Concrete Mixer: Finding The Perfect Equipment

 

We’re breaking down everything you need to know about finding the right concrete mixer for your next construction project. We’ll also discuss a few of South Africa’s manufacturers and the most common types of mixers you’ll see onsite. Keep reading to find your ideal mixer!  

 

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Is It Worth Buying A Concrete Mixer? 

 

Owning a mixer can save time and money in the long run and provide greater control over the mixing process. You can mix concrete to your specific requirements, ensuring quality and consistency. Additionally, you can avoid the inconvenience of having to rent a mixer for every project, and you have the convenience of being able to mix concrete on demand. Overall, buying a concrete mixer can be a wise investment for those who regularly work with concrete. 

 

What Is A Concrete Mixer Used For? 

 

A mixer is a machine used to combine cement, water, and other materials to make concrete. The machine uses a rotating drum or paddles to mix the materials together to create a uniform and consistent mixture. Concrete mixers are commonly used in construction projects, like building foundations, walls, and pavements. They can also be used for DIY projects like creating walkways or patio areas. 

 

What Is The Best Type Of Concrete Mixer? 

 

Finding the right mixer will depend on your unique set of needs and the type of construction project you intend to use the mixer for. We’ve outlined some common mixer types below.  

 

Best Mixers 

 

You can brush on different types of cement mixers below. We’ve outlined some of the most common mixer types you’d find on South African construction sites.  

 

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Drum Mixer: A drum mixer is a portable mixer that uses a rotating drum to mix concrete. It is commonly used for small-scale construction projects and DIY projects. 

 

Pan Mixer: A pan mixer is a stationary mixer with a stationary pan that rotates to mix concrete. It is commonly used for mixing smaller quantities of concrete. 

 

Site Mixer: A site mixer is a large, towable mixer that is commonly used on construction sites for large-scale concrete projects. 

 

Mortar Mixer: A mortar mixer is a specialised mixer used for mixing mortar, which is a mixture of cement, sand, and water used for laying bricks and blocks. 

 

Truck Mixer: A truck mixer is a specialised mixer mounted on a truck that can transport large quantities of concrete to construction sites. It is commonly used for large-scale construction projects. 

 

How Many Bags Of Concrete Can You Put In A Mixer? 

 

Concrete mixers come in various sizes, ranging from small, portable mixers that can hold one bag of concrete, to large, stationary mixers that can hold several bags of concrete. As a general rule, a small portable mixer can typically hold one to two bags of concrete, while a larger mixer can hold four to six bags or more. 

 

How Long Can Concrete Stay In A Concrete Mixer? 

 

Once the concrete has been mixed, it should be discharged from the mixer as soon as possible to avoid the concrete setting inside the mixer. In general, it’s recommended to remove the concrete within 60 to 90 minutes of mixing. However, this time can be shorter in hot and dry weather conditions and longer in cooler temperatures. 

 

Small Concrete Mixer Price 

 

Small concrete mixers in South Africa typically have a drum capacity of around 120 to 360 litres and can mix 1 to 2 bags of concrete at a time. The price of these smaller mixers can vary depending on several factors, like the brand, model, capacity, and features. At BS Power, you can expect to pay about R20,000 for a 360 litre drum mixer.  

 

These types of mixers are commonly used for small to medium-scale construction projects or for mixing small batches of concrete at home or on DIY projects. Small concrete mixers are usually portable and can be powered by electricity, gasoline, or diesel. They are often made of steel or polyethene and can have either a drum or a barrel shape.  

 

Some small concrete mixers also come with added features like adjustable speed settings, tilt functions, and built-in wheels for easy manoeuvrability. Small concrete mixers can also be used for mixing concrete, mortar, stucco, and other construction materials. They are also useful for mixing and pouring concrete footings, building walls, and paving patios or driveways. Small mixers are also commonly used in agriculture like mixing animal feed and fertilisers. 

 

400l Concrete Mixer For Sale 

 

If you’re looking for high-quality concrete mixers for your next construction project, look no further than BS Power. Our range of mixers comes in various sizes with different engine types, providing you with the best construction equipment to use on-site.  

