Concrete is the foundation of modern construction, excuse the pun. From the world’s construction wonders such as towering skyscrapers and behemoth-sized bridges to residential homes and the roads we use on a daily basis, concrete is perhaps the most widely used materials on the planet. However, as the world changes, so does the demand for high-quality, cost-effective, and sustainable construction methods, and thus, the methods of producing quality concrete are evolving.
It is at this precipice, where automation and smart technology take centre stage. Today, modern concrete mixers are no longer simply all about manually combining cement, water, and aggregates. Thanks to the technology that has advanced modern automated systems are emerging that are able to more accurately mix ratios with precision, produce faster production times at quantity, provide better consistency across several batches of concrete, and are able to reduce overall wastage and labour costs.
All that being said, what does automation actually mean for the average-Joe contractor? Or the builder or home DIY enthusiast? Moreover, just how do automated systems compare to petrol concrete mixers?
Evolution: From Manual to Automated
The concrete mixer has gone through a significant evolution over the decades. In fact, the earliest form of the mixer was manual where labourers had to combine cement, sand, and aggregate using nothing but shovels and wooden troughs. Of course, this method was not only laborious and time consuming, but it resulted in inconsistent mixes, which led to structural weaknesses in the buildings and infrastructure they built.
Flash forward to the early 20th century and the introduction of the mechanical drum concrete mixer marked a turning point in the history of construction. These rudimentary versions of today’s mixers were the first to automate the process of mixing, which greatly reduced the manual labour needed, while also dramatically improving the efficiency of job sites. Of course, they still needed operators to oversee the mixing ratios and adjust the materials used as they might have needed.
As the years passed on, the technological advancements improved, and full automated batch concrete mixers burst onto the scene, which could measure and mix concrete with pinpoint precision. The introduction of these new systems significantly reduced the possibility of human error and waste, which made them indispensable for large-scale projects.
Flash forward even further to today, and the introduction of AI-powered concrete mixers have taken automation even further. These highly advanced and intelligent machines have the ability to monitor humidity, temperature, and the consistency of the raw materials used, in real-time, and can adjust the mixers accordingly. Moreover, some modern mixers even come with GPS tracking to optimize for the best delivery routes, making sure that every batch of fresh concrete gets to the job site without any delay.
Smart Technology Found in Modern Concrete Mixers
Automation in the production of concrete is not solely about saving precious time but also about bolstering precision, increasing efficiency, and sustainability. Thus, the introduction of smart tech has made today’s concrete mixers so much more reliable and adaptable to the many needs in construction.
Revolutionary technologies such as real-time monitoring can precisely track temperature, humidity, and material consistency, making sure that every batch of concrete mixed meets the required standards. The smart technology goes even further than that, in fact, certain concrete mixers are now equipped with integrated GPS-enabled systems that can optimise delivery routes, which reduces overall fuel consumption, and potential delays to the project.
For instance, Brannan Sand and Gravel, a construction enterprise based in Denver, Colorado, recently piloted TrimFleet, a GPS-integrated fleet management system that was developed by Trimble, on fifty of their concrete mixers and twenty of their hired trucks. The system gave operators the ability to real-time track every vehicle, and dynamically adjusted the routes based on traffic, to make sure their delivery was on time.
Then there is eco-conscious automation, which is growing in leaps and bounds, with several systems being able to reduce cement waste as well as add recycled materials into the mix. In fact, some advanced mixers now come with AI-driven dosing mechanisms that can measure ingredients precisely, which reduces excess and ensures proper sustainable practices. It’s these groundbreaking innovations that really contribute to a more sustainable construction industry, which still maintains the integrity and durability of the concrete structures built.
Why Are Traditional Mixers Still Needed?
Okay, regardless of all the modern advancements in automation, petrol-powered concrete mixers are still and will continue to be a necessary tool for many contractors and construction companies out there. Unlike automated mixing plants, petrol concrete mixers still have that unmatched mobility and flexibility that allow workers to mix concrete on a job site without the need for extensive infrastructure. Of course, this is specifically beneficial in more remote areas where transportation of pre-mixed concrete is costly and inefficient.
Moreover, traditional concrete mixers are also much more cost-effective, which makes them the ideal choice for small-to-medium contractors who honestly don’t need the high-tech automation that can be found in large batching plants.
Today, many small businesses and independent contractors naturally prefer the trusty traditional, petrol-powered mixers simply because they provide a level of control that automated solutions just can’t match. In fact, the ability to manually adjust mix consistency on a site ensures that a project can meet its specific requirements, while also reducing the risk of potentially costly errors and the need for doing work over.
