps: Saltwater pumps are designed to hold up to the harsh, corrosive nature of saltwater, which could damage various materials. These pumps are often used for firefighting operations on marine vessels or transferring ballast. Most saltwater pumps are designed with materials like bronze and stainless steel that are highly corrosion-resistant.
Stormwater pumps: These pumps are designed to move stormwater away from collection points where runoff is designed to accumulate for treatment or for passage into the sewer system. Typically, these will be electrical submersible pumps, but there are settings in which hydraulic or pneumatic pumps may be used.
Sump pumps: Sump pumps are a common fixture in homes and other properties as a means of waterproofing the low part of a building and removing excess water to prevent flooding. As the water table rises with heavy rains that saturate the soil and collect along the foundation, the sump pit fills with water. At a certain point, the sump pump kicks into gear and pumps the water out of the pit and away from the building.
Wastewater pumps: These pumps are designed to move wastewater away from a collection point to a treatment facility where the wastewater undergoes chemical treatment before being released into the environment.
These are just a few examples of the types of water pumps you can find on the market. For more information about our water pump rental services, contact us at Ram Rent-All, Inc.
At any jobsite, the workers are only as good as the tools with which they are outfitted. For certain types of jobs, concrete saw rental may be necessary to complete the job efficiently and correctly.
Of course, it’s important you select a concrete saw that is actually sufficient for your needs at the jobsite.
Here’s a quick overview of how to pick a concrete saw the next time you need to rent one.
Consider the application
For what will you be using the saw? This is the foremost consideration you need to factor into your search. Different types of concrete saws are made for different types of cutting jobs. You might find any of the following:
Walk-behind saws: These are large saws mounted on carts that are best used for large, horizontal concrete slabs, such as parking lots, airport runways, patios and foundations. Their larger size helps keep the blades aligned properly.
Chainsaws: Similar to chainsaws made for cutting wood, concrete chainsaws are able to create a deeper cut than cutoff saws and other alternatives. They’re used for cutting deep, narrow openings, sharp angles and square corners.
Cutoff saws: Cutoff saws are able to cut through concrete, brick and metal up to 5 inches thick. They’re portable and easy to use, often used for cutting openings for doors and windows in precast concrete.
Early entry saws: These saws implement downward pressure on the cutting surface and are generally used for cutting crack-control joints in uncured concrete.
The type of blade
Concrete saws require hard-edged blades because of how hard concrete is. Contractors generally prefer diamond blades because there’s nothing harder than diamond. Such blades feature diamond chips and dust adhered to the blade; as cutting friction wears away that blend, new, sharp diamonds are exposed, ensuring the blade stays sharp for longer.
You should also consider the compatibility of the blade. The blade should have a cutting depth and diameter that is compatible with the specifications of the saw, including horsepower and revolutions per minute (RPM). If the saw is too powerful for the blade, you run the risk of malfunctions and injuries. If the saw is too slow for the blade, this will likely lead to reduced lifespan and performance.
Finally, consider the blade’s specialty. Some blades are designed for cutting green concrete, while others are used only for dry cutting.
The saw’s niche
There are some saws that are developed for specific types of jobs or to address certain industry niches. For example, you can find saws that are specifically designed to cut through concrete walls, others that are capable of cutting up to 10 inches deep while reducing vibration and others that are designed for cutting through concrete that is still wet. Make sure you match the saw’s purpose with your needs.
For more information about concrete saw rental and how to pick a concrete saw, get in touch with the team at Ram Rent-All, Inc. We look forward to helping you get ready for your next project!
Although temperatures may be hovering at or below freezing, when it comes to construction, the show must go on. Projects that need to be completed before the weather warms up can sometimes present a quandary.
Can you pour concrete in the winter? Yes, you can—you’ll just need to take some additional steps and precautions. If you’ve ever slipped and fallen on frozen concrete, you know that the cold can make it feel that much harder, but cold-weather concrete pouring is sometimes unavoidable.
This article will touch on how to pour concrete in winter weather.
Come prepared
As always, when executing a construction project, proper preparation prevents poor performance. If you know you’re going to be pouring concrete in temperatures around or below 40℉, you’ll need to take the appropriate measures to ensure that your concrete pour goes smoothly.
This means packing extra tools and setting an itinerary for the day by blocking out estimates for how long certain processes are going to take. Also, be sure to check when the sun sets, as you’ll not only lose light when it does, but the air will get colder as well.
Don’t pour concrete on frozen ground
This is the first rule of cold-weather concrete pouring. You should never under any circumstances pour concrete onto frozen ground or ground that’s covered by ice or snow.
Doing this will substantially compromise its structural integrity and could potentially render any concrete you pour unusable. Use construction heaters or electric blankets on the ground before you pour your concrete to warm up the ground and prime it for pouring.
Don’t use cold tools
Can you pour concrete in the winter? Yes, but you’ll have to closely monitor its temperature as its setting. In addition to that, you’ll need to make sure that the tools you’re using aren’t too cold to handle the concrete.
Using cold tools or tarps on warm concrete defeats the purpose of warming up the ground and mixing hot water into your concrete. Your tools should be stored in a warm, dry place and should only be brought out once you’re ready to use them.
Use quick-set additives
One of the biggest issues in cold-weather concrete pouring is the time that it takes the concrete to set once it’s poured. There are various steps you can take to all but guarantee that your concrete sets properly in frigid temperatures.
You can use quick-set products (additives designed to speed up set time) and hot water and add extra cement to accelerate the time it takes for your concrete to set.
