Ride-on power trowels have two spider/rotor assemblies and are controlled by an operator sitting on a seat upon the machine, controlling the power trowel movement with two joystick/levers (these can be either mechanical or electronic/hydraulic). Blade pitch is controlled either by manual turn handles, (usually both spiders are linked together) or by electric motors and switches. Ride on power trowels range in size from 6' machines weighing 600-700lb, up to 12'+ machines weighing over 2000lbs . And in power ranges from small 13 hp single cylinder engines, all the way up to 100+ hp multi fuel V8 engines. Drive systems come in two basic variations direct mechanical drive (typically using a CVT style clutch) and hydrostatic drive. Additionally, they are available in overlapping and non-overlapping configurations, the latter allowing the use of float pans.

The first type of concrete pump is attached to a truck or longer units are on semi-trailers. It is known as a boom concrete pump because it uses a remote-controlled articulating robotic arm (called a boom) to place concrete accurately. Boom pumps are used on most of the larger construction projects as they are capable of pumping at very high volumes and because of the labour saving nature of the placing boom. They are a revolutionary alternative to line-concrete pumps.

The second main type of concrete pump is either mounted on a truck or placed on a trailer, and it is commonly referred to as a line pump or trailer-mounted concrete pump. This pump requires steel or flexible concrete placing hoses to be manually attached to the outlet of the machine. Those hoses are linked together and lead to wherever the concrete needs to be placed. The length of the hoses varies typically 10’, 12.5’, 25’ and 50’ depending on the diameter of the hose. Line pumps normally pump concrete at lower volumes than boom pumps and are used for smaller volume concrete placing applications such as swimming pools, sidewalks, and single family home concrete slabs and most ground slabs.