JTS Improvements - Want More

Cytasticlone

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Mar 22, 2012
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Ames, IA
Question: Seeing the pump boom fully extended and straightened made me wonder... Do pumps have any kind of adjustable/movable counterbalance weight system? Or, is it just fixed weight along with the deployable arms? Do they have to angle the boom a certain direction?
 

Sousaclone

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Apr 29, 2006
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North of Seattle
Question: Seeing the pump boom fully extended and straightened made me wonder... Do pumps have any kind of adjustable/movable counterbalance weight system? Or, is it just fixed weight along with the deployable arms? Do they have to angle the boom a certain direction?

They just use the weight of the carrier as the ballast. That's why the outrigger spread is fairly large, especially when you get to the larger machines. The longer the boom, the more carrier you have. I think the largest ones operating in North America are 70m units. Those actually come on tractor trailer chassis. I think there are only like 15-30 of those machines in the entire country.

In a perfect world you'd keep the boom working a 180 degree arc centered over the front of the machine. They can spin through 370 of swing, but can't spin continuously (like an excavator or crane) as the hydraulics get tangled up. They can pretty much reach any spot on a 360 globe around themselves though (above and below ground).

Lots of little tricks and stuff to them. The operator controls each joint independently so you can make it take any shape you want. The booms are also fairly flexible. If you are pumping hard with a difficult mix and stretch all the way out, the hose at the vary end can jump 2-3 feet per stroke. I've seen it pick a guy up off the ground and throw him 4-5 feet (for the record you are not supposed to hold the hose, just push/guide it in the correct direction).
 

BigJCy

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Apr 11, 2006
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Was it ever confirmed if there was a sprinkler system installed on the hillsides or not?
 

Aclone

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Dec 14, 2007
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Des Moines, Ia.
Was it ever confirmed if there was a sprinkler system installed on the hillsides or not?
There were trenches on the hillsides, a sprinkler company on site last week, and then what appeared to be sprinkler heads visible.

The latter immediately before they installed the sod.

Does that count as “confirmed”? Sorry, it’s the best I can do.

Maybe someone can snare a shot of the sprinklers running. That should happen before long.
 

cytor

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Nov 20, 2011
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The cement walkway has NOT been poured on the NE hillside yet, correct?
 

Aclone

Well-Known Member
Dec 14, 2007
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Des Moines, Ia.
The cement walkway has NOT been poured on the NE hillside yet, correct?
On the inside, the concourse? That was the first thing they did after putting the topsoil down, just like on the NW hillside.

Edit: I believe the ramp is also poured. There is/was a gap for where they moved equipment onto the hillside, just as currently with the NW.
 

Aclone

Well-Known Member
Dec 14, 2007
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Des Moines, Ia.
Just estimating the remaining steps on the outdoor work…speaking as an admitted rank amateur.

On Jack, the NW hillside, now that the concourse sidewalk is poured:

A. Remove the forms, close the topsoil gap and concrete saw.
B. Trench for irrigation system.
C. Install irrigation system.
D. Place sod.
E. Close gap from ramp to concourse used for heavy equipment, and pour.

In front of the Jake and SPC.

F. Grade, gravel and set forms for remaining extensive walkways.
G. Trench green spaces for irrigation.
H. Install irrigation.
I. Place sod.

Please note that I don’t know where in the overall schedule “E” fits in—but it seems to me it’s the last thing they’ll need heavy equipment for, and the staging and parking areas for that heavy equipment.

This doesn’t include finishing work on the Jacobson Building or the concourse—let alone interior work on the SPC.

Am I missing anything?
 

BigJCy

Well-Known Member
Apr 11, 2006
24,983
21,835
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There were trenches on the hillsides, a sprinkler company on site last week, and then what appeared to be sprinkler heads visible.

The latter immediately before they installed the sod.

Does that count as “confirmed”? Sorry, it’s the best I can do.

Maybe someone can snare a shot of the sprinklers running. That should happen before long.
That works for me! ;)
 
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cysmiley

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Jun 30, 2012
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Just estimating the remaining steps on the outdoor work…speaking as an admitted rank amateur.

On Jack, the NW hillside, now that the concourse sidewalk is poured:

A. Remove the forms, close the topsoil gap and concrete saw.
B. Trench for irrigation system.
C. Install irrigation system.
D. Place sod.
E. Close gap from ramp to concourse used for heavy equipment, and pour.

In front of the Jake and SPC.

F. Grade, gravel and set forms for remaining extensive walkways.
G. Trench green spaces for irrigation.
H. Install irrigation.
I. Place sod.

Please note that I don’t know where in the overall schedule “E” fits in—but it seems to me it’s the last thing they’ll need heavy equipment for, and the staging and parking areas for that heavy equipment.

This doesn’t include finishing work on the Jacobson Building or the concourse—let alone interior work on the SPC.

Am I missing anything?
We were discussing a few weeks back whether there would be a safety rail on the hillside walls next to the Jake. After seeing a construction worker sit on top of one to eat something, I can see the practicality of having something up there that would make it very uncomfortable to sit there and watch a football game, not to mention safety considerations. Of course they could put in a basket like Wrigley Field :D
 
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