Smooth Out Your Construction Processes with Technology
Traditionally, humans have created concrete manually. But with greater pressure to supply, build and construct with concrete, we have to make use of the technologically advanced machinery that allows us to generate concrete consistently and efficiently. Concrete mixers are machines that allow construction workers to mix concrete on-site, with greater precision and minimal transport time needed. Read this article if you’re interested in learning more about the different kinds of concrete mixers, and how these wonderful machines are powered, using either diesel, petrol or electric engines.
Concrete Is A Ubiquitous Material For Any Construction Site Or Urban Space
Concrete is a mixture of aggregates, including cement, sand and water. When combined, these ingredients create a liquid that hardens over time. This material is incredibly durable and versatile in its uses.
Today, you can find concrete being used in most skyscrapers, parking lots, malls, bridges, roads, houses and patios. Depending on the type of the building project and its functional values, concrete can be applied in various grades of compressed strength. You can find concrete in grades ranging between M5 and M70. Concrete that is graded at M70 is generally used for high strength applications, such as bridges, while m5 concrete is used for smaller do-it-yourself projects, like outdoor tables.
Different Types, Engines And Sizes of Concrete Mixers
Just as there are different kinds of concrete mixtures made for specific requirements and applications, there are also different types of concrete mixers. Concrete mixers vary according to type, engine and size. Standard concrete mixers are powered by either petrol, diesel or electric motors.
The motors are found alongside the frame of the mixer – which holds up the structure, including the wheels. Then there is the drum, where the concrete is mixed inside. Each construction site and worker needs to make an informed, strategic decision about the type of mixer they need for their particular building project.
Batch Mixers
If you’re new to the world of construction equipment, then let’s start with the basics. There are two types of mixers: batch-mixers and continuous mixers. Batch mixers produce concrete in batches, as in they produce specific volumes of concrete individually, one session of mixing at a time.
These mixers have drums or pans that rotate while blades churn the aggregate ingredients until they’re smooth and ready to be poured onto a surface. Batch-mixers are generally used on smaller construction sites. They can only create limited volumes at once, stopping every few moments so that workers can distribute the cement and reload the machine with fresh ingredients.
Different Types Of Batch Mixers
Some batch mixers function using a drum or pan. Made of a double conical frustum shape, drum batch mixers prepare the concrete using blades situated inside the drum. Depending on the type of building project, you could use three different types of drums: reversing drums, tilting drums and non-tilting drums.
Reversing drum mixers are unique in that they have two openings for intake and discharge, as well as two sets of blades that rotate in opposite directions. Non-tilting drums rotate horizontally and collect the concrete on one end using a chute, thus they are better for smaller jobs as they do not easily spread large quantities of concrete as quickly. Tilting drum mixers are capable of being adjusted at diagonal angles. One side of the drum is closed, and concrete is collected through the opening of the side that is tilted downwards.
Pan mixers used cylinders to prepare concrete, instead of drums. Some pan mixers stay static while the blades rotate vertically. Other pan mixers have rotating pans with static blades. These sets of blades are usually shaped like a star, placed within the cylindrical pan.
Continuous Mixers
As their names suggest, continuous mixers can create large volumes of concrete without needing to be stopped. These mixers work without interruption, allowing construction workers to cover larger surface areas at once by continuously refilling the machine with more raw ingredients. These mixers are good for bigger construction projects. These mixers have different units for input, mixing and discharge; there is a feeder for raw ingredients, a unit for mixing and a separate mechanism for the dispersal and distribution of the concrete.
Portable Drums Mixers and Mobile Transit Mixers
To further differentiate between alternative types of concrete mixers, we can also consider the difference between mobile transit mixers and portable drum mixers. A mobile transit mixer is commuted by large trucks, which they’re mounted on. They churn consistently and can hold approximately 20 000 kilograms of pre-mixed concrete. Portable drum mixers are smaller and they carry smaller volumes of fresh concrete mix.
Power Your Mixer With Electricity, Diesel or Petrol
At the source of these ingenious inventions is a powerful engine. Concrete mixers are usually powered by electricity, diesel or petrol. Just as you would require diesel or petrol to run a fuel engine, you need access to electricity for an electric engine. Depending on the size and requirements of your construction site, you should pick your mixer according to the type of engine you need, the environment you’ll be working in, and your access to fuel or electricity.
