Cement mixers can be incredibly handy when tackling difficult or arduous building tasks. Whether you’re working on a DIY project at home or as part of a team working in the construction industry, mixers help to save time and money as well as the need for excessive manual labour. Furthermore, cement mixers offer builders consistent and evenly mixed cement batches, which in turn leads to stronger and more structurally sound buildings and construction projects. With all the benefits provided by mixers, you may be excited to invest in one today.

 

Although the cement mixer is an extremely helpful tool for any construction project, it can be quite a costly piece of equipment. The investment is worth it in the long run, as the time and money you will save in both waste reduction and productivity will easily pay for the machine itself.

 

However, it is important to highlight that for this investment to be a financially responsible purchase, you need your mixer to function for as long as possible. In order for this to be achieved, your cement mixer requires regular maintenance, and when something goes wrong, it is essential to fix the problem quickly.

 

At BS Power, we understand that you will want to keep your mixer in good condition, which is why we have put together this guide. In this article, we will investigate maintenance tips while exploring some common issues your machine might run into as well as some easy fixes that can get it up and running again. So, if you are interested in purchasing a mixer for yourself or already have one and want to know how to keep it running well into the future, then this is the article for you.

 

 

Essential Maintenance Tips

 

When it comes to owning cement mixers, it is simply not enough to use them and store them until you need them again. Although this may be fine for the first few uses, if the mixer does not receive regular maintenance, the effectiveness of the machine will be worn down over time.

 

As any good retailer or manufacturer will tell you when buying a cement mixer, maintenance is key to extending the mixer’s lifespan. We at BS Power understand that while you may want to take good care of your machine, you may not be sure of the best maintenance practices. So here are three simple tips that can help you maintain your mixer and keep it in tip-top shape.

 

Clean Your Machine Regularly

 

When it comes to regular maintenance, the quintessential first step is to clean the cement mixer after every use. This step alone will extend the lifetime of your powered mixers tremendously. But why is it so important?

 

The main reason you will want to clean the machine regularly is due to the nature of the cement mixtures. When the machine is on and the drum is constantly rotating, the cement will remain in a liquid form. However, as soon as the drum stops rotating and the cement has time to settle, it will begin to harden. Once it is hardened, it becomes exponentially more difficult to clean and remove the cement from your mixer.

 

That is why most cement mixer manuals or retailers will tell you to simply clean the machine directly after use. First, get rid of any excess cement, and then use a high-pressure hose to clean the machine. If you do this just after a mix, the cement will still be in liquid form and can be easily washed out, leaving the cement mixer in a good, clean condition.

 

Wear And Tear

 

The next tip does not need to be followed as regularly as the first, but it is still an important part of cement mixer maintenance and should be performed regularly. Here, we will highlight the importance of checking your machine for wear and tear. How regularly you use the machine should inform you of how often to check up on your cement mixer. If it is used constantly (either daily or weekly), then it is more important to check it regularly, whereas if the machine is only used for light DIY work around the house, checking for wear and tear only needs to be done every now and again.

 

When checking your machine, there are a few key areas to investigate. These areas are more susceptible to wear and tear and therefore should be attended to more frequently. If you find an issue in the components below, it is best not to use the machine again until these areas are remedied, as further use could lead to further damage of the affected areas.

 

The first crucial area to check on your machine is the rotating drum; signs of wear and tear can include cracks or dents in the drum walls or even corrosion and rust as the machine deals with wet components regularly.

 

Secondly, make sure to check the paddles; these sit within the drum and work to make each batch of cement as even as possible. If these are damaged, they should be replaced. Finally, make sure that the drive belt is in good condition. This component is responsible for spinning the drum, and if it has worn out, your drum may not be able to reach the speeds necessary for a good-quality mix.

