Concrete mixers tips, tricks and answered questions!

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Whether you’re a DIY master, work in building, or own a construction company, you will definitely understand the importance, necessity and advantages of concrete mixers. Concrete mixers, like the name suggests, are used to mix batches of concrete, which is a massive step up from the historical method of mixing concrete using a bucket and a stick, and breaking your back in the laborious process. BS Power is your leading provider of concrete mixers in South Africa, and when you invest in one of these machines be sure to follow our top tips and tricks to ensure a seamless construction process.

 

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What concrete mixer is the best?

 

When it comes to choosing concrete mixers there are a few things you need to consider, the first being where you choose to purchase your concrete mixers from. When looking for a supplier or store that sells these machines, you need to make sure that you are looking at a retailer that specialises in concrete mixers and that has experience with the machines, how they operate, and any services required for each machine. You also want to make sure that the retailer will be open and honest with you, and that they will advise you on which machines are best suited for your individualised needs, and aren’t just pushing a product to make a sale.

 

Furthermore, you want to make sure that the place you’re buying the machines from actually has the leading brands in stock. You don’t want to go to a store and end up purchasing a lower quality model or brand just because it’s the only one they have in store at the moment. Thankfully, BS Power meets all of these above needs and you can rest assured that our highly experienced and knowledgeable staff will be able to advise you on which concrete mixers suit you best, and even better, we stock one of the top concrete mixers brands in South Africa, Baumax.

 

Baumax concrete mixers can always be considered a great investment for any construction owners for a number of reasons. Because they specialise in construction equipment, they know exactly what users are looking for and needing in each machine, and execute it flawlessly. BS Power stocks a range of construction machines and appliances, and our top Baumax mixers are:

 

BAUMAX BS361 360L CONCRETE MIXER FITTED WITH BAUMAX RX200 2:1 ENGINE

 

Drum Volume: 360L
Capacity Unmixed: 260L Mixed*: 200L
Drum Speed: 25RPM
Output: 5m3 per hour
Mix cycle: 2,5 minutes
Length:1900mm
Width:1000mm
Height: 1560mm
Weight: 200Kg
Transmission: V Belt
Engine: Baumax RX200 2:1 Engine 6.5HP
Chassis: Robustly constructed from channel iron and folded metal
Wheels: Semi Solid Wheels

 

Baumax 360L CONCRETE MIXER WITH B&S ENGINE

 

Robot welded.
Drum Volume: 360L
Capacity Unmixed: 260L Mixed*: 200L
Drum Speed: 25RPM
Output: 5m3 per hour
Mix cycle: 2,5 minutes
Length:1900mm
Width:1000mm
Height: 1560mm
Weight: 200Kg
Transmission: V Belt
Engine: Briggs & Stratton RX950 2:1 Engine 6.5HP
Chassis: Robustly constructed from channel iron and folded metal
Wheels: Semi Solid Wheels
Option: High speed towable wheels on 145 x 10 Pneumatic wheels.

 

Baumax 400L CONCRETE MIXER WITH B&S ENGINE

 

Robot welded.
Drum Volume: 400L
Capacity Unmixed: 320L Mixed*: 220L
Drum Speed: 25RPM
Drum Thickness: 3mm
Mix cycle: 2,5 minutes
Discharge height: 600mm
Loading height: 1100mm
Track width Standard: 900mm Tow: 1200mm
Dimensions(LXWXH):2025mmx955mmx1460mm
Weight: 215Kg
Option: High speed towable wheels on 145 x 10 Pneumatic wheels.

 

Tips for using your concrete mixers

 

When it comes to using a concrete mixer there are a few things to keep in mind and although these machines have remarkably updated the construction realm and are very user-efficient, there are still guides that you should follow. No one should be using a concrete mixer without the proper knowledge, but once you have the basics you should also look into a few other aspects that will improve your overall experience with the machine. We’ve compiled the top tips and tricks for you when it comes to using concrete mixers:

 

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Preparing the site

 

This first step is incredibly vital in the building process and needs to be thoroughly executed to ensure that all of the other steps and tips can be followed without any hiccups or delays. Preparing the site is usually done before any construction project whether it requires cement mixers or not, but if you will be using these specific machines then you will need to do a few other things also. In general, you will need to flatten the ground of the area you will be working on to create a solid foundation. This will generally take a bit of manual labour and time to complete but is necessary.

