Cement mixers have not always been as advanced as they are today. Before these mixers were invented people had to mix cement by hand, which was a health risk. Eventually, new, innovative mixers developed. They have developed so much that they can now load and unload cement automatically.
These days, people no longer need to manually mix cement. There are many different mixers available for specific construction projects. B&S Commercial Power has various cement mixers available for different construction needs.
Exploring The Evolution Of Cement Mixers
Cement mixers were invented in the early 1900s and have changed significantly over the years. These mixers developed from hand-cranked models to self-loading models. This evolution has impacted the productivity and efficiency of the construction industry.
The earliest known mixers were hand-cranked and manual labour was still necessary to mix the cement. Unfortunately, these mixers still required intense manual labour and were rather time-consuming.
This process of mixing cement was slow and tedious. Despite this, this mixing process worked well for small-scale projects and was used for residential construction during the early 20th century.
The first motorised mixer was developed during the 1930s. These mixers were run by diesel or gasoline engines. They also had rotating drums to mix the cement more efficiently. These mixers eliminated the need for mixing cement manually.
These motorised cement mixers were suitable for large construction projects, for example, roads, commercial buildings, and bridges. With the continued advancements in technology, in the 1960s the self-loading cement mixer was introduced.
These mixers had a built-in loading mechanism, which eliminated the need for manual labourers to load each mixer with cement, aggregate, and water. These mixers made it possible for large construction projects to finish quickly.
Furthermore, modern mixers are even more advanced than previous mixers, which have features which include GPS tracking, and computerised controls, and some are even automated.
These features have made it possible to mix concrete precisely, increasing safety and productivity. Another advantage of these mixers is that they only need to be operated by one person. This will help businesses cut costs and save time.
The Role Of Cement Mixers In Modern Construction
These mixers have been a major player in modern construction for decades. These flexible machines have completely changed the building process. These machines have created a faster, more efficient, and safer construction process.
One of the main benefits of mixers is their efficiency. Manually mixing concrete in wheelbarrows is no longer necessary and concrete can now be produced in larger quantities. As mentioned, this will save time and ensure consistent concrete mixing.
These mixtures have also made the transport and pouring of concrete easier, which is beneficial for large construction projects. These machines are geared with mixing drums which rotate to mix water, aggregate and cement.
These drums can then be tilted to pour out the fresh concrete. The process of producing concrete has become smooth and efficient. Furthermore, safety is extremely important in the construction industry.
Manually mixing as well as transporting concrete is physically demanding and can be harmful to the people who do this work. These mixers take this demanding process out of the picture completely.
These mixers reduce the risk of injury and allow employees to focus on more important tasks. Additionally, some new mixers have amazing features that increase safety even more. For example, some mixing drums have sensors that will detect when the drum is full.
This allows employees to place the raw materials in the drums without accidentally overfilling them. Moreover, the need for infrastructure and housing has increased which has resulted in the construction industry significantly expanding.
Therefore, the need for an increase in safe and efficient building methods is so important. These machines help meet these needs and they are likely to continue to develop even more in the future.
The Role Of Cement Mixers In Small Scale Projects
The importance of these mixers is not only reserved for large-scale construction projects. They also make a significant difference in small-scale projects, which include garden projects, home renovations, and small commercial developments.
Regarding home renovations, these mixers change the game. For example, if you are planning on building a patio or a concrete walkway, these mixers will help make the process easier and quicker.
Having a mixer on hand for home renovations can make the process of making concrete a lot more enjoyable. You will not have to mix concrete by hand and your home projects will not be as messy when using a mixer.
This will give you the time to focus on larger parts of your home renovation, such as laying the concrete and preparing the ground. Mixers are perfect for people who enjoy doing concrete-related projects themselves.
Having one of these mixers on hand reduces the need for manual labour and will ensure that the cement you use is mixed correctly. This will give the cement better consistency and strength.
These mixers also play a role in small commercial developments, which include building small businesses or commercial property. When it comes to small projects it is vital to save as much money and time as possible, with these mixers this can be achieved.
These mixers produce excellent-quality cement which is important for projects that need solid foundations and slabs. When it comes to manually mixing cement there are a lot of variations that can be made as well as errors.
