Mixing concrete by hand can be exhausting. For our fellow DIYers and builders who require large amounts of concrete for their projects, a concrete mixer is a must-have! We, at BS Power, have stocked up on a variety of concrete mixers, allowing you to have a quick and easy concrete-making process. Not only do you end up saving time, but you also save the effort of labour, as well as money.
Read further to learn more about the different types of concrete mixers, how to use a concrete mixer, as well as how to maintain and look after your concrete mixer.
Concrete Mixer Variety
Concrete mixers are extremely useful when getting involved in building projects. The machinery is used to mix cement, sand, gravel aggregates, water, and admixtures to create concrete. While many people may assume there is only one type of concrete mixer which may come in different sizes, there are several types of concrete mixers that are divided according to classification standards. Read further to explore the different types of concrete mixers.
According to several mixing principles. Concrete mixers can be divided into the self-falling type or the compulsory mixing type. Depending on whether they are movable, they can then be divided into the mobile type or the stationary type. Their nature of work will then divide them into intermittent type or continuous type. Below are four of the most common concrete mixers you will find:
Drum Concrete Mixer
A drum concrete mixer, also known as a self-falling concrete mixer, is often used independently to produce concrete and comes in various models. This category of concrete mixers can be divided into either electric-powered or diesel-powered. The diesel drum concrete mixers are purchased more often due to customers not having to purchase an external power supply. The mixer is directly powered by diesel, making it convenient to use. Diesel-powered concrete mixers are generally available in two models, one with a discharge of 350 litres of concrete and the other with a discharge of 500 litres of concrete.
Drum concrete mixers are considered to be low investment and have a lower maintenance cost compared to other concrete mixers, making them attractive to small businesses or DIYers that partake in medium or small-sized projects.
At BS Power, we have a variety of different drum concrete mixers to choose from. Our concrete mixers either have a Baumax engine or a Honda engine and have a variation of outputs ranging from 360l to 500l. Check out our website for more information on these concrete mixers or take a look at our concrete mixer guide.
Twin Shaft Concrete Mixer
A twin-shaft concrete mixer is more technical than a drum concrete mixer. It has two horizontal mixing shafts inside of its mixing cylinder. Its stirring blades are driven by the rotation of the mixing shafts to continuously mix the materials. This helps to mix the concrete ingredients more uniformly, producing better-quality concrete.
A twin-shaft mixer has a high mixing efficiency, wide application range, long service life, and a low failure rate. It can also be equipped with other equipment pieces to speed up the concrete-making process or form mass production of commercial concrete. For example, it can be paired with an aggregate batching machine, belt conveyor, block forming machine, etc. to form a brick machine production line to produce high-quality bricks. This concrete mixer is a compulsory machine for larger building projects.
Planetary Concrete Mixer (Vertical Shaft Mixer)
A vertical shift mixer is similar to a horizontal shaft, although its shape looks like a planet, so it is called a planetary mixer. This machine has a mixing arm and a mixing blade which are used to form movements of rotation. The mixing trajectory is complex, creating a more uniform and efficient mixing effect. The planetary concrete mixer is often used in industries that create concrete bridge frames, concrete walls, ceramics, glass, and much more.
The planetary mixer has the advantage of producing low noise, and no pollution, it has low energy consumption, a good mixing effect, and a compact structure. It is widely used by European and American organisations.
Similar to twin-shaft mixers, the planetary concrete mixer can work alone or can be paired with other equipment to form a production line. A planetary mixer is a good choice when high-quality concrete is needed to be produced.
Self-Loading Concrete Mixer
This concrete mixer is a newer type of mixing machine. It can complete four functions: loading, mixing, transporting, and unloading concrete. A self-loading concrete mixer can either be a self-loading drum mixer, which uses a drum mix, or a self-loading pan mixer, which uses a pan mixer.
Self-loading concrete mixers are widely used for large infrastructure projects, such as building roads, laying foundations, and building tunnels. The concrete mixing vehicle has a narrow body, a short wheelbase, and a small turning radius. This makes it perfectly suited to projects with construction sites that are hard to access. The machine is easy to operate and only requires one person to manage it, saving the manpower of 3 to 5 people.
