A line pump runs concrete through ground-level rubber and steel hose to the pour point, which is exactly right for slab pours, basement placement, and any project that needs concrete moved from a truck-accessible position to a placement zone that is not. Less reach than a boom pump, much more economical for the right job. Detroit Concrete dispatches line pumps with experienced operators. Every booking starts with a free site assessment.
Line pumps run concrete through hose that lays on the ground rather than through a hydraulic boom. The hose can be assembled to whatever length the project needs, often hundreds of feet, and routed around or through obstacles that a boom cannot navigate. For slab pours, basement placements, foundation pours, and any ground-level work where reach matters more than vertical lift, line pump is the right tool.
It is also dramatically more economical than boom pump because the equipment cost is much lower. We recommend line pump first whenever the job allows; boom pump only when vertical reach or specific obstacle clearance demands it. For basement placement specifically, the hose can be run down through a window or door opening to deliver concrete where chute access is impossible.
We assess the site for truck access, the pour points, and the most efficient hose route from pump to placement zone. The route avoids obstacles where possible and includes turns the hose can handle without restriction.
Set up pump and assemble line
Pump truck arrives, parks at the planned position, hose sections are assembled to the engineered length, and the line is connected to both pump and placement nozzle.
Prime and pump
The line is primed with grout to coat the inside surface, then concrete starts flowing at the rate the placement crew can handle. Operator manages flow throughout the pour.
Clean out and disconnect
After the pour, the line is cleaned out with a sponge ball pushed through with water or air, hose is disassembled cleanly, and the pump is ready for the next job.
When to choose line
Line Pump Is the Default Tool
For most pour situations where the truck cannot park within chute distance of the placement, line pump is the right choice. It costs less than boom pump, handles the volume most slab and basement pours need, and the long hose can be routed creatively to reach almost any ground-level pour point.
Coordinate with adjacent boom pump for the jobs where reach exceeds what line can do, and with ready-mix for the concrete supply side of the pour.
Hose length, basement access, pricing and when line beats boom.
Hose can be assembled to substantial lengths depending on the pump's pressure capacity and the concrete mix being placed. Most residential and commercial pours fit easily within standard line length; we confirm reach during the site assessment.
Yes, often the best option for basement placement. The hose can be run down a window opening, through an exterior door, or through a basement walkout to deliver concrete directly to the basement floor area without chute access.
Usually yes, significantly cheaper. The equipment cost is much lower and the setup is simpler. For projects within line pump's capability (ground-level reach), it is almost always the better value.
Clear the planned hose route, identify any sharp turns the hose cannot handle, and have the placement crew positioned. We confirm the prep details when booking.
Typically a setup fee plus hourly rate. Line pump rates are lower than boom pump rates reflecting the lower equipment cost. The quote covers expected pour duration; longer pours bill additional time.
Client reviews
What Detroit Contractors Say About Their Line Pump Service
Line pump for a backyard patio that the truck could not reach by chute. Hose run through the side gate, no boom needed, way less than a boom would have cost. Right tool, right price.
Z. N5
Slab Contractor, Detroit
★★★★★
Basement floor pour with line pump fed through a window opening. Concrete delivered directly to the placement zone, no awkward chute angle. Operator made it look easy.
Y. N5
Foundation Contractor, Warren
★★★★★
Multiple slab pours on a custom build, line pump dispatched for each. Consistent quality, on-time arrival, and the operator was the same on every visit. Real relationship.
Q. N5
Home Builder, Ann Arbor
★★★★★
They recommended line pump when we asked about boom pump, saved us real money on a project where line had the reach. Honest spec, smaller bill, same quality.
X. N5
Commercial GC, Sterling Heights
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