Cement mixers are incredible machines that automate the laborious task of producing a strong concrete mixture. A good concrete mixture consists of several elements, including cement, an aggregate for strengthening purposes (usually sand or gravel but can be substituted for a host of other materials today as well), and water. These three core elements produce a strong, versatile, and cost-effective building medium that has been used in buildings all around the world for hundreds of years.

 

When researching cement mixers, there is often confusion as the terms concrete mixer and cement mixer are used interchangeably but generally refer to the same type of machine. Within this article, we will be using the term cement mixer to avoid confusion. The market’s vastness and the abundance of models and product types to choose from present the second challenging part of purchasing a mixer. The range of options available to you could be too much to handle if you’re not in the construction sector or if this is your first time purchasing a machine of this type.

 

That is why, in this article, we at BS Power want to help both educate and inform our valued customers and readers. Here we want to focus on several factors that one should think about before purchasing a cement mixer. From what sort of mixers are available on the market to whether you should rent or buy, we discuss all this and more. So, if you are eager to get your hands on a new powerful mixer but want to be well informed before you do so, then this is the article for you.

 

Types Of Mixers To Choose From

 

The first and most basic factor to consider when purchasing cement mixers is to know what type of mixer you will need. The variety of mixers on the market has increased due to the market’s intense innovation during the last ten years. Understanding what types are available to you will make choosing the correct cement mixer a whole lot easier.

 

Below, we will look at three of the most popular types of mixers on the market today, explaining how they are defined and what they are best suited for:

 

Drum Mixers

 

When you picture cement mixers, you are most likely picturing a drum mixer – they are probably the most common and well-known type of mixer. They are characterised by their large rotating drum that usually sits at an angle. Within the drum, there are blades or paddles attached to the drum’s interior walls. As the drum itself rotates, the stationary blades inside will lift and drop the aggregate, water, and cement, which causes them to mix with each other, ensuring a uniform and consistent mix.

 

Drum mixers are popular because they offer a wide range of advantages. Amongst the different types of mixers available, drum mixers generally offer the largest capacity; their design also leads to efficient and well-mixed batches of concrete. Furthermore, many drum mixers are designed to have the drum sit on wheels, making them extremely portable and easy to move around a construction site.

 

Pan Mixers

 

The name pan mixer offers an apt description of these machines. They are very different in design and shape from drum mixers but still accomplish the task of automating the concrete mixing process. A pan mixer is defined by its open, pan-shaped drum that remains stationary, while the centre of the drum has a set of rotating blades that will mix the concrete within the pan container.

 

Although a pan and drum mixer are made to accomplish the same task, there are certain roles that a pan mixer can accomplish better than a drum mixer. Most importantly, the pan mixer is generally considered to be the more versatile of the two, as their design allows for them to mix concrete mixtures that are higher in viscosity; they are also used when a specialised concrete mixture is needed. Additionally, pan mixers are easier to clean to do the stationary pan relative to a rotating drum.

 

Mortar Mixers

 

The final type of cement mixer we think is important to mention here are mortar mixers. Again, as the name suggests, they are used primarily to mix mortar rather than concrete. These machines can cause confusion as they look similar to drum mixers with a drum-shaped design. However, since these mixers are made specifically to mix mortar, they differ in a few important ways.

 

Critically, they are more akin to a pan mixer than a drum mixer; the mortar mixer is characterised by its stationary drum or trough with blades in the centre that rotate in order to mix the mortar. Because mortar is a finer building material making use of sand rather than rougher aggregates and has a relative strength to concrete, the mixer doesn’t need to be as powerful as cement mixers.

 

Therefore, you will also note that mortar mixers tend to be smaller and more compact, and it is generally recommended that one does not mix concrete in these machines.

 

 

What To Consider When Purchasing Cement Mixers

 

Now that we better understand the different model types of cement mixers available to us, we can concentrate on your needs as the consumer. It’s imperative to think about your needs and goals regarding the type of construction and building you intend to do. What do you need the mixer for? How large are the project you’re working on? How often do you believe you will use the machine?

