How to Choose the Right Concrete Mix and Pump Line Size for Your Project

If you’re planning a concrete pour, choosing the right concrete mix and pump line size isn’t just a technical detail — it’s one of the most important decisions you can make to avoid delays, clogs, and costly do-overs.

At Premier Concrete Pumping, we’ve seen it all: from over-aggregated mixes that jam up 3” lines, to finishers fighting with cooked concrete, to job sites delayed because no one checked what aggregate size was being used.

This article will guide you through:

• How to choose the right pump line size

• What concrete mixes are compatible with which hoses

• When to use boom pumps vs. trailer pumps

• How mix design, aggregate size, and jobsite conditions affect your setup

• Our top field-tested tips to avoid pump clogs and concrete disasters

Why Mix Compatibility Matters

Concrete isn’t just “wet grey stuff.” It’s a combination of cement, water, and aggregates — and when the stone size doesn’t match your equipment, it causes problems.

Each pump and hose line has maximum aggregate limits. Go over those, and your line will clog — period.

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Pump Line Size vs. Maximum Aggregate Size

At Premier, one of the first questions we ask is:
“What mix are you using and what line size do you need?”

That’s because if you’re requesting 100 feet of 3″ line, you must use a smaller aggregate mix — like grout or fine concrete. Otherwise, you’ll plug the pump and bring the pour to a halt.

Trailer Pump vs Boom Pump: Which One Is Right?

Choosing between a trailer-mounted line pump and a boom pump depends on your job’s scope, site layout, and how fast you want to move.

When to Use a Line Pump:

• Tight access or indoor pours (e.g. basements, backyards)

• Small jobs or decorative slabs

• ICF foundation fills or underpinning

• Slow, controlled pours

• Lower budget

Line pumps are compact, cost-effective, and can handle a wide variety of mixes — as long as the right line size and stone size are used.

Need more help? Use our Pump Selector Tool to find the best pump for your pour.

When to Use a Boom Pump:

• When access is difficult (over fences, trees, buildings)

• Pours that require speed and reach

• Subdivisions, custom homes, commercial footings

• Large volumes and faster output

Premier carries boom pumps from 20m to 65m, so no matter the jobsite layout, we can reach your pour zone safely and efficiently.

Don’t Let Your Concrete Mix “Cook”

“Cooked concrete” is the term we use when the concrete starts setting before it’s pumped.

This usually happens when:

• The concrete truck sits too long on-site

• It’s mixed wrong at the plant

• Water is added too early, then sits in the drum

• Hot weather accelerates the setting process

If our operators see a cooked load, they may refuse to pump it — and they should. Pumping a setting mix can clog lines, damage equipment, and create cold joints in your pour.

That’s why timing and communication matter so much.

Jobsite Realities: Why the Right Hose Size Saves You Headaches

Let’s say your engineer spec’d a 25 MPa mix with ¾” stone.

If you’re trying to pump that through a 3” line, you’re almost guaranteed a clog — and you’ll lose time backtracking, flushing lines, and bringing in new mix.

To avoid this:

• Let us know your desired hose size

• Tell your concrete supplier what size hose you’re using

• Adjust the aggregate accordingly

This simple three-way conversation (you, your supplier, and us) prevents 90% of mix-related pumping issues.

What Happens If You Choose the Wrong Mix?

When the aggregate is too large for the pump line:

• The hose plugs

• The hopper fills up

• The operator has to reverse-pump to clear the blockage

• The pour is delayed

• Concrete trucks stack up

• You waste concrete, labour, and money

Worst case? The pump breaks. And now everyone’s down.

Choosing a Pump Based on Your Mix Type

If your mix includes:

• Large rock (¾”–1½”) → Use a 4” line with a boom or trailer pump

• Pea gravel / 3/8” → Use a 3” line

• No stone (grout/SCC/shotcrete) → Use 2” line or specialty line pumps

For ICF walls, we typically use 3” lines and bring vibrators and wall snakes to ensure full fill and no air pockets.

Output Rate: How Far and How Fast?

Concrete pumps are rated by:

• Cubic yards per hour (output rate)

• Horizontal reach (up to 1500 ft for line pumps)

• Vertical lift (up to 400 ft for boom pumps)

Too much pump for a small job = wasted money.
Too little pump for a large job = delays and inefficiencies.

That’s why we help you choose the right match for your pour — balancing mix type, reach, output, and labour available on-site.

Mix Additives and Their Impact

Sometimes the mix needs to change based on season or use case:

• Plasticizers improve flow without extra water

• Retarders slow setting time in hot weather

• Accelerators speed curing in cold weather

• Air entrainers protect against freeze-thaw damage

We help you match the additive with the job. We also make sure the mix doesn’t get over-engineered to the point of pump failure.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

• Requesting 3” line with ¾” stone

• Changing mix design last minute without notifying us

• Not having a washout zone on-site

• Assuming trailer pumps are always slower than booms (depends on the mix and layout)

• Ordering custom mixes without confirming pump compatibility

Premier’s Pump Compatibility Cheat Sheet

Final Word: Communicate With Your Pump Operator

You don’t need to know everything about aggregates, slump, or PSI ratings.

But here’s what you DO need to do:

• Tell us your mix type, slump, and stone size

• Let us know your desired line length and diameter

• Check if your mix is pumpable before the truck shows up

• Coordinate with your supplier on hose compatibility

• Ask us for advice if you’re unsure

Our job at Premier is to make your job easier. And that starts with a phone call or a message that says:

“Here’s what I’m pouring. What do you recommend?”

We’ll take it from there.

Need help choosing the right pump for your mix?

Use our free Pump Equipment Tool to get a quick recommendation based on your pour size, access, and mix.

Or just contact our team and we’ll talk you through it.

Let’s get it right the first time. Every time.