Concrete Mixer: How To Use It
Most concrete mixers operate in the same way, however, you should always read the instruction manual to be sure that you are operating your concrete mixer safely and correctly. Read further to learn how to use a fuel-powered drum mixer in a few simple steps.
Follow Safety Guidelines: Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, closed-toe shoes, gloves, and safety goggles when operating a cement mixer. Keep your hands away from the mixer while it’s running and don’t put any tools inside to avoid breaking the machine and causing injuries.
Work in a clear outdoor area and set up barriers and signs to warn people that the concrete is wet. Don’t use a concrete fixer until the concrete is completely dry after being laid out.
Assemble the Mixer: before you begin using the concrete mixer, you will need to check its oil level using a dipstick. Then set up its stand at a surface level near a water supply and make sure all the assembled parts are firmly put together.
Connect the Drum: once the stand has been built, tip the mixer drum slightly and slot the stand into its swivel base. Secure the base using a d-clamp. The swivel base will then need unlocking from the mixer frame before raising the unit back into an upright position.
Power the Mix: once the machine is safely set up, turn the motor on to power the mixture and open the fuel tap. Don’t turn the machine on while it’s loaded with concrete mix.
Mix the Concrete: read the instructions with the cement mix and add the exact amount of cement and water while the concrete mixer is running. It is dangerous to overload a concrete mixer so create batches of concrete that fit the mixer capacity.
When creating your concrete and water mixture, make sure the mix isn’t too wet or dry. If it is not at the right consistency, your concrete won’t be easy to work with and may not dry correctly. Perfectly mixed concrete will easily move around the drum and won’t crumble or slosh as it mixes. You can add more concrete or water to achieve the perfect texture.
A good tip is to pay attention to how the concrete moves as the drum turns. If it reaches the top of the mixer before it falls, the cement mixture is too dry and water needs to be added. If it doesn’t reach the sides of the drum, it’s too wet and needs more concrete mixture to be added.
Note: a cement drum will continuously rotate until it is turned off, keeping the mixture constantly moving. This prevents the concrete mix from setting and drying. Leave the mixer on for as long as you need to keep the contents moist and manageable.
Pour the Concrete Carefully: depending on what type of mixer you are using, you will either pour the concrete directly onto the mould, or onto the surface you are concreting, otherwise you will pour it into a wheelbarrow to transport. Have two people ready to help you; one person will need to tip the concrete mixer, pouring the concrete out. Another person should hold the wheelbarrow and a third should assist with a shovel as the concrete is poured.
Work slowly to avoid making mistakes or losing control of the mixer or concrete.
Concrete Mixer: Cleaning And Maintaining
It is very important to clean your mixer after every use and maintain it. As the saying goes, if you look after something, it will last. The most important thing to do is to make sure the concrete does not dry in the mixer because it is almost impossible to remove and can damage the mixer. In the case that there is dry concrete in your mixer, add water and a bit of sand to the mixer and turn it on, letting it run for a few minutes. The sand and the water will clean the concrete from the sides, making it easier to clean the drum.
Turn the mixer off, empty the remaining mix, and run it again with clean water for a few minutes. Turn it off again, empty the drum, and then disconnect it from the power supply. If needed, you can use a stiff-bristled brush or pressure washer to clean any leftover cement from the drum.
For stubborn cement you can use a solution of 10 parts water and 1 part hydrochloric acid, however, extreme caution should be used when handling acidic solutions.
It is very important to consider safety when using and cleaning your concrete mixer. Always wear sturdy gloves, safety goggles, and waterproof clothing. Make sure the mixer is disconnected from its power source to prevent accidental startup.
Concrete Mixers From BS Commercial Power
Based in Cape Town, Western Cape, we at BS Power have satisfied many clients from all over South Africa and Southern Africa, including Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Botswana, and other nearby countries and cities. Founded in 2003, we have been operating for over 20 years and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
Currently, we stock six different high-quality concrete drum mixers, allowing you to find the mixer that is best suited to your needs. Besides our concrete and cement mixers, we also stock a variety of other equipment, including generators, brushcutters, plate compactors, and much more. Take a look at our website and explore our guides for more information about the equipment you’re looking for. If you want to learn more about our cement mixers, or any other equipment, please contact us. We would love to help you find the best machinery suited to your needs.