Consistency is one of the most valuable characteristics of concrete mixers. You want to know that you’re going to continue receiving a steady supply of high-quality concrete, without having to worry about poor blending or slowing performance. This article will not only emphasise the importance of reliability but also show you how to ensure it.
The Core Function Of A Concrete Mixer
A concrete mixer is a straightforward but highly effective tool designed to turn the various components of concrete– that being water, cement mix, sand and aggregates like gravel– into concrete. To do so, all the ingredients are loaded into a heavy-duty steel drum, which rotates at a steady pace until everything within is smoothly combined.
In some cases (particularly the larger mixers), there may even be a feeder present to allow for the easy loading of these ingredients. This drum sits within the housing of a sturdy frame, capable of withstanding both the internal and external pressures of the work. While older models do use hand cranks, most modern concrete mixers have either a petrol or electric motor to power the rotating function. Once all the mixing is complete, a tipping function helps to discharge the concrete, which may be further aided by the presence of a chute.
Why The Concrete Mixer Is An Essential Construction Companion
The concrete mixer is such a valued asset on the construction site for a number of reasons. First off, it provides much faster access to concrete than relying on manual labour. Before concrete mixers existed, we relied solely on teams of labourers to churn cement using hand tools. While it got the job done, it took an immense amount of labour and time.
Concrete mixers perform the same task, but in a fraction of the time. Of course, it also helps to reduce the labour involved in concrete making, as it takes only one or a few labourers to assist and oversee the process. The hands that would have been devoted to concrete mixing are now free to be reassigned to other tasks, helping speed up other aspects of construction too. Owning a concrete mixer can also help companies and homeowners to save money.
The other alternative to hand mixing concrete is to purchase pre-mixed concrete from a business, who likely use their own mixers. While a reliable source of concrete, these come at an additional cost and logistical challenge. If you find yourself consistently utilising the services of these concrete-supplying businesses, you are likely better off investing in the purchase of your own mixer. Then you’ll be able to produce as much concrete as you need, whenever you want, and without having to pay extra.
Why Consistency Matters
There’s one other major benefit of a concrete mixer over hand mixing that’s not been mentioned yet: consistency. Hand mixing, for all the effort invested in the process, still carries with it the risk of a failed batch if the labourers fail to sufficiently blend all the ingredients before the concrete hardens.
If you were to attempt to build with this subpar concrete, you’d quickly find that it doesn’t hold shape properly and will doubtlessly fail as a safe and effective construction material. You’d be forced to start all over again, having lost all of that time and resources. Concrete mixers, on the other hand, rarely face this issue. It’s not that it’s impossible, but the powerful and steady churning of these machines is truly adept at creating a smooth blend of concrete, with no remaining unmixed ingredients. This drastically lowers the chance of having to contend with lost time or the cost of wasted resources. Of course, it also means that you’re going to be able to enjoy a steady supply of high-quality cement with reliability. It’s important that your concrete mixer is one that can all but guarantee you that peace of mind, no matter the scenario.
Power And Consistency
One of the major forces responsible for ensuring consistent results from your concrete mixer would be power. This, of course, comes from the motor, which comes in a variety of different forms across a variety of models. Each of these has different specifications, yielding a variety of horsepower outputs and efficiency rates.
To keep things simple, though, it’s important to know that your concrete mixer doesn’t need the most powerful motor on the market. It simply needs enough power to turn a fully loaded drum without fail. A motor that isn’t strong enough may be able to push through in the initial stages of mixing but will begin to flag not long thereafter. The results of the mixing process will be poor, leaving you with unusable concrete.
Other than ensuring the concrete mixer you purchase has a relatively powerful and high-quality motor, there are still other things you can do to ensure satisfactory performance from it. First off, you’re going to want to make sure the motor has a steady fuel source. Whether it’s petrol or electric, the concrete mixer won’t run if it doesn’t have the juice to do so. Secondly, you can regularly inspect the motor for any signs of damage, leaks or components that require replacement before it’s put to use, tending to those needs if they’re found.