 

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400l Concrete Mixer with Baumax Engine 

 

This mixer with a Baumax engine is a highly reliable and durable machine designed for both owner-builders and rental companies. It’s designed to mix concrete and other construction materials with ease, making it an essential tool for small to medium-scale construction projects. 

 

One of the standout features of this mixer is its ring gear cover and enclosed engine cabin, which ensures operator safety during operation. The drum volume of this mixer is 400L, with a capacity of 320L when unmixed and 220L when mixed. This allows for efficient mixing of concrete and other materials. 

 

The drum speed of this mixer is 25 RPM, which ensures that the materials are mixed thoroughly in a short amount of time. The drum thickness is 3mm, making it sturdy enough to handle heavy-duty construction tasks. The mixing cycle of this mixer is 2.5 minutes, allowing for a quick and efficient mixing process. 

 

The discharge height of this mixer is 600mm, while the loading height is 1100mm. This makes it easy to load and unload materials into and out of the mixer. The track width of this mixer is 900mm in the standard configuration, and 1200mm when towed. This makes it easy to transport the mixer to different job sites. 

 

The dimensions of this mixer are 2025mm in length, 955mm in width, and 1460 mm in height. It weighs 215 kg, making it lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. The engine used in this mixer is a Baumax RX200 2:1, 6.5HP engine, which is highly reliable and powerful. 

 

An option available with this mixer is high-speed towable wheels on 145 x 10 pneumatic wheels. This allows for easy transport of the mixer to different job sites. 

 

400L Concrete Mixer with Honda Engine 

 

The 400L Mixer with Honda Engine is a high-quality and durable machine designed for construction projects. It is suitable for use by both owner-builders and rental companies. The mixer has a ring gear cover and an enclosed engine cabin to ensure the safety of the operator while in use. 

 

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 This mixer has a drum volume of 400L, with a capacity of 320L when unmixed and 220L when mixed. It has a Honda GP160 5.5 HP engine, which is powerful and reliable. This engine ensures that the mixer can handle heavy-duty construction tasks with ease. 

 

The drum speed of this mixer is 25 RPM, which allows for quick and efficient mixing of materials. The drum thickness is 3mm, ensuring that it is sturdy enough to handle heavy-duty construction tasks. The mixing cycle of this mixer is 2.5 minutes, which allows for a quick and efficient mixing process. 

 

The discharge height of this mixer is 600mm, while the loading height is 1100mm. This makes it easy to load and unload materials into and out of the mixer. The track width of this mixer is 900mm in the standard configuration, and 1200mm when towed. This makes it easy to transport the mixer to different job sites. 

 

The dimensions of this mixer are 2025mm in length, 955mm in width, and 1460 mm in height. It weighs 215 kg, making it lightweight and easy to manoeuvre. An option available with this mixer is high-speed towable wheels on 145 x 10 pneumatic wheels. This allows for easy transport of the mixer to different job sites. 

 

Concrete Mixer Manufacturers In South Africa 

 

There are several mixer manufacturers in South Africa that offer a wide range of products. Some of the popular manufacturers include: 

 

Winget – Winget is a supplier of concrete mixers in South Africa, offering a wide range of products including hand-fed mixers, site dumpers, and mechanical-fed mixers. 

 

Turner Morris – Turner Morris manufactures mobile and static mixers, site dumpers, and concrete saws. 

 

Baumax – Baumax is a supplier of mixers and other construction equipment offering hand-fed and mechanical-fed mixers, site dumpers, and concrete saws. 

 

Carmix South Africa – Carmix South Africa is a manufacturer of self-loading concrete mixers that are designed to offer flexibility, productivity, and reliability on construction sites. 

 

Silla – Silla manufactures mobile and static mixers, site dumpers, and concrete saws. 

 

These are just a few of the many manufacturers of concrete mixers in South Africa. Each manufacturer offers different types of mixers with various features and specifications to meet the needs of different customers. It is important to research and compare different manufacturers to find the best product for your specific needs. 

 

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500l Concrete Mixer For Sale 

 

BS Power also has 500l mixers for sale if you’re on the lookout for larger mixers to use on your construction site. You can take a look at our Baumax engine 500l mixer below for more details on the equipment.  

