Cement mixers are key components in almost every construction project. As a real landmark in the construction industry, cement mixers had a massive impact on the efficiency with which structures could be built. Concrete mixers are vital for keeping cement malleable during the building process, and have grown in popularity throughout the decades for this very reason. We have compiled everything you need to know about the history of cement mixers from the very first iteration to modern-day mixers.

 

For a variety of reliable concrete mixers and other construction tools, you can rely on professional suppliers at BS Powers. BS Powers are experts in the construction industry and ready to equip you with everything you need to get started on your own construction projects. No matter the scale or effort, BS Powers has your back.

 

 

The History Of Cement Mixers:

 

Today mixers are considered a necessity on construction sites. These ingenious mixers are often taken for granted and overlooked in the grander scale of construction. But in reality, the invention of the concrete mixers played a vital role in catapulting humanity forward into an age of efficient construction. Why not gain a little insight into the history of these useful tools before picking one out for yourself?

 

1)The First Portable Cement Mixer:

 

The very first recorded version of the portable cement mixer is R. Bodlaender’s horse-drawn Morter Mixer. The German inventor built his magnum opus in 1904. The carriage was reported to be extremely heavy and took multiple horses quite a long time to move the mixer from place to place.

 

While it wasn’t very efficient, it was revolutionary for the time. The Morter Mixer was a regular carriage, with the two front wheels replaced by a large drum. Inside the drum were paddles used to churn the concrete as the mixer moved across the ground. With horses pulling the makeshift vehicle, the wheels would turn, moving the paddles in the process, making the mixing action.

 

 

2)The Steam-Powered Cement Mixer:

 

Stephen Stepanian’s concrete mixing and transporting machine was the predecessor to the original horse-drawn cement mixer. This invention was steam-powered rather than requiring horses to pull it along. The Armenian-American inventor went down in history as the inventor of the self-discharging motorized transit mixer.

 

Stepanian was often revealed as the father of the ready-mix concrete industry and also grew in popularity thanks to his invention of the wrench. Unfortunately for the inventor, his concrete mixer was rejected after applying for a patent for his design. Nevertheless, the steam-powered concrete mixer eventually received universal recognition in 1933. Nowadays, the steam-powered mixer is remembered for its contribution to the revolutionized concrete industry.

 

3)The Apparatus For Concrete Work:

 

While Stephan Stepanian was struggling to get his cement mixer approved, inventor Ackert Bickel came up with a new concrete mixer design. Because of this, Bickel was initially heralded as the inventor of the first cement mixer truck. Bickel’s motorized contraption debuted in 1920 and coined the name ‘Apparatus for Concrete Work’.

 

Rather than running on a steam boiler or horses, the apparatus for concrete work featured a steering wheel and an internal combustion engine, and a hand crank to get it moving. This concrete mixer was quickly incorporated into construction projects and while the design required some alterations, the apparatus for concrete work was widely popular at the time.

 

 

4)The Mixing And Agitating Concrete Truck:

 

In 1930 another inventor made waves in the construction industry with his own version of the portable concrete mixer. Charles Ball dubbed his ingenious invention the ‘Mixing and Agitating Machine’. This mixer was warmly received for its ability to hold a substantially larger amount of concrete and cement. The design of the mixing drum would change radically over the years as Ball’s contraption grew in popularity, but the rest of the design was relatively simple and remained the same throughout its run.

 

This cement mixer resembled a regular car with a streamlined drum attached to the back. Demand for concrete mixers grew exponentially in America as highways were being built to connect the larger cities. The mixing and agitating machine met those demands and served to modernize America in the process.

 

5)The Transit Concrete Mixer:

 

Roscoe Lee’s concrete mixer made its debut on Christmas day in 1934. This transit mixer required the use of a crane to fit the drum onto the back of a standard delivery truck. This design was favored for its cost-effective attributes, as it was far more affordable to build than other cement mixers at the time.

 

The Transit concrete mixer was also praised for its versatility and adaptability. After the mixing drum on the back was used, it could be removed entirely. The mixer could then be converted into a flatbed truck or even a garbage truck once construction was complete. This marvelous cement mixer would be the predecessor for modern-day mixers thanks to its versatile nature and simple but effective design.

 

 

6)Modern-Day Cement Mixers:

 

Modern-day cement mixers are far more effective than the earliest version, but the overall function is essentially the same. While inventors and engineers over the years have tweaked the design and tampered with functions, concrete mixers still serve the same purpose they did decades ago. Moder-day concrete mixers are far more efficient thanks to modern technology and human ingenuity.