Minimize bleed water
In colder climates, you want to limit the amount of bleed water present when pouring concrete. To do this, you can use vacuums or squeegees to swiftly remove the bleed water.
You can also use a concrete mix that contains a water-reducer to mitigate the longer bleeding times that occur when the temperatures are low.
Call for your equipment rental today
As you can see, you can pour concrete in the winter as long as you take the proper safety measures. If you need heavy equipment for a concrete construction project, call us at Ram Rent-All, Inc., where we have a vast array of heavy equipment available to rent, all at competitive prices.
Construction doesn’t stop completely when the frigid winter weather sets in. Because of this, you’ll need to make sure that your equipment can run smoothly in less-than-ideal conditions. Winter equipment usage may be rare, but knowing how to successfully navigate it could allow you to complete the project you’re working on in the time allotted for it.
Understanding how to run heavy equipment in the cold can give you a leg up on the competition and make your project a fruitful and potentially lucrative one.
This article will cover a few pointers that you can use to ensure that your heavy equipment works as intended this winter.
Conduct preventative maintenance
The best way to avoid problems with your equipment in the winter is to head them off at the pass. Performing detailed inspections and taking preventative maintenance measures before you use your equipment in frigid temperatures can help you avoid winter-related issues. Some steps you can take include checking tire pressure, swapping out fluids and putting in an engine block heater.
Check the manufacturer’s instructions
Each piece of equipment comes with a manual, and you should read through it thoroughly to ensure that you’re taking the best possible care of your equipment. Often, the manufacturer will provide specific instructions detailing how to combat the cold, and you should take note of these measures and put them into practice. Examples of manufacturer’s recommendations include fluid types, how to warm up the machine and which type of fuel to use.
Take care of the battery
When learning how to run heavy equipment in the cold, you’ll need to monitor the battery. This is because cold temperatures can reduce the battery’s cranking capacity by as much as 35 percent. In addition to that, cold weather can make your machines more difficult to start.
As such, you’ll need to monitor the battery and take great pains to ensure that it’s working properly. You should check it regularly to establish that it’s not corroded and that the terminals and connections are sound. Cleaning the battery with a wire brush and spraying it with terminal protectant should keep it running smoothly.
Clean the equipment
A key component to responsible winter equipment usage is making sure that it’s clean. Over time, dirt and mud can become caked on your equipment. When temperatures plunge, that mud can freeze and potentially cause significant damage.
There’s also the issue of salt being used on roads to prevent freezing that you’ll have to deal with. If your equipment is clean, it will run better and you should be able to reduce the number of winter-related issues you run into.
Store equipment and fluids inside if possible
The best way to protect your equipment from the cold is to limit its exposure to the frosty air. If you can, you should try to store your equipment indoors, as this will largely limit the amount of cold-related damage that it will incur. The exception to this is if you must leave your equipment idling overnight. In that case, do not store your machines indoors.
Call for your equipment rental today
Now that you know how to run heavy equipment in the cold and some winter equipment usage tips, call us at Ram Rent-All, Inc. We’ve been offering high-quality equipment rentals at reasonable rates for over 30 years, so call us about your equipment rental today.
Sandblasting is the process of spraying abrasive particles under high pressure to smooth or clean a surface. Since it involves high-powered equipment and abrasive particles, sandblasting can be dangerous.
This post will give you some sandblasting safety to ensure your next sandblasting project goes off without a hitch.
Secure the area
The first step is securing the environment around you. Follow these steps to keep yourself as safe as possible:
Eliminate tripping hazards: It doesn’t take much for a worker to trip or slip on the floor and fall down. While a fall is a problem on its own, it’s even worse if the worker falls while sandblasting. Clean up all the clutter on the ground before setting to work.
Ensure the blasting area is fully functional: Along with removing any tripping hazards, you’ll need to verify that the blasting area is ready and functional. This means checking the ventilation, air compressors and power supplies.
Stop dangerous activities: All workers need to be paying full attention while sandblasting is going on. This means no smoking, eating or drinking while the sandblaster is running. Failing to abide by this rule could lead to severe injuries.
Check the blasting equipment
The second step in terms of how to sandblast is checking the equipment. Here are a few things to inspect:
Signs of damage: You’ll want to start by looking for cracks or other signs of damage in all of the blasting equipment. Any cracks or other flaws in the equipment could leak toxins into the air or cause total equipment failure. Make repairs or replace damaged gear immediately instead of trying to use it again.
Use less-toxic abrasives: All sandblasting abrasives are at least somewhat harmful (which is part of what makes them effective), but be sure to use materials that are lower on the toxicity spectrum. This step is crucial when it comes to sandblasting safety.
Breathing filters: The breathing filters and carbon monoxide monitors should be tested daily to ensure the area is properly ventilated. If there isn’t enough ventilation, the area could be too toxic to work in.
Wear the right gear
Now that the area is prepped and the equipment looks safe, it’s time to put on your protective gear. Here are the items you’ll need to have on:
Protective garments: In addition to long-sleeved shirts and pants, all workers on the site should wear helmets, gloves, heavy work boots, earplugs and protective eyewear. Make sure all of your clothing items are approved by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
Respiratory equipment: Anyone using a blaster needs to wear an abrasive blasting respirator covering their head, face, neck and shoulders. Workers involved in the post-sandblasting cleanup process may also need to wear respiratory gear.
Rent your sandblasting equipment from us
Now that you know how to sandblast and how to keep yourself safe, it’s time to get to work. If you need to rent your sandblasting equipment, talk to our team at Ram Rent-All Inc. about our equipment rental selection. We rent everything from handheld items to heavy machinery at some of the lowest prices in town.
