Gar-Bro 3642-C Center Discharge Floor Hopper Dual Gate 2.4 CY

Gar-Bro 3642-C Center Discharge Floor Hopper — 2.4 CY Dual Gate for High-Volume Concrete Placement

The Gar-Bro 3642-C is a 2.4 cubic yard center discharge floor hopper engineered for contractors who need a reliable, high-capacity material transfer solution on concrete pours and construction sites. Featuring a dual gate configuration and a generous 48" x 60" top opening, this hopper is designed to accept large volumes of concrete from truck chutes or buckets and discharge material precisely at the center of the unit. At 1,100 pounds and 76 inches tall, the 3642-C is the base configuration in the Gar-Bro center discharge dual gate floor hopper series, built for demanding B2B jobsite use.

Unlike single gate floor hoppers, the dual gate design on the 3642-C provides more controlled, balanced discharge, reducing the risk of uneven flow and spillage during pours. The 3642-C serves as the foundational unit in a modular series — contractors who require greater capacity can add extension collars (items D, E, or F) to step up to 3.4, 4.4, or 5.4 cubic yard versions without investing in an entirely new hopper. This scalable architecture makes the 3642-C a cost-effective long-term asset for operations with varying pour volumes.

Key Features & Benefits

Dual Gate Discharge

The dual gate system provides two independently operated gates at the center discharge point, giving operators greater control over flow rate and material release. This design minimizes waste and allows for more precise placement compared to single gate alternatives, especially valuable on formed pours where overfill can cause costly rework.

Center Discharge Configuration

Material exits from the center of the hopper, allowing contractors to position the hopper directly over forms, pumps, or conveyors and discharge with accuracy. Center discharge reduces the lateral movement of concrete, improving pour consistency on flatwork and structural applications.

Large 48" x 60" Top Opening

The wide top opening is shared across all dual gate center discharge floor hoppers in this series, making it easy to load from ready-mix truck chutes without spillage or repositioning. This large inlet opening accelerates loading cycles and keeps operations moving efficiently on time-sensitive pours.

Modular Extension Collar Compatibility

The 3642-C is the base unit for a full series of floor hoppers — extension collars D, E, and F allow capacity upgrades to 3.4, 4.4, or 5.4 cubic yards as project demands grow. This modularity protects the contractor's initial investment and eliminates the need to purchase an entirely new hopper when larger volumes are required.

Heavy-Duty Construction — 1,100 lb Rated Unit

At 1,100 pounds, the 3642-C is built with the structural integrity required for repeated high-volume concrete loading and discharge on active jobsites. Gar-Bro has manufactured concrete handling equipment to meet or exceed ASME standards since 1923, and that heritage of American-engineered quality is reflected in this hopper's robust build.

76-Inch Working Height

The 76-inch height is optimized for standard floor-level operations, providing adequate clearance for discharge into forms, pumps, or concrete buggies positioned beneath the gate. The consistent height across base configurations ensures predictable integration into existing material handling workflows.

Common Applications

Concrete Slab Pours

Position the 3642-C over the slab form and discharge directly into the pour area, controlling flow with the dual gate for uniform concrete distribution across large flatwork sections.

Foundation and Footing Placement

Use the center discharge configuration to direct concrete accurately into narrow footing forms, reducing the need for manual spreading and minimizing segregation of the mix.

High-Rise and Multi-Story Construction

Floor hoppers are commonly used in conjunction with cranes or hoists to receive concrete at upper floors from ground-level truck delivery, then discharge precisely into deck forms or pump inlets.

Concrete Pump Feeding

The large top opening and controlled dual gate make this hopper well-suited for loading trailer-mounted or truck-mounted concrete pumps, maintaining a consistent feed to keep the pump primed and output steady.

Precast and Tilt-Up Panel Production

In precast yards, the 3642-C can be used to fill panel forms efficiently, with the center discharge allowing operators to walk the hopper discharge along the length of a form for even coverage.

General Concrete Transfer and Staging

Wherever ready-mix trucks cannot reach the exact pour location, the 3642-C acts as an intermediate transfer vessel, receiving from the truck chute and discharging to buggies, skips, or directly into forms.

Compatible Materials

• Ready-mix concrete
• High-slump and standard-slump concrete mixes
• Flowable fill and controlled low-strength material (CLSM)
• Grout and cementitious mixes
• Aggregate and crushed stone (for staging and transfer)
• Shotcrete premix (wet process)

Product Documents

• Gar-Bro Product Catalog (English)
• Gar-Bro Product Catalog (Español)

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between the 3642-C and the other models in this series (3902-C, 3182-C, 3442-C)?
A: The 3642-C is the base hopper at 2.4 cubic yards and 76 inches tall with no collar included. The other models — 3902-C (3.4 CY, 84"), 3182-C (4.4 CY, 92"), and 3442-C (5.4 CY, 100") — are the 3642-C fitted with extension collars D, E, or F respectively to increase capacity and height.

Q: Can I add an extension collar to the 3642-C after purchase to increase capacity?
A: Yes. The 3642-C is the base unit designed to accept extension collars. Adding collar D yields the 3902-C (3.4 CY), collar E yields the 3182-C (4.4 CY), and collar F yields the 3442-C (5.4 CY), making this a scalable investment for contractors with changing project needs.

Q: What is the top opening size on the 3642-C?
A: All dual gate center discharge floor hoppers in this series, including the 3642-C, share a 48" x 60" top opening, which is sized to accept concrete directly from standard ready-mix truck chutes.

Q: How does a center discharge floor hopper differ from a receiving hopper?
A: A floor hopper sits at ground or floor level and is loaded from above (e.g., truck chute or crane bucket), then discharges downward or at grade. A receiving hopper is typically designed to accept material from an elevated source and direct it elsewhere. The center discharge configuration means the gate is positioned at the center of the hopper base rather than at one end, providing more balanced and targeted material flow.

Q: Is the 3642-C designed to meet any specific industry standards?
A: Yes. All Gar-Bro concrete handling equipment, including this floor hopper, is designed to meet or exceed ASME standards, consistent with Gar-Bro's manufacturing heritage dating to 1923.

Q: How do I contact Gar-Bro for pricing or additional configuration options?
A: Gar-Bro can be reached at 1-800-643-8192 or by email at [email protected]. Their facility is located at 104 Bolton Sullivan Drive, Heber Springs, AR 72543.