Would you not agree that concrete mixers have made day-to-day construction so much easier? One of the best parts about mixers is that they are extremely reliable. Furthermore, mixers help save a lot of time by speeding up the construction process by offering easy handling and class mobility at the same time.

 

However, if you are not too familiar with concrete mixers and would like to learn more about how they can be utilised safely at construction sites then keep reading this article for, not only safety tips, but maintenance tips as well!

 

Mixers Make Things Easier

 

Concrete mixers are devices that are used to combine sand or gravel, water, and cement homogeneously so that they can form concrete. Mixers amalgamate the concrete ingredients quickly in comparison to the traditional methods for manually mixing concrete.

 

Concrete mixers comprise a revolving drum that ensures all the components of concrete mix together. If small concrete volumes are needed, then portable concrete mixers are required to get the work done on construction sites with ease. Concrete mixers help to make sure that the mix achieves the same thickness throughout and releases the concrete mix without affecting the quality of the concrete.

 

 

Construction Site Safety Tips

 

Even though you always need to be careful when operating any type of equipment on a construction site, there are strict guidelines people have to follow when specifically working with concrete mixers specifically. The following are some recommended guidelines to follow while using concrete mixers:

 

 

1. You should always first test your mixer before using it. This is done by first running it empty before use. Do frequent checks on the bolts and nuts of the concrete mixer to make sure that they are all tightened well.
2. Operators and workers should keep their clothes, tools, and hands far away from the mixer while it is running.
3. It is important that a mixer is never left unattended. You must keep the mixer in good condition as damaged or loose parts can result in an accident.
4. Be careful of overloading concrete mixers even if you want to produce more in less time. This can damage the mixer.
5. If you are using an electrically-operated mixer, make sure the wire connecting the mixer is in good condition, including the circuit breaker, which should always be maintained well. The earthing of electrical motors should be done following the rules and specifications given by the engineer on site.
6. If the concrete mixer is operated using a diesel-based engine, be careful of the exhaust gasses as they can cause serious diseases if inhaled over a long period. This is why the smoke needs to be directed away from concrete and operator workers.
7. All moving parts and gears of concrete mixtures should be guarded well. No worker or passersby should be allowed to go near the hopper of the concrete machine.
8. Before you service, install any accessories or attachments, or make any adjustments to the mixer, make sure to disconnect the power.
9. It is common for accidents to occur while cleaning mixing drums. Therefore, extra care should be taken while individuals are cleaning the drum.
10. Regular inspection should be done on clutches and wire ropes that operate the drum.
11. If you are using concrete mixers that are operated electronically, make sure to always check which direction the cylinder/drum is rotating with regards to the arrow mark shown on the cylinder/drum. At times, the time interval of the rotation or the direction of rotation changes because of faulty cable connections to the electrical motor that often cause issues like poor mixing of the concrete ingredients, resulting in poorly formed concrete.
12. Make sure to keep the space around the mixer clean and dry so that no one slips or trips.
13. Ensure that all tools and electrical outlets are properly grounded and you are utilising proper lighting for the job of rotating or moving parts.
14. Keep concrete mixers away from children’s reach as any mishandling could lead to accidents and serious injuries.
15. Lastly, remember to switch off the motors and wait to make sure all the parts have stopped moving before you clean, maintain, or service them.

 

 

How To Maintain Concrete Mixers

 

The quality of concrete and its constitution is just as important as proper concrete mixing. To make sure that the quality and strength of all the ingredients in the mix are good, you are required to combine the ingredients thoroughly.

 

For a homogeneous mass of uniform-looking concrete, make sure to carry out a proper mixing process. Uniform mixing of the concrete will provide you with the good colour and consistency that you want and, as a result, you will have concrete that facilitates compaction and is workable.

 

Say goodbye to the days of mixing concrete manually. Nowadays all concrete mixing is done by machines. Regardless of whether or not your concrete plant is of a large scale or small scale, these machines have been able to take over all areas of concrete mixing, thus providing efficient mixture and good consistency. On top of it all, they can help you cut down on time consumption.

 

 

Infrastructural development is increasing within the concrete industry and it is only getting bigger and bigger. For this reason, different types of mixing machines have been introduced into the market. For large- and small-scale sectors there is a wide variety of types of concrete mixing tools and machines to help your construction projects run smoothly.

 

Regardless of the sector, the most important priority should be given to the continuous mixing process. You should run the mixing throughout the entire concreting process until you are happy with the results. This is why, in the industry, we say that the concreting process is ongoing. If you want to achieve this, then you must maintain all concrete mixers.

 

But before any operations begin, it is also very important that the operator reads through the working and maintenance manual. You can choose how you would like to carry out the maintenance process – either daily, weekly, or monthly. However, bar from conducting timely checks, here are a few other useful steps to follow in terms of maintaining your mixer effectively:

 

1. Always situated the mixer on a levelled platform when at the construction site – this platform needs to be strong enough to house the machine.
2. Make sure to clean the blades of the mixing operation properly after each use.
3. Place the skip on sandbag cushions so that it is properly supported and remember to operate it carefully.
4. Make sure to cover the drum or place it in a tilted position, to ensure that it avoids getting damaged from rainwater or debris when not in use.

 

 

Daily Supervision Procedures:

 

The first step to follow before starting your routine mixing is to check the machine for any build-up or waste concrete on the floor or walls of the mixer.

 

1. When production goes into an extended break, put on a high-pressure wash.
2. When the day is done, clean the concrete mixer with a high-pressure washer.
3. Also remember to check and clean the discharge chute.

 

Procedures For Weekly Supervision:

 

1. Make sure that the clearance between the mix blades and the floor of the mixer is approximately 3mm.
2. Inspect the wall tiles and blades of the floor before you start the device and make adjustments accordingly.
3. After every adjustment, check and take care of the bolt tightness.
4. It is recommended to check the oil level of the hydraulic before every use to make sure there are no leakages.
5. At proper time intervals, remember to grease the gearbox.
6. Casting walls and blow holes should be inspected for any damage every time.
7. To avoid concrete from building within the muzzle, spray the heads of the high-pressure washer so that it can be cleaned with a wire brush.

 

Monthly Supervision Procedures:

 

1. Check if there are any leakages and if so, replace the door seal.
2. Use a dipstick to inspect the oil level, make sure that it is not overfilled.
3. To avoid emulsification, as well as contamination, you must change the gearbox oils.

 

 

About BS Power

 

Not only do we provide the best products and solutions to all our clients around South Africa, but we also love providing our clients with the best safety and guidelines when it comes to using mixers. This makes sure that all clients receive, not only the best construction equipment and tools, but are also equipped with the knowledge of maintaining and caring for their equipment. So, for the best quality equipment and quality advice, head on over to the BS Power online catalogue today!