Should You Choose A Concrete Boom Machine

Posted On: 21/10/2025 | Posted by: Haomei Concrete Pumps

Concrete boom pumps are becoming increasingly common in the construction industry. They offer flexible concrete delivery and significantly improve pouring efficiency. However, with an investment of thousands of dollars, many practitioners struggle with the question of whether to buy or rent. There's no definitive answer; the key lies in whether it aligns with their construction needs, cost structure, and long-term planning.

1. Does your project truly require long-term use?

To determine whether to purchase a concrete boom machine, first consider its frequency of use. If you only occasionally undertake one or two small projects, such as multi-story residential construction or local road repairs, purchasing equipment could lead to idleness and waste. The equipment will age over time, and you'll have to bear maintenance costs and warehouse rental fees, making it less cost-effective than leasing on a daily basis.

However, if the following two scenarios apply, the necessity of purchasing a concrete boom pump increases significantly:

High-frequency use: For example, if you regularly undertake projects such as high-rise buildings, large factories, bridges, and tunnels, the boom pump will be used for more than six months annually. In this case, purchasing equipment can avoid repeated rental fees.

Customized needs: If a project has special requirements for boom length or material placement accuracy (for example, a high-rise building requires a boom over 50 meters, or a narrow site requires flexible equipment), the rental market may not be able to match the requirements. In this case, purchasing dedicated equipment can reduce construction delays.

2. Can you afford the hidden costs?

Many people only focus on the "down payment" of a boom pump, but overlook the subsequent hidden expenses, which often become a burden:

Direct costs: In addition to the equipment itself, there are also purchase taxes and insurance premiums .

Operating costs: A boom pump requires a professional operator and regular maintenance. If a malfunction occurs, repair costs can reach thousands of dollars.

Capital costs: If you purchase with a loan, you will have to pay interest monthly. If you purchase with your own funds, this will tie up your working capital, impacting the cash flow of other projects. On the other hand, if you meet the following conditions, the cost pressure of "buying" will be much less:

l A stable cash flow to cover equipment purchase and subsequent operating expenses;

l A fixed maintenance team or partner manufacturer to reduce maintenance and repair costs;

l The ability to generate additional revenue and share costs by leasing the equipment to other small companies (for example, during downtime on your own projects).

3. Is the equipment an "asset" or a "burden"?

Buying a boom pump isn't just a one-time deal; you also need to consider the future after 3-5 years:

Industry Trends: If your business focuses on large-scale, long-term projects (such as municipal engineering or large-scale real estate development), boom pumps, as core equipment, can enhance your construction competitiveness and be considered a "high-quality asset." However, if your business primarily focuses on small, short-term projects, the construction concrete pump may face the dilemma of being "unused and unsold" in the future, becoming a "burden."

Equipment Residual Value: The residual value of boom pumps varies significantly across brands. For example, brands like Sany, Zoomlion, and Haomei can maintain a 40%-50% residual value after 5 years if properly maintained, while niche brands may only have a 20%-30% residual value. If you plan to replace equipment in the future, choosing a brand with a high residual value can minimize losses.

Team Capacity: If a company has a mature equipment management system (for example, dedicated personnel for maintenance and dispatch), boom pumps can maintain efficient operation. However, if the team lacks management experience, equipment failures may occur frequently, hindering construction progress.

Original source: https://www.concrete-pump-cn.com/a/should-you-choose-a-concrete-boom-machine.html

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