Unless special modifications are made, concrete mixers don’t do much more than that: mix concrete. But that’s okay, in fact, it’s great. Because the uncomplicated design of these robust machines is bent on performing that single task with incredible efficiency, supplying your work site with a steady stream of high-quality concrete. This article takes a deeper look into simple, sturdy, and reliable tools that you simply cannot do without, making it clear that BS Power mixers clearly fit into that vaunted category.

 

This article is brought to you by BS Power, a trusted South African supplier of top-notch power tools and construction equipment.

 

What Exactly Are Concrete Mixers?

 

Concrete mixers are far from being crazy or complex devices. Far from rocket science, they are simple but powerful tools that are designed expressly for mixing concrete. To do so, these use a round steel drum of sorts, wherein the ingredients are thrown, rotated and mixed. This drum is set in a sturdy frame, made to be resistant to forces of both external and internal origin. This process of mixing is powered by a motor, which comes in a range of horsepower and types.

 

However, each concrete mixer’s motor needs to be potent enough to reliably move the heavy drum. Rounding out the design are a few extra features, like wheels for mobility, added chutes for easy discharge or a hopper for easy feeding.

 

These robust machines are most often seen on construction sites, where they are used to supply the site with a steady stream of high-quality, uniformly mixed concrete. They’re an essential, if unglamorous, tool that helps to quite literally build the foundations of our society across homes, workplaces, roads, infrastructure and more.

 

The concept of something being a ‘Good Old Reliable’ refers to that subject being a straightforward, understood, dependable and highly effective solution to a range of problems. Usually referring to an object like a tool, it is exemplified by an old-fashioned design that still works wonders to this day, being a fantastic backbone of an arsenal.

 

In this world and its modern market, we are introduced every day to countless assorted products. Each is competing with the other, looking for new ways to add flashy add-ons that dazzle and intrigue potential customers, promising novel benefits, and prestige. The construction and power tool industry is too rife with products such as this. Today, you can buy drills with smart computer interfaces and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to access specs on your smartphone. While impressive, these benefits often do not outweigh their cost.

 

On the other hand, there are incredibly fundamental tools that operate by the most basic principles that still work wonders on the job site. Many of these use simple petrol motors that are operated entirely by hand with no power source needed. Yet they are still a tried-and-true part of any professional contractor’s array, prized for both their affordability and effectiveness.

 

What Makes A Concrete Mixer Reliable?

 

A ‘Good Old Reliable’ concrete mixer is the sort of no-nonsense device that any professional contractor would want to aid them on the job site. It is tough and durable, capable of withstanding long work hours in challenging job conditions, as are often found in South Africa. Its engine is robust and reliable, operating with significant power without letting up under almost any circumstance. It is versatile and can help you repeatedly, even if you’re the sort of contractor who takes jobs of all sorts. From the smallest home repairs to the biggest infrastructure projects, it’s more than likely that this mixer will be able to help in at least some way. Finally, it’s not a challenge to use, with easy and intuitive operation and maintenance routines.

 

BS Power is well versed with the South African construction landscape and understands that reliable mixers like this are still highly prized, even when more high-tech options exist on the market. Here in South Africa, we often can’t rely on huge budgets or dedicated support to buy and maintain very high-tech equipment, especially not if we’re going to be facing the tough outdoor conditions of the many remote work sites so common in our nation. A simple, trustworthy mixer is all you need at the end of the day.

 

The Fundamental: Build Quality

 

Build quality is where it all starts when it comes to concrete mixers. A powerful high-torque engine or brand-new feeding system is of little use to you or anyone if the individual components or entire frame of the concrete mixer is going to crumble at any given time. And trust us, the South African work site will try to get you to that point.

 

Here in South Africa, contractors face long hours on remote work sites where resources are limited but trouble isn’t. It’s either hot or freezing, it’s either bone dry or pouring rain, it’s either fine irritating dust, or it’s deep inescapable mud. Anyone or anything that wants to survive the South African construction industry has got to be tough.

 

That’s why BS Power supplies the local market with mixers of outstanding build quality. From the materials used to the design itself, these are machines made to last. They’ll put up with an incredible amount of strain, no matter if that comes from an external source or from the power of the mixer’s own internal motor and rotation.

 

The Capacity: Getting The Size Right

 

Concrete mixers come in all shapes and sizes; each made for different scale projects. The capacity of a concrete mixer mostly hinges on the exact size of its drum, the component responsible for storing and mixing the concrete. You can get a small electric mixer with a capacity of 60 to 120 litres, suitable for personal projects or infrequent use by a professional contractor. On the other hand, you get 500+ litre monsters made for large-scale applications, like an infrastructure project.

 

If you’re truly looking for your reliable tool, you’re going to want to aim straight for the middle mark. Most contractors working in South Africa consider a 360 to 400 litre concrete mixer to be the sweet spot in terms of versatility, giving you the chance to excel at medium-scale projects that are the bread and butter for many professionals. With this, you’ll have a dependable and widely applicable tool at hand, bound to quickly pay back your purchase.

 

Do note that these measurements do not refer to the total wet output of concrete itself. For example, the 400L drum has an unmixed capacity of 320L and a wet concrete output of 220L. Account for this during your browsing and purchase.

 

 

The Power: Motor Horsepower And Type

 

Power is a front-and-centre consideration for many when purchasing concrete mixers, and for particularly good reason. A solid steel drum full of cement powder, gravel, sand, and water is not light. To keep it spinning for hours day after day takes some serious work from a motor. To receive a consistent stream of concrete, you’re going to need a powerful motor indeed.

 

In South Africa, however, there’s yet another consideration: access to electricity. Due to plentiful remote sites, subpar electrical infrastructure, and occasional load shedding, those who rely on consistent access to electricity are playing a dangerous game indeed. As a serious contractor, you cannot find yourself with a dependency on the local power grid.

 

Fortunately, the most powerful motors found in concrete mixers are petrol motors, which operate with no dependence on electricity at all. BS Power has a generous array of roaring petrol-powered mixers for you to choose from. You’ll find them an exceptionally reliable choice for South Africa’s unique landscape, allowing you to tackle even the most remote work positions.

 

The Add-On: Additional Attachments

 

As we’ve made it noticeably clear, there’s extraordinarily little need to get fancy when it comes to concrete mixers. The bells, whistles, dials and monitors are going to make too great a difference when it comes to work of your average South African contractor, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t add-ons available that are going to help make your life easier and your mixer more reliable.

 

There are bag splitters that are mounted on the concrete mixer to safely split bags as they’re poured. There are drum lids and covers that keep your mixture moist, prevent splashes, and reduce the chance of any tools, limbs, or attached labourers from getting pulled in. There are wheel kits and stands that allow you to affix mobility-enhancing features to your mixer, allowing for easy movement around the construction site.

 

 

Conclusion

 

‘Good Old Reliable’ is any kind of tool that you trust. It’s not fancy or particularly complicated, but it’s versatile in its straightforwardness and reliable in its quality. It’s not the only tool in your arsenal, but it’s one that you can consistently rely upon. BS Power mixers, across every model, strive to be just that.

 

We offer you a range of mixers that include great generalist options, hitting the perfect sweet spot for a variety of mid-range jobs. They’re all sturdily built to withstand South African work sites and come supported by BS Power after-sales support. They’re there to make your life much easier, giving you peace of mind that you’re going to have a steady and strong supply of top-quality concrete at every work site.