Concrete Mixers
A concrete mixer is also referred to as a cement mixer. The function of a concrete mixer is to combine cement with sand or gravel, and water to form concrete. The most common type of concrete mixer uses a revolving drum to mix the cement, sand and water. A portable concrete mixer is designed to meet the needs of small construction requirements or where large ready mix truck delivery is impossible. An advantage to using a portable concrete mixer is that construction workers are given ample time to use the concrete before it hardens.
The more modern portable concrete mixer is light in weight and so can be easily moved around a construction site by hand. They come equipped with wheels and a towing tongue so that it can be towed by a vehicle and moved around the construction site by hand. The rotation motor is powered by electricity.
Special truck concrete mixers are made to transport and mix concrete from a plant to the construction site. The cement, sand and water are loaded in to the truck, with the mixing occurring during transport. More modern plants load the truck with 'Ready Mixed' concrete. With this process, the concrete has already been mixed at the plant, and then is loaded into the truck. The ready mix truck maintains the material's liquid state, through agitation, or turning of the drum, until delivery.
A concrete mixer does not travel far from their plant, as many contractors require that the concrete be in place within 90 minutes after loading. The concrete mixer is limited to a speed in the UK of 56 miles/hour therefore will travel within a maximum radius of 84 miles from the plant.
The basic ingredient of concrete is Portland cement. Heating limestone with clay makes Portland cement. This is then ground with a source of sulphate such as gypsum. A fine and coarse mixture of particles such as sand, gravel and crushed stone make up the bulk of a concrete mixture.
Common Types
Self-Loading Concrete Truck Mixer
Self-Loading Concrete Truck Mixer is designed to work as a ready-mix concrete delivery vehicle and is suited to work in all types of areas, from busy city centres to remote villages. With a 3.5m3 wet concrete output it can handle all types of concrete deliveries, from large pour volume jobs to small deliveries for the DIY markets. It can even work on-the-job as an on-site batching unit.
Standard Transit Concrete Mixer
A Standard Transit Concrete Mixer is a concrete delivery vehicle used for jobs where large pour volumes are required.
Volumetric Mixer
A Volumetric Mixer is basically a mobile truck mixer and batching plant rolled into one. All raw materials are stored in separate compartments and these are then metered and mixed into fresh cement where and when it’s needed. This means that there is no expensive waste of materials, as the unmixed product remains usable indefinitely.
Video