In construction, the efficacy of the tools is as important as the expertise of the professional, and cement mixers are an absolute must-have. From DIY projects to massive commercial construction projects, having high-quality mixers on hand makes the job much easier. A cement mixer is used to mix cement, sand and water to create concrete, the ultimate material for building walls, laying foundations, creating walkways, producing infrastructure for roads, and plenty of other construction projects.
A mixer is necessary for creating high-quality concrete that stands the test of time. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of using concrete mixers in your construction projects and cover a select range of products on the market. For the best possible results during your construction developments, getting a high-quality cement mixer is key.
The Importance Of Cement Mixers
Without concrete mixers, construction projects would take much longer, and the quality of the concrete would be nowhere near as reliable. If concrete is inconsistently mixed, structures may end up unstable, posing an unacceptable safety risk. Whether you’re a professional construction worker or taking on a smaller DIY project in your own capacity, getting a cement mixer, or cement mixers, is the first step to its successful completion.
When you have these mixers on hand, you also reduce the need for manual labour, which can ultimately save you tons in terms of costs.
Good, consistent, concrete is pivotal to the structural integrity of any project. Concrete mixers make achieving the right consistency a seamless process. The core components of a cement mixer include a rotating drum, an electric motor and engine, and a strong frame to support the drum and motor.
The consistency offered while using a cement mixer also means less waste, so you’re not only saving time, but you’re also doing it in an environmentally friendly way. By essentially automating the process of mixing cement in a way that saves time and maximises safety, these tools are requisite for modern-day construction projects. All in all, a cement mixer saves you time, improves the quality of the concrete, increases safety, reduces overall labour and minimises waste. As such, these tools are absolute necessities for all sorts of building and construction projects.
How To Choose The Right Mixer
Whether you’re a construction company or taking on a DIY project in your personal capacity, choosing the right cement mixer depends on a few key factors. The most important factors to keep in mind are the size of your construction project and the amount of concrete you’re going to need. Concrete mixers come in different sizes ranging from small portable ones to larger industrial ones. You can typically get concrete mixers powered by gasoline, diesel or electricity, with gasoline and diesel-powered mixers more powerful than their electric counterparts.
An electric mixer is perfectly fine for at-home DIY projects but for larger, industrial-scale projects, you’ll likely need to opt for a gasoline-powered or diesel-powered mixer. The latter requires more maintenance but offers increased capacity and faster drum rotation, meaning they’re more well-equipped for commercial construction projects.
You should also consider the height at which the concrete is discharged from the mixer so you can properly plan for it. Additional features that you may want to keep in mind include the ease of operation, the ease of transport, the type of wheels and the weight of the product.
Our Range Of Mixers
BS Powers imports and manufactures an incredibly wide range of high-powered equipment for professional use in construction, agriculture, forestry, and various other applications. In the list below, we’ve highlighted our top-of-the-range concrete mixers ideal for qualified construction specialists to get the best results when creating concrete.
360L Concrete Mixer With A Baumax Engine
A mixer perfectly suited for contractors and construction rental companies, the powerful mixer has a ring gear cover and enclosed engine cabin to guarantee the safety of the operator. The powerful machine framework is constructed from channel iron and folded metal to help it stand the test of time.
Weighing a total of 200kgs, the drum volume is 360 litres with a drum speed of 25RPM. The machine comes at a length of 1900mm, width of 1000mm and height of 1560mm. A full mix cycle takes around 2 and a half minutes, an incredibly fast rate to help you maximise the output and quality of your concrete mixture.
The wheels are semi-solid with options for high-speed 145 x 10 pneumatic towable wheels. Output varies according to the type of material and drum inclination, but you can rely on high-quality and consistent concrete for all types of construction developments.
360L Concrete Mixer With A Honda Engine
Another powerful concrete mixer that professional builders and equipment rental companies can stand to benefit from, this 360L concrete mixer with a Honda engine comes with a ring gear cover and enclosed engine cabin that prioritises the safety of the operator.
A drum volume of 360L and speed of 25RPM with a full mix cycle taking two and a half minutes makes this one of the best concrete mixers on the market. The machine is 1900mm in length, 1000mm in width and 1560mm in height. The machine is topped with a v-belt transmission system Honda GP160 5.5 HP engine.
400L Concrete Mixer With A Baumax Engine
This 400L cement mixer equipped with a robust Baumax engine is another great option for professional building and construction rental equipment businesses. The mixer also has a ring gear cover and much like the abovementioned machines, guarantees operator safety with an enclosed engine cabin.