 

This should go without saying, but before you begin building you will need to ensure that you have all of the correct and applicable building permits and blueprints if/when required. As part of this, you should know which parts of the building project need to be constructed in specific areas, and where you will be needing a concrete mixer. For this, you should demarcate and corner off specific areas of the site where you will be pouring concrete, and ensure that you’ve allocated a spot to situate the mixer.

 

Be safe!

 

Although a concrete mixer can be considered as a fairly safe machine to use, there are still a few safety requirements you should be aware of. This includes wearing the correct protective gear such as:

 

-Boots: There is a chance that when the different aggregates are spinning around in the drum of the machine, that bits of debris could fling into the air or drop onto the ground, and as such your feet should be thoroughly protected. You should ideally be wearing a pair of sturdy boots that have a strong grip and that are equipped with a steel-toe to prevent any major injuries. These types of boots though are generally required on a construction site anyways because of the nature of the job, so you shouldn’t have to go above and beyond to invest in a pair solely for using concrete mixers.

 

-Eye goggles: The next important piece of safety equipment is a pair of eye goggles which protect your eyes from any debris flying around and also from the cement dust which is sure to circulate in the air while you’re pouring the aggregates into the machine and while it’s turning. Cement dust in your eyes is obviously not something you want to have to deal while you’re trying to flawlessly build a home!

 

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-Mask/respirator: The same cement dust that can fly around and get into your eyes can also get into your lungs if you’re not careful. If you suffer from Asthma or allergies you will be more sensitive to this dust and should ideally invest in a respirator mask, but if not then a regular face mask should do the trick.

 

-Gloves: Because you won’t be mixing the concrete by hand you may wonder why you would be needing gloves, but they are actually quite an important element of your safety. When you’re pouring in the different aggregates and when you’re finally laying the cement, it’s important to acknowledge that they could contain harmful chemicals or acids which aren’t so good for bare skin. Most gloves available at your local hardware store should do the trick in offering protection but it would be beneficial if you could find gloves that go up to your mid-forearm, and that have a grip strip on the inner palm. In terms of material, leather, suede and the likes will be the most durable if you’re looking for a product to last you many construction seasons.

 

Proximity

 

When using concrete mixers, another important aspect to keep in mind is that you need to always try and keep the mixer near you or the pour site at all times. This is because concrete will harden incredibly quickly, especially if the machine is done mixing, so you need to ensure that the machine is positioned in immediate proximity to you so that you can easily pour the concrete while it is still wet and malleable.

 

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Flat ground

 

Another tip when it comes to using concrete mixers is to ensure that the machine is always placed on level ground. If you place the machine on uneven ground or at a slant, the mixing drum won’t evenly distribute the aggregates and you likely won’t get an even concrete mixture, which obviously would not set correctly. Never ever leave the machine on damp or wet ground and in fact it is advised that even when the ground isn’t damp, that you still lay down a secure foundation for the machine to rest on, such as a piece of hardboard.

 

Routine inspections

 

Much like other construction machinery, you will also need to conduct regular maintenance and inspections on your concrete mixers. You should thoroughly inspect the machine once a month or so depending on how frequently it is used, but you should also keep a watchful eye on the machine and inspect the different components before you use it, while it is spinning, and when it is shut down. It is incredibly important that you conduct these frequent checks because if you don’t you may miss something small that needs to be fixed, and then leave it until it gets steadily worse and worse, leaving you with a fat repair bill at the end of the day.

 

Coating

 

A tip that newer users of concrete mixers may not be aware of is just how effective it is to coat the machine before using it. If you apply a thin layer of industrial grease to both the outside and a smaller amount on the inside of the drum, this will prevent concrete from sticking to the sides of the machine and instead you will be able to easily wipe off any stray bits. Most industrial grease options offered by local hardware stores should be perfect for the job but make sure that you’re not using a diesel coating as it can change the consistency of the concrete mixture. If you don’t have an alternative to a diesel coating, you will just need to use less than you would with a regular industrial grease.

 

Pressure washing

 

If you find that your machine is still covered with bits of concrete then the most effective cleaning method would be to use a pressure washer, which is in general a good idea for your concrete mixers not just when the concrete is severely caking the machine. A pressure washer can be used to hose down the outside of the machine and the inside of the drum, but if there are more stubborn chunks of hardened concrete that won’t come off with the pressure washer you can use a chisel to remove them. If you don’t have access to a pressure washer then you can add equal parts gravel and water to the drum and run it for a cycle, which will loosen any unwanted debris.