Have you seen a concrete mixer before? The next question you may ask yourself is “What is a concrete mixer’s job description”?
A concrete mixer is a device that blends water, cement, sand, and gravel aggregates into concrete. The mixing drum, feeding and discharge mechanisms, water supply system, prime mover, transmission mechanism, and frame with supporting device make up most of its components.
Although I have seen several concrete mixers, when I start repairing them, I have a deeper understanding of them than before.
Below, I will share my knowledge of concrete mixers with you.
What Does Concrete Mixer Do
A concrete mixer is an equipment used to create concrete from water, gravel, cement, and sand.
The machine has a body structure and a big bucket where the mixing takes place. To stir, an engine or electric motor is connected to the bucket through mechanical means so that the bucket can keep rotating.
With the help of the steering, the bucket can be turned so that the mixer can deliver the concrete.
The working principle of the concrete mixer is very simple to understand. The electric motor or an internal combustion engine generate the rotation, and the rotation is transferred to the bucket via a chain or v-belt.
The bucket is not just an empty metal bucket; rather, it was designed with an inner blade inside it so that the mixture can be properly done.
The blades are on both sides of the drum so that they will cause obstructions for the concrete instead of allowing it to run freely inside the drum or bucket.
As soon as the mix is good, the wheel of the mixer will turn so that it can discharge the concrete.
To make concrete, three components are needed, which are:
- Aggregate
- Cement
- water
These three are needed to make concrete. The aggregate will determine how much water is needed, how much cement is needed, and whether gravel is needed or not.
The aggregate must be correct for you to have the desired concrete or mortar.
Another aspect of the mixer you need to pay attention to is the maintenance. If a mixer is not adequately maintained, then it will frequently breakdown.
Types of Concrete Mixer
There are many types of concrete mixer but in this article I will classify them into two major types which is:
- Batch mixer
- Continuous mixer
Each of these categories can be further be divided. For example;
Batch mixer can be divided into;
- Drum type mixer
- Reversing drum
- Tilting drum mixer
- Non-tilting drum mixer
- Pan type mixer
Batech concrete mixer is a popular mixer, and it is called batch mixer because the concrete is obtain batch by batch.
The batch concrete mixer receive all the materials needed such as gravel water, cement and sand, and mix it together for a specific period of time. It follow the routine until the a targeted amount of concrete is gotten.
How To Use A Concrete Mixer For Concrete
As said in the above article, a concrete mixer is a machine that mixes cement, sand, gravel aggregates, and water into a concrete mixture.
Sand or gravel, cement, and water are the main components of concrete as a building material. The correct ratio is crucial to ensuring that the individual ingredients are never too low or too high. We recommend a mixture of 1:4.
That means four full shovels of sand or gravel for one shovel of cement.
1: Pour two-thirds of the amount of water into the running concrete mixer.
- Shovel gravel into the mixer.
- Fill in cement.
- Run the concrete mixer for three to four minutes.
- Add the remaining water and mix briefly.
- Mixing concrete in the concrete mixer
- How do I mix concrete in the cement mixer?
What Is The Best Type Of Concrete Mixer
There are different types of concrete mixers, the very best depending on the project at hand. The project will determine the type of concrete mixer you have.
Below, I will mention two types from which you can make your choice.
1. Fixed or semi-fixed concrete mixer: This type of mixer is totally permanent or semi-permanent to the site.
Such a mixer can be transferred from time to time to strategic places so that it can be closer to the place where the concrete will be used to avoid having the concrete set before getting to the site.
2. Mobile concrete mixer: this type of mixer usually has wheels that make them mobile and can be transported to the job site or to where the concrete will be used.
The most common example of this type of mixer is a concrete mobile truck. The components of the mobile truck are detachable so that the movement of the truck will be possible.
Therefore, you can choose from the two types of mixers listed above.
How Do I Choose A Concrete Mixer
There are hundreds of concert mixers around. There are certain factors that will help you determine which one is best for you.
- Drum capacity: this has to do with the volume of the drum. How many materials can it contain? The size of your project determines the capacity of the drum you choose.
- Concrete mixer power: The power of the concrete mixer is largely determined by the engine or the electric motor.
- Noise volume: if the site is within a residential area, an electric-powered mixer will be best because of the noise level.
- The stage of the project: If the project is now at its height, It is better to use concrete pumping to avoid landfill congestion on the site.
- Mobility of the Mixer: If the project is vast or big, there is every tendency that you need to move the mixer from place to place.
Conclusion
From what you have learned, you can now describe the job of a concrete mixer. You have to learn about different types of concrete mixers.
Please don’t forget those factors that will guide you when you are choosing the exact type of concrete mixer you need for your site.
I have confidence that the article has equipped you with knowledge that can help you make the right and best choice for your dream concrete mixer.