The product comes with a Baumax RX200 2:1, 6.5HP engine, a drum volume of 400 litres with a capacity of 320L when unmixed and 220L when mixed, a drum speed of 25RPM and a drum thickness of 3mm. The loading height is 1100mm while the discharge height sits at 600mm high. The overall weight is 215kgs with the high-speed towable wheels allowing for easy transportation, should you need to move between different job sites. The powerful but fuel-efficient engine means this is an excellent option for taking on commercial construction projects.
400L Concrete Mixer With A Honda Engine
The 400-litre concrete mixer is much like the above but comes equipped with a Honda GP160 5.5 HP engine as opposed to a Baumax engine. As with the previously mentioned cement mixers, it includes a ring gear cover and an enclosed engine cabin for maximum operator safety and is another strong option for professional builders and equipment rental companies.
The dimensions for the mixer are 2025mm x 955mm x 1460mm with a loading height of 1100mm and a discharge height of 600mm. The drum volume is 400 litres with a mixed capacity of 320 litres. You can easily move this machine around via the high-speed towable wheels despite its weight of 215kgs.
500L Concrete Mixer With A Baumax Engine
These 500-litre concrete mixers are particularly well-suited to commercial contractors and rental companies, coming equipped with a powerful and fuel-efficient Baumax engine. As with the others, the mixer comes in a ring gear cover with a closed-off engine cabin for safe and secure operations.
The chassis is carefully constructed from channel iron and folded metal with an ultra-durable 3mm drum bottom. A total drum volume of 500 litres with an unmixed capacity of 420 litres and a mixed capacity of 280 litres makes this a strong option for anyone undergoing construction developments. Solid rubber wheels make the 270kg+ machine easy to move around.
The mixer is 2155mm in length, 1045mm in width and 1550mm in height. No matter the project, these cement mixers are among the most reliable on the market, allowing you to make consistent and high-quality concrete.
500L Concrete Mixer With A Honda Engine
Another powerful option for mixing concrete, this 500-litre machine comes equipped with an even more powerful Honda engine. As with all of our cement mixers, it comes in a ring gear cover with a protected and secure section for the engine. With dimensions of 2155mm (L) x 1045mm (W) x 1550mm (H), the overall weight is 250kgs+.
The unmixed cement capacity sits at 420 litres with a mixed cement capacity of 280 litres. The solid rubber wheels mean you can easily move it between construction sites despite its weight. The drum rotation moves at 24RPM while the drum thickness is an exact 3mm. Overall, this is the perfect tool for builders who need a powerful machine with a large capacity for reliable and consistent cement mixing.
Comparing Electric To Diesel And Petrol Cement Mixers
When deciding on whether to purchase an electric mixer or a diesel/petrol cement mixer, consider the size of your project and the power you need. Don’t jump into any purchase without understanding the key differences between the two concrete mixers.
Electric Mixers
Electric concrete mixers are best suited for smaller DIY projects that don’t require a large amount of cement to be mixed. The electric mixers are often more user-friendly, but the power output is less than that of a petrol or diesel-powered concrete mixer. The machines require less maintenance, are much quieter, and produce no emissions. You can, however, expect smaller drum capacity and less efficient output overall. For anyone taking on smaller indoor projects or at-home DIY constructions, the electricity-powered cement mixers are a strong choice.
Diesel And Petrol Mixers
For commercial construction and building professionals, cement mixers with a higher power output are needed. Diesel and gasoline-powered machines in general are not only more powerful, they offer more flexibility in terms of portability, meaning you can easily transport and use these cement mixers across multiple job sites. While these machines require more maintenance, the bigger drums and incredible efficiency make them ideal for medium to large-scale construction sites. If mobility, speed and consistency are most important for you, then diesel or petrol-powered cement mixers are your best bet.
Getting Cement Mixers From BS Powers
At BS Powers, our qualified team of experts has over 100 years’ worth of combined experience in commercial construction. We sell the best high-performance equipment for commercial construction and much more. All our cement mixing products are trusted by thousands of building and construction professionals in South Africa.
As industry leaders, we have the proven experience and skills to service diesel and petrol engines whenever you need them serviced. Whether you’re building a home or an office block, BS Powers has safe and powerful equipment designed to create consistent and high-quality concrete. Based in Cape Town, we serviced clients across the country.
Give us a call or visit our website today to learn more about our offerings, or head over to our website and find the perfect tool for your next construction project.