However, with a cement mixer, this is not something that you need to be concerned about. Having consistently mixed cement every time is crucial to a successful project. If you are looking for a cement mixer that will work well for your small-scale projects, contact B&S Commercial Power.
At B&S Commercial Power we are passionate about helping our clients find the right cement mixer for their needs. We not only look at the project you will need the mixer for but also the location of the project to make sure that we find the perfect mixer for you.
Cement Mixers Maintenance: Best Practices And Cost-Saving Tips
Mixers are important tools in the construction industry. Therefore, thorough maintenance is vital to ensure they have a long lifespan and function optimally. Regular maintenance may help reduce costs by preventing unnecessary repairs.
Continue reading to find out some of the best practices and cost-saving tips for maintaining these mixers. An important aspect of mixer maintenance is to clean them regularly. These machines accumulate dirt easily, which will cause mechanical issues.
Unfortunately, these machines do not have a self-cleaning feature, so it is important to clean the outside and inside of the mixing drums. This cleaning process will include removing any concrete build-up and debris that may have gotten stuck in the drum.
The easiest way to do this is to create a cleaning schedule. This will help you keep track of when the mixers need to be cleaned. This will also ensure that your mixers are always functioning at their best.
In addition to regular cleaning, regular oil changes are also essential to the maintenance of these machines. Oil is the driving force of any machine and changing the oil regularly may help prevent unnecessary repairs and increase the lifespan of the mixers.
Along with changing the oil, you will also need to check as well as change the oil filters. The oil levels must be checked, and oil should be added whenever necessary. A good tip to follow is to change the oil at least once a year or every 100 hours.
Another helpful and cost-saving tip to follow is to regularly check the mixer’s tyres for wear and tear, including checking the tyre pressure and looking for any signs of uneven wear or damage.
Replacing damaged tyres may save on fuel costs as well as improve the performance of the mixer. Creating a service and maintenance schedule can be helpful in terms of identifying problems early before they become serious issues.
Following a regular maintenance schedule will help reduce unnecessary costs and prolong the lifespan of your mixers. Some manufacturers provide their clients with maintenance schedules, and it is highly recommended that you stick to the schedule.
Electrical Vs Diesel Mixers
Cement mixers are vital tools in the construction industry. Two main types of mixers are used, which include electrical and diesel mixers. Both mixers serve the same purpose but there are a few things to keep in mind.
They have a few differences that can make one better for certain projects or construction sites. One of the biggest differences between these two mixers may seem obvious but it is the power sources they use.
Electrical mixers are powered by electricity, usually through a cord to a power point. The downfall of this type of mixer is that it can only be used on construction sites that have electricity.
However, diesel mixers are powered by diesel engines, which means that these mixers are perfect for remote projects where electricity is not available. Diesel mixers are more versatile and suitable for various construction projects. This mixer is perfect for rural or off-grid sites.
Another important difference between these mixers is the level of noise they produce. Electric mixers are usually quieter compared to diesel mixers. The noise produced by the diesel engine can be very loud, which can be a problem if the site is in a residential area.
Electric mixers are also better for the environment compared to diesel mixers. Diesel mixers produce carbon monoxide, which is harmful to the environment. Furthermore, diesel mixers can also be more expensive to operate.
The cost of the diesel mixer including the price of diesel fuel will add up quickly. Overall, electric mixers are more affordable to purchase, and they are not as expensive to operate, since all they need is electricity to function.
In addition, when it comes to maintenance, electric mixers are also easier to maintain compared to diesel mixers. The maintenance that is needed for electric mixers is often only basic cleaning and regular oil changes.
On the other hand, diesel mixers need frequent maintenance, which includes filter and oil changes, and engine check-ups. From all this information, it may seem like an easy choice between electric and diesel mixers.
However, this choice will have to depend on the construction job requirements as well as where the site is located. If the site is located in a remote area or an area with no electricity, then a diesel mixer is perfect.
Moreover, if cost and noise levels are a concern, and there is a reliable power source near the construction site then electric mixers are the way to go. Unfortunately, cutting costs is not always a viable option. All the requirements for the job have to be taken into consideration.