 

Gas Powered Engines And Electrical Motors

 

Finally, in this article, we also want to suggest that, in terms of maintenance, you will want to make sure that the powered elements of the cement mixer are also properly cared for and are kept in the best possible condition. Generally, cement mixers are either gas-powered (petrol or diesel) or rely on electric engines. Knowing what sort of mixer you have is critical for the following tip:

 

If you have an electric-powered mixer, then you should check up on and maintain the electrical components that make up the motor. This includes the on/off switch and the various wires and connectors to ensure that they are not frayed or corroded. If you want to take maintenance to the next level, you can even check the voltage output to make sure that it is consistent. A low voltage may indicate that there is something wrong with the motor.

 

If your machine has a gas engine rather than an electrical motor, there are also specific components that you will want to check up on. This includes the oil level; make sure that it is at the suggested level. Ensure that the air filter is clean and free of dirt, as this can block air intake and damage the engine. Also check the spark plugs, as corroded or damaged spark plugs will lead to the engine malfunctions. Luckily, spark plugs can be easily replaced.

 

Common Issues And Troubleshooting Advice

 

Now that you know how to take care of cement mixers through regular maintenance, we can turn our attention to some common issues you may come across when using your machine. It is important to note that even if you are taking good care of your machine, sometimes it may still break down – this can be due to a variety of distinct reasons. Sometimes it may even be a fault on the manufacturer’s side.

 

Whatever the case may be, understanding how to resolve simple issues quickly can lead to speedy repairs or preventing further damage. Also, if the following troubleshooting tips don’t help, at the very least you can more efficiently assess whether you need professional assistance or not.

 

Here are two common issues you may run into and a simple way to resolve each:

 

Failing To Start?

 

One of the most common issues many users may face occurs when they attempt to turn the cement mixer on and it fails to start. There are several reasons why cement mixers may not start, but generally, these issues are related to the power source of the machine.

 

With an electric motor, you will want to check that the plug is in good working condition and that it is plugged into a working socket that outputs the correct voltage for the machine. If there is faulty wiring or the wires have become corroded, this may also lead to the motor not starting. With gas engines, if the air filter is clogged up or other components like the spark plugs, fuel system, or carburettor are damaged, it can prevent the engine from running.

 

Troubleshoot: The solutions for a mixer that is failing to start tend to be quite simple. Generally, troubleshooting will require further investigation. It is recommended that you check the power source and ensure that all plugs are firmly secured. If it is an electric motor, make sure to check that the power cord has not been damaged in any way.

 

Remember that every cement mixer will also come with a user manual. Modern mixers will have displays that may already be able to indicate why the machine isn’t starting, and by reviewing error codes in the manual, you can more easily come to a solution.

 

Excessive Noise

 

It is true that older cement mixers make a lot of noise, especially when throwing aggregates like stone or rubble into the metal barrel. However, it is important to pay close attention to the general noise level of your machine. This is especially true for newer mixers that have a system built into them to reduce noise levels.

 

If there is excessive noise, it may be because something is wrong. Loud noises that happen at random intervals may be caused by a lack of lubrication on moving elements in the mixer, loose nuts or bolts that can cause rattling, or even worn-out bearings. So how should you remedy the situation?

 

Troubleshoot: The first and most important step is to pinpoint where the noise is coming from. It is recommended that if you are currently in the process of mixing cement, you clear out the drum and clean it, as this may help you locate the issue. After you have found the problem, the solution may be very simple.

 

If the noise is from loose screws or bolts, all you need to do is tighten them. Apply lubrication to moving parts as needed, or simply replace the worn-out bearings. All these solutions can be quick and easy fixes that stop the noise instantly. Furthermore, they contribute to the overall maintenance of your machine as well.

 

 

BS Power Takes Care Of You And Your Machines

 

At BS Power, we are passionate about the power tool market and are proud to supply a wide variety of premium-quality cement mixers, concrete mixers, and a host of other helpful tools. But we understand that we also have a responsibility to help you better maintain the equipment you purchase from us, and that is why we hope this article has provided some insight into caring for your machines.

 

If you are curious to learn more about what other services we offer, or how you can get your hands on some of our amazing products, don’t hesitate to call us or visit our website today.