Durability And Consistency
Durability is going to have a massive impact on the consistency of your concrete mixer’s results. Most mixers are built using pretty tough materials, but you may be surprised by just how high a quality these components need to be. Remember, a concrete mixer is facing a battle on two fronts. The first is coming from the outside, as it’s going to be working in tough conditions where sun, wind, rain, mud, dust, erosion and accidental impacts are an everyday part of operation.
Secondly, there’s the powerful rumbling of its own motor and rotating drum, placing strain upon its structure from the inside. If even one component is made of low-quality materials that wear away under strain, it’s likely to have a knock-on effect on the performance of the mixer. That’s why it’s so important that each and every part of the concrete mixer is made from materials that can withstand both external and internal pressure.
That being said, you can aid the durability of your concrete mixer in several ways. Start by ensuring that the drum is cleaned of any residual concrete immediately after use, not allowing the leftovers to harden inside. A buildup of this sort is likely to slow down efficiency and even crack the drum. Use a stiff-bristled brush, a high-power hose, and even cement-dissolving solution if you must. Secondly, perform regular inspections of the entire unit before use, looking out for any signs of damage or loose components that need to be tightened. Finally, when you’re not using the mixer, it should be stored somewhere clean, cool and dry, preferably under a tarp to protect it from the elements.
Suitability And Consistency
Consistent results are only achievable from a concrete mixer if it’s being applied to a task for which it is suited. The concrete mixer comes in many different sizes and forms based on a range of intended purposes, although they all revolve around mixing concrete. Some are small units that can be wheeled around your house, discharging batches of a few dozen litres at a time.
Others are steel-clad behemoths capable of belching out hundreds of litres of concrete in a single pass, applied to massive industrial or infrastructural projects. Obviously, one cannot effectively perform the task of the other. While you are unlikely to confuse the utility of these two examples, it’s not uncommon for people to try to load their mixers with more ingredients than their systems can handle, even if they technically fit into the drum. Each mixer will very clearly have its maximum capacity indicated, which should never be exceeded.
Doing so risks strain on the motor, which will reduce efficiency over time or risk a total breakdown eventually. You might receive more concrete, but it will be of a poorer quality from then on. Similarly, some people may attempt to move their mixer with lightweight wheels over rough outdoor terrain, only to be dismayed when those wheels break. There are specific heavy-duty wheels made exactly for rural worksite concrete mixers that should be used instead.
If you’re not sure what the most suitable concrete mixer for your intended project is, have a chat with BS Power. Our customer support service is set on helping you, even before you’ve made any purchases. We’ll listen and learn from your description of needs and refer you to the machines among our selection best suited to meeting those needs. With a mixer specifically designed for the exact tasks you have in mind, you’ll be able to enjoy consistently outstanding results.
Consistent Support For Your Concrete Mixers
BS Power does more to help ensure the consistency of your concrete mixer. To hammer in the confidence we have in our products, each and every one of them is protected by a very generous warranty. Should something ever go amiss, we’ll do our best to set it straight as soon as possible. All that you need to do is make a quick call to our attentive customer support service.
Our first step will be to troubleshoot the issue, using our intimate knowledge of our own machine’s mechanics to potentially identify a quick fix. If the root of the issue is discovered to lie in a damaged or malfunctioning part, we’ll work to send you a replacement piece as fast as we can, using a logistically sound nationwide shipping system. If the issue is dire enough to require the total replacement of the entire unit, we’ll do exactly that. If you’re a BS Power customer, you should be getting consistent results from your concrete mixer, and we’ll do our best to ensure it stays that way.
Conclusion
Without a concrete mixer at hand, any construction company would find itself in some trouble. They’re adept at producing large batches of high-quality concrete in short periods of time, making them an invaluable asset. However, it’s important that you’re able to trust your mixer’s ability to reliably supply you with evenly blended concrete, which you need to build with safely.
To ensure reliable performance, your mixer should have a powerful and well-maintained engine. It should be made from durable materials that withstand both external and internal pressure. It should be suited specifically to the task you’re applying it to. If, on top of this, you’ve purchased a BS Power mixer protected by our warranty, you should be able to enjoy years of consistent high-quality concrete.