 

500l Concrete Mixer With Baumax Engine 

 

The 500L Mixer with Baumax Engine is a reliable and powerful machine ideal for contractors and rental companies. This mixer has a robust construction made from channel iron and folded metal, ensuring durability and longevity. It comes with a ring gear cover and an enclosed engine cabin to ensure the operator’s safety. 

 

The mixer has a 500L total volume, with an unmixed capacity of 420L and a mixed capacity of 280L. Its drum rotates at a speed of 24rpm, with a drum thickness of 3mm. The machine weighs 270 kg without an engine and has solid rubber wheels with bearings for easy transportation. Its dimensions are 2155mm X 1045mm X 1550mm. 

 

The engine is a Baumax RX200 2:1, 6.5HP, which is reliable and efficient in powering the mixer. This engine is designed to withstand heavy loads, providing enough power to handle different types of materials. The engine has a fuel-efficient design, which helps to reduce operational costs while ensuring that the mixer operates at maximum efficiency. 

 

The Baumax BS500 500L Mixer is easy to operate, and its maintenance is minimal. It comes with an ultra-durable 3 mm drum bottom, which helps to extend its lifespan. The mixer is perfect for mixing concrete, cement, and other construction materials in bulk. It’s capable of handling large volumes of materials, making it ideal for use in large construction projects. 

 

This machine is designed and manufactured by Baumax, a reputable manufacturer of high-quality construction equipment in South Africa. Baumax is known for its commitment to quality and innovation, ensuring that all their machines are of the highest quality standards. The Baumax 500L Mixer is no exception and is built to provide reliable and efficient service for many years. 

 

Concrete Mixer Guide 

 

If you want to buy concrete mixers then you have certainly come to the right place. Here you can find out everything you need to know about concrete mixers, as well as how to mix concrete and what type of mixer you need for the job. Take a look below to continue with our concrete mixer guide. 

 

Choosing The Right Concrete Mixer 

 

Choosing the right mixer is crucial if you want to get the best result out of your project. If you do not choose the right mixer, then you may end up making things way more difficult for yourself and this is the last thing that you want. 

 

Concrete Mixer: Occasional Use 

 

If you are not a professional and you are only going to be using your mixer for a single project, then opt for an electric mixer that has a capacity of 120 litres. You can buy a mixer at 60L and this will probably be more than enough for you to mix the cement you need, but the price difference is hardly noticeable and the bigger capacity will mean that you can carry out much bigger projects in the future, should you choose to. 

 

Concrete Mixer: Frequent Use 

 

If you work across construction sites and you have access to an electrical supply, then there is a high chance that a 120L construction mixer will be enough. It will also be light enough if you want to transport it from one job to another. Depending on the scale of your project, it may be worth buying a mixer that has a drum capacity of either 160L or 190L. If you go too big, then you may find that the concrete dries before you are ready to use it, so do keep that in mind. 

 

Concrete Mixer: Intensive Use 

 

If you are a professional and you mix cement 5 days a week, then you may want to consider a cement mixer that has a capacity of 250L at a minimum. A petrol-powered mixer will mean that you don’t have to rely on electricity too. Concrete mixers like this will come with an engine. 

 

Components Of A Concrete Mixer 

 

Concrete mixers are used to mix aggregates with water and cement, to make concrete. A standard mixer will have a powered motor, whether it is electric or petrol. It will also have a tilting drum, or a rotating drum. Alongside this, you will have a crank which will have notches. This gives you the chance to rotate the drum into various positions, and it also helps you to dump the contents into a wheelbarrow. 

 

Of course, your choice of mixer will ultimately depend on the mixing volume that you plan on pouring and it will also depend on the power source that you have at the site. A less-important criterion when choosing your cement mixer is whether or not you want solid or pneumatic wheels. 

 

Mixing Volume For Your Concrete Mixers 

 

It’s very important that you pay attention to terminology here. The terms that you will probably hear the most include drum volume, and of course, mixing volume. There is a big difference between the two. The mixing capacity of a mixer is around 80% of the volume of the drum. If you had a 150-litre drum then this would produce around 120L of cement, or the total amount of two wheelbarrows per load. 