Diesel Versus Gas Engines
Both diesel and gas engines function in the same way. Both types can use intake, exhaust, compressions and fuel to power their cognition. However, diesel takes only air into its combustion chamber while gas-powered engines take air and fuel.
Diesel engines are good for the intense building processes, as they are high powered and they do not require access to electricity – which is useful if you are in a remote space. Diesel engines are considered to be slower, yet they are supposedly stronger and more enduring than gas engines. Gas-powered engines also do not need access to electricity. However, in South Africa, gas is more expensive than diesel.
If you’re deciding between diesel and gas engines, then you must consider your budget. You also have to put some time into surveying the manner in which you will be using the mixer, and the functions it will need to carry out in your specific scenario. Depending on how often you’re running your mixer, you have to consider whether you want a machine that lasts longer but works slowly, with lower costs of fuel, or if you want a machine that works fast but has expensive fuel costs.
Electrically Powered Concrete Mixers
Alternatively, you can also look into buying an electrically powered mixer. Although, it is important to note that they require access to electricity and plug points. Their electrical source of power means that you will save money on fuel expenses, and be less obligated to constantly stock up on fuel.
The engine powers the drum by transmitting electricity through the ring gear, which is connected to the drum and the pinion. Some concrete mixers use a belt drive to transmit power from the motor to the drum. Belt drives are more expensive but ultimately quieter.
Electric mixers are also more economical than fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are non-renewable, and their extraction and use have many negative impacts on the environment – for example, they are a cause of problematically high carbon emissions.
At BS Power, there are 3 different mixers up for grabs. Each of them is electrically powered by Baumaux engines, with power ranging around 6,5 horsepower. Each of the self-powered mixers available at BS Power is a portable drum mixer. These mixers come with wheels that will make it easier for you to transport and distribute the concrete on-site.
Electric mixers are cheaper than gas-powered mixers, and they need less maintenance. If you have access to electricity and you’re not using the mixer for professional use, then an electric mixer with at least 60-litre capacity should suffice. If you’re using the mixer for projects of a larger scale, and you’ll need to be mixing higher volumes of concrete at once, then an electric mixer with a drum capacity of 120 litres will be a safe bet.
For intensive use in a professional environment – where you’ll need to mix concrete every day throughout the business week – consider getting yourself an electric mixer with a higher drum capacity. Something that is capable of mixing at least 250 litres at once is a good investment. These higher capacity mixers will save you time, allowing you to mix more at once without needing to constantly move back and forth to add new ingredients and distribute concrete batches individually.
At BS Power, the mixers in stock all come with cranks and notches that sit next to the motor. These allow you to adjust the tilt of the drum for easier pouring. For additional safety precautions, each of the machines also makes use of enclosed engine cabins and ring gear covers. All of the mixers currently in stock at BS Power have drum capacities of above 360 litres, thus they are better suited for larger construction projects.
Three Options From BS Power
BAUMAX BS360L CONCRETE MIXER FITTED WITH BAUMAX RX200 2:1 ENGINE
- R16,995
- “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: Baumax RX200 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.
- *Machine output varies according to the type of material and drum inclination.”
400L CONCRETE MIXER WITH BAUMAX RX2002:1 ENGINE
- R18,995
- “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.
- *Machine output varies according to the type of material and drum inclination.”
BAUMAX BS500 500L CONCRETE MIXER FITTED WITH BAUMAX RX200 2:1 ENGINE
- R21,995
- “Chassis: Robustly constructed from channel iron and folded metal.
- Ultra-Durable 3mm Drum bottom.
- Total volume 500L
- Capacity(Unmixed)* 420L
- Capacity(Mixed)* 280L
- Drum Rotation 24rpm
- Weight without engine 270Kg
- Drum Thickness 3mm
- Wheels Solid rubber wheels with bearings.
- Dimensions(LxWxH) 2155mmX1045mmX1550mm
- Engine: Baumax RX200 2:1 6.5HP.
Invest In An Electrically Powered Concrete Mixers From BS Power
Now that you know everything important about the different types, engines and models of mixers, you can make an informed decision about your new equipment before you purchase it.
If you’re looking to invest in electric concrete mixers for large construction projects, then BS Power has got three wonderful options for you. Baumaux mixers are strong, durable and easily transportable with drum capacities above 200 litres and additional features like wheels that are perfect for big jobs and easy application.