 

These faster, more reliable mixers allow construction workers more time for transport and use of onsite concrete. Some larger modern mixers don separate water tanks and other designs are much smaller to accommodate personal architectural and construction projects. BS Powers supplies reliable cement mixers at affordable prices for all manor of construction needs.

 

4 Constructive Facts About Cement:

 

Almost every construction site makes use of cement. This convenient, cost-effective material is the most widely consumed commodity aside from water. As the main component in construction, cement can be found in the infrastructure of almost every kind of building within urban landscapes. From waterways and sewage systems to residential buildings and monuments, cement is the core of almost all modern cities. Here are four constructive facts to know about this versatile material.

 

 

1)The Invention Of Cement:

 

The very first kind of cement can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome. This hydraulic cement was made up of a mixture of lime, water, and volcanic ash. By mixing these three materials, people discovered the hardened mass that was the first kind of cement. Subsequently, it was used for all kinds of ancient structures and monuments, including the Roman Pantheon. The majority of Roman mortars dating back more than 2000 years were all made of this kind of cement as well.

 

Following the hydraulic lime cement of ancient civilizations, John Smeaton modernized the process with his invention of Portland cement in 1756 after he was commissioned to build a lighthouse in England. This version of cement got its name from the similarities the hardened final product shared with Portland Stone. By the 20th century, cement manufacturing was adapted and built upon, spreading far and wide as the modern construction industry flourished.

 

These days, cement is manufactured all over the world, and thanks to its affordability, cement is widely utilized in a wide range of construction projects. Getting your hands on cement these days is as simple as stopping at the hardware store Thanks to suppliers like BS Powers, you can get hold of your very own cement mixer and get to building your own unique constructions.

 

 

2)How Cement Is Made:

 

The cement manufacturing industry is always booming, with new construction projects demanding the material all over the world. The process of manufacturing cement starts with the quarrying of the raw materials needed to make the substance. Minors get to work collecting both rock and clay from massive quarries.

 

These raw materials undergo chemical tests and other processing requirements before being placed in a kiln. Here the Clinker process takes place, in which the materials are heated at staggeringly high temperatures resulting in the production of clinker. The clinker is then ground up into a fine powder and mixed with a few other additional materials to make cement.

 

3)Using Cement To Make Concrete:

 

While cement can be utilized as is, the material is often mixed with a few other ingredients to form concrete. Concrete is valued as a building material for both its strength and speedy application process. After the cement has been made, cement mixers contribute to churning the material with added gravel, water, and coarse sand to form concrete.

 

Some builders take this process even further with the use of reinforced concrete. Reinforced concrete is a composite material created by adding steel wires, mesh, and even elastic materials to the concrete mixture to make the eventual structure even stronger. Concrete and steel work well together not only for reinforced stability but also for the almost-identical thermal expansions.

 

4)Contribution To Modern Construction:

 

Cement is one of the most widely-used man-made materials on earth at the moment. This marvelously malleable material cannot be dismissed. Cement’s contribution to modern construction is massive with no signs of slowing anytime soon. Thanks to accessible equipment like concrete mixers, anyone with a vision is able to make the most of this versatile material.

 

Get A Cement Mixer From BS Powers:

 

If you’re feeling inspired by the creative freedom of constructing with concrete, why not get yourself a concrete mixer from the trusty suppliers at BS Powers? All you have to do is send in a request with your preferences and BS Powers will help you find the right concrete mixer for you. Concrete mixers are a significant investment and can help you time and time again when it comes to complicated construction projects. BS Powers will help you match the right cement mixer with your desired construction project to help you ensure success.

 

Take a look at BS Powers’ informative guide to concrete mixers to learn all there is to know about picking the right equipment for the job. With a broad range of concrete mixers on the market finding the ideal equipment might feel a little overwhelming at first, that’s, why BS Powers is here to help you through the process, will all the professional expertise at our disposal.

 

About BS Powers:

 

BS Powers boasts an experienced team with over 100 years of combined experience. BS Powers both imports and manufactures a comprehensive range of products and equipment to suit your every construction need. With high-performance equipment ready for professional use, your construction, agricultural, or forestry project is entirely possible and within your reach.

 

BS Powers is based in Cape Town and has garnered a significant collection of satisfied clients from all over South Africa. Striving to deliver the very best products to loyal clients, BS Powers has just what you need for the perfect construction project.