Petrol concrete mixers are also known for their lauded durability and ability to operate in rugged conditions. Unlike electric concrete mixers, which obviously require a power source, petrol-powered mixers can be used anywhere, which of course makes them suitable for off-grid construction sites. It is this tried and tested versatility that has made them indispensable in the development of infrastructure, roadworks and even disaster relief, where access to electricity might be limited or even non-existent.
Traditional Concrete Mixers Available at BS Power
Here at BS Power, we are proud to offer a diverse range of concrete mixers to suit all the needs of our various customers. So, if you’re simply working a small home DIY project, putting in the hours on a mid-size or large-scale development, our selection is made up of only high-quality, durable mixers that will guarantee you top-tier performance and results on every job you undertake.
The Baumax 500L Petrol Concrete Mixer
The Baumax 500L petrol concrete mixer is an excellent choice if you’re a contractor handling projects that are larger in scale. This is a high-capacity mixer that has been engineered to handle bigger batches of concrete, which makes it ideal for infrastructure projects, high-rise construction, and large roadwork projects. It boasts a powerful petrol engine that guarantees uninterrupted operation, even in remote locations, where access to electricity is limited or impossible. It’s been designed for utmost reliability, has excellent drum rotation, efficient mixing output, and is easy to move.
The Baumax 400L Petrol Concrete Mixer
The Baumax 400L petrol concrete mixer has become a household name and staple among professional contractors and seamlessly blends efficiency and durability. It is a popular choice for medium-to-large projects and boasts a powerful engine with a notably well-designed mixing drum, guaranteeing consistency in its results. So, whether you’re working on residential foundations, commercial property, or even municipal projects, the Baumax 400L will always save you time and labour costs while always guaranteeing high-quality mixes.
BS Power’s Top Pick for Manual Mixing: The Baumax 120L Petrol Concrete Mixer
The Baumax 120L Petrol Concrete Mixer is our top pick for a versatile manual mixer. Not only is it excellent for use on small construction sites and home DIY projects, but it is also robust and powerful but also portable. It boasts a reliable petrol-powered engine and is more than capable of handling the toughest of conditions. It is the ideal mixer for contractors who need more flexibility from their mixer.
What’s Next for The Future of the Concrete Mixer?
You might be asking yourself at this point; but what’s next? Well, the future is bright and full of innovation and possibilities, and as tech continues to evolve, the future of concrete mixing is set to be shaped by efficiency, sustainability and automation. These modern, and future advancements won’t only streamline how we mix and pour concrete, but of course, they will also reduce potential human error, bolster precision, and greatly contribute to environmentally friendly construction practices.
Sustainability in Concrete Mixing
It’s no secret that sustainability is becoming more and more of a key focus in the industry. Future concrete mixers will introduce eco-friendly systems and practices that will help reduce our carbon emissions and also optimise the materials we use. This includes emerging technologies and solutions such as low-carbon concrete formulas, advanced water-recycling systems, and more.
The Rise of Robotic Construction Crews
Tech companies are developing AI-powered robots for use in many sectors, which includes construction. The rise of robotic mixers will no doubt revolutionise how concrete is mixed and pour on construction sites in the future. These advances promise construction practices that are more precise and produce higher quality concrete structures.
These AI-powered tools will be equipped with smart sensors and automated control systems, allowing them to adjust mixing rations in real time and always guarantee optimal consistency for various project requirements. This will also completely change the level of safety found on construction sites, while still notably speeding up project completion time, reduce labour costs and overall improve efficiency.
Completely Autonomous Concrete Plants
Once machine learning and predictive maintenance has been implemented into concrete plants, this will only further advance the industry as a whole, as it will dramatically reduce downtime and enhance productivity. These smart concrete plants will have real-time monitoring systems that are able to analyse temperature, humidity, and even material consistency, as well as automatically adjust settings to produce the perfect mix.
With AI-driven predictive maintenance, foremen will be able to predict potential equipment failures before they even happen. Saving money on potential expensive repairs.
Build Smarter with BS Power
Concrete mixing technologies have come a long way in the past decades, going from manual labour-intensive processes to fully automated and AI-powered systems that have the power to greatly increase efficiency, precision and of course sustainability. As the realm of automation continues to seep into and revolutionise the construction industry, contractors and builders need to stay ahead of the curve by investing in the high-performance concrete mixers of the future, that will streamline operations and vastly improve productivity.
For now, however, here at BS Power, we offer a wide range of concrete mixers that have been carefully curated and tailored to meet the needs of all professionals in the sector. So, whether you need a heavy-duty petrol-powered mixer for big projects or a smaller, more compact mixer for home DIY and smaller projects visit our website today to find the perfect fit.