 

All these factors are important when it comes to deciding on a machine. Below, we will delve into three important considerations to keep in mind when choosing the correct cement mixer:

 

Project Size

 

As you may expect, probably the most important factor to consider when buying a new mixer is the size of the projects you envision working on in the future. Generally, the larger the cement mixer, the more expensive it is going to be, due to the need for a more powerful engine to help it run. However, if you underestimate the size of the projects you will be working on and you overwork your machine, it can easily burn out or wear down, shortening the life of your mixer drastically.

 

Here are some basic guidelines that may help you be able to choose the right size for you:

 

Smaller Projects: These type of DIY tasks may include small garden paths, small repairs around the house, or even small art projects; you do not need a big mixer. For these sorts of projects, you would only need a cement mixer with a capacity between 50 L and 150 L.

 

Medium Projects: At BS Power, we would classify medium projects as small residential construction, like patio or driveway construction. If you believe you will be doing work like this more often than smaller mixers may not work. To be safe, you may need to consider a mixer with a capacity between 170 L and 250 L.

 

Large Projects: Finally, your larger projects, which can be classified as construction. Within the large project category there is a lot of leeway, as it can include everything from building bridges to building foundations. For this level of work, you may need to consider purchasing multiple large cement mixers. The recommended capacity would be any drum over 300 L.

 

Portable vs Stationary

 

Another factor that can be partially related to the size of your project is whether you would need a portable or stationary mixer. Generally, portable machines are not as strong as stationary machines, because portable machines need to be designed to be lighter than their stationary counterparts in order to fit on a wheelbase or trailer that can effectively carry them. Therefore, a portable machine will generally be fitted with a smaller engine or motor, and the drum may be made from a lighter, less robust metal alloy.

 

So, when do you want a stationary or portable mixer?

 

Portable Cement Mixer: Portable machines are the perfect option if you are looking to purchase a machine for at-home or DIY work. The projects you will be working on will tend to be smaller and do not require a powerful, heavier machine. A portable machine for private use at home is also beneficial, as it is easier to move and stow away when not in use.

 

Stationary Cement Mixer: The only place where one would seriously consider a stationary machine is on a construction site. The building projects are extensive and require a constant supply of large batches of concrete. Not only do the machines need to have strong engines capable of mixing heavy loads, but the drums must also be robust enough to handle rougher aggregates. Construction sites will make use of more than one mixer at a time that can be placed in strategically important areas, meaning that the need for portability is not as high.

 

Power Source

 

Finally, when it comes to finding the right machine for you, another crucial factor we find important to highlight is the power source. When it comes to modern cement mixers, you only have two viable options at the moment: either an electric or gas-powered machine.

 

Although it is true that more sustainable models that use renewable energy sources like solar power are being designed currently, they are not yet at a mass production level like gas and electric machines. Sustainable models are therefore more expensive, and there are not many suppliers for them currently in the marketplace, making them a less viable alternative for now.

 

Therefore, if you are looking for a machine now, what would work better for you, gas or electric?

 

Electric Mixers: At BS Power, we would recommend electrical mixers for those who are not looking to tackle large projects soon. Electrical mixers have lots of advantages to them, as they are quieter, easier to maintain, and more environmentally friendly.

 

However, they do have some limitations, as they need a power outlet, making them less effective in remote areas or on construction sites that do not yet have power. The electric motor can also not generate the same power currently as gas engines, and therefore electric motors tend to be fitted to smaller machines.

 

Gas Mixers: With a robust gas- or diesel-fuelled engine, these mixers are generally valued for their strength. With a more powerful engine, these machines can handle larger batches of concrete at a time, and due to the fact that they do not need cords or attachments, they are more valued on larger construction sites.

 

However, it is important to note that they are often more expensive to maintain and operate. They also produce emissions, which can be harmful to both the environment and workers, and, of course, are known to be loud. Making them less viable in highly populated areas like suburban neighbourhoods.

 

 

BS Power And Your Next Mixer

 

In this article, we have gone over several factors that are important to consider when choosing the right cement mixer for you. From the different types of mixers on the market and what they do best to project size and power sources, these are all important factors to consider when buying a mixer.

 

But for the best range of cement mixers in South Africa, come visit us at BS Power.

 

Not only do we have mixers from the most trusted brands, but we also have a helpful sales staff that can walk you through every aspect of choosing the correct machine. So don’t hesitate to visit us on our website today and start the process of purchasing your very own cement mixer.