 

Bear in mind that if you mix too much cement at once, this will lower the homogeneity of the mix. If you underfill then this will cause the mixture to stick to the walls and it will also mean that you end up wasting a ton of time. 

 

How Many Cement Bags Do You Need For Your Concrete Mixer? 

 

Cement powder is normally available in 35kg bags. If you look at things from a practical standpoint then you need to think about the number of 35kg bags you will need for each batch. Cement mixers that have a total volume of 110 litres will take half a bag of cement for every mix you make. If you have a cement mixer that has a total volume of 140-180L then this will take a single bag. 

 

These numbers will vary depending on the total mix you are working with. The figures here are dependent on using screed concrete that has 350kg of cement, for every M3 of concrete. 

 

Types Of Mixers 

 

Electric mixers have some advantages over petrol mixers. They are cheaper, and they don’t require as much maintenance and you won’t need oil or petrol either. The only thing that you will need is an electrical outlet. They start up right away regardless of how hot or cold it is outside, and you won’t need to worry about handling them. 

 

A lot of electric mixers run on a 220V single-phase of electricity. It’s also possible for you to get miniature concrete mixers that are easy to transport. The drums for these are very small and they are best suited to smaller or even indoor jobs. 

 

Petrol-Powered Mixers 

 

In some instances, the advantages of having a petrol mixer can be incontestable. They can be used anywhere and they do not require any close power source. 1-7HP petrol mixers are able to produce much bigger batches and they are often used outdoors. 

 

They are also used in residential construction too. They have pneumatic wheels and this means that they can be towed on the road with ease. You won’t have to have a trailer either. The performance makes up for the weight and the amount of atmospheric pollution. 

 

Features 

 

There are so many features to a mixer. If you want to find out more about them, then take a look below to find out everything you could ever need to know about choosing a mixer and what each feature means.

Gear and Belt Drive 

 

The engine will transmit movement to the drum by a ring gear. This is attached to the drum and it is connected to a pinion. Some concrete mixers have a belt drive and this tends to be much quieter. It also requires way less maintenance or greasing. These can be more expensive however, so try and keep this in mind as much as you can. 

 

Mixer Blades 

 

It’s important to take into account the mixing paddles for the drums. The more paddles you have, the more uniform the mix will be overall. If you can, try and keep this in consideration when you do shop for a cement mixer as it could make all the difference. 

 

Concrete Mixer Frame 

 

If you choose a concrete mixer that has a sturdy frame, then this will minimise the chances of the concrete mixer tipping over. This is especially the case if you are concerned about unstable or wet ground. 

 

Crank Wheels 

 

You can choose to have either round or square crank wheels. This choice won’t make a huge difference, but a lot of people prefer round ones. If you are not quite sure which wheels you need then try and opt for round ones. When you do, you will soon find that it is super easy for you to wheel your concrete mixer from one location to another without too much effort. 

 

Cleaning Your Concrete Mixer 

 

Over time, you may find that you get hardened mixer residue on the walls of your drum. When the cement has hardened, you will need to use a hammer to try and dislodge it all. 

 

Choosing The Right Wheelbarrow 

 

A cement mixer and a wheelbarrow really will go hand in hand. Wheelbarrows tend to have a volume of between 90 and 100 litres. Unless you have a very good level of balance, you will only be able to transport 70 litres at a time. This means that you will need two wheelbarrows for every batch of 150-litre cement you have. In any instance, you have to make sure that you are able to fit your wheelbarrow under the drum of your cement mixer when it is in the right position. 

 

It’s far better to be safe than sorry in this instance, so take your time when choosing your wheelbarrow and also make sure that you make all the effort to really make the best decision. Of course, if you are having a hard time choosing the right mixer then you may want to talk to your building provider. When you do, they can then advise you on the types of mixers that they have available and the practicality of them. 

 

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If you are only doing a very small job around the house and you know that you don’t need to buy a mixer then renting one is also an option. The main issue with this is that it works out way more expensive and if you need to rent one again for another household project then you may need to buy one instead. This will really pay off and you may even find that you are able to save way more money in the future.Â