Photo by Becca Lavin

The market share of the cement mixer equipment is predicted to increase by 10.61% by 2020. The construction industry is developing rapidly, and the tools and equipment used are also evolving. The market for the cement mixer is highly competitive and innovative.

Manufacturers are striving to develop new varieties of the mixers to meet diverse consumer needs. When looking for the best equipment to buy, you’ll face a wide array of choices.

How can you ensure you get the very best quality there is? This guide reveals what to look for when looking for a mixer.

Keep on reading!

What Is a Cement Mixer?

Also known as a concrete mixer, a cement mixer is a large piece of equipment used in construction sites. Its function is to mix water, sand, and gravel to produce concrete in large quantities. Mixers are a replacement of traditional mixing methods like the use of discarded washing machines.

In other cases, builders would mix the concrete manually in wheelbarrow tubs.

The equipment conveniently produces concrete for slabs, wall-building, or foundation cast. Typically, the mixer entails a revolving drum that mixes the components. For smaller work volumes, contractors use portable mixers that can be carried to the site.

Factors to Consider When Looking for a Cement Mixer

The basic design of a cement mixer is the same across the board. They entail an ample open space in the interior, referred to as a drum. The drum is made from heavy steel which can withstand a lot of mortar weight.

On the inside is a paddle that mixes the components to produce a uniform mixture. The drum spins on an axis as it works, and its transmission is by a gear or belt. Mixers are either electric or petrol powered.

1. Electric or Petrol Powered Mixer?

An electrically powered mixer has several advantages over the petrol mixer. It comes at a lower price and calls for less maintenance. All you need is to plug it to a power source, and its start-up is instant.

The electric type isn’t affected by external temperatures. It’s also lighter in weight hence easier to manoeuvre. Most of them run on single-phase electricity (500-1500W), but more powerful ones run on three-phase (1500W+).

Petrol mixers are best used in some different cases. Since they require no electricity to run, it means you can use them where there’s no power. Petrol mixers produce more substantial batches of concrete.

They are best used in large construction sites and outdoors. Most of them come with inflatable tires; hence there’s no need for a trailer to transport them.

Although petrol mixers are bulkier and noisier, they provide greater utility for larger projects.

2. Drum Volume

The volume of the drum determines how many batches you’ll make to get enough concrete. Check the wording of the product description. Some manufacturers refer to tank volumes and others to mixing quantities.

It’s important to note the mixing capacity is slightly less than the total volume of the tank. For example, with a tank of  150 litres capacity, you’ll get about 120 litres of concrete per batch.

Take note not to overfill the tank as this tampers with the homogeneity of the concrete. Underfilling the tank also makes the mixture stick to the walls. The smaller your tank volume, the more batches you’ll need to mix, hence wasting time.

3. Performance

The performance of a cement mixer is a factor you can’t afford to ignore. The performance is a combination of factors like motor output, motor power, and mixing method. The mixing method falls into two categories; forced and gravity mixers.

Forced concrete mixers come with immovable drums and have a huge capacity. The mixing of concrete relied on the rotation of the internal blades. For liquid mixtures without solid particles, a forced mixer is the ideal type.

Gravity concrete mixers are for projects that require denser mortar. This type of mixer features a tilting drum with internal blades. The components of the concrete must manually be loaded to gravity cement mixers.

Machines with higher capacity come with automatic loading features.

The performance of a mixer is directly proportional to the power of its motor. With a powerful engine, mixing can continue all day long.

4. Frame and Wheels

An excellent quality cement mixer should be rugged because of the massive forces it has to endure. They require a lot of carting around and so must withstand the constant movement around the site. Go for mixers made from solid steel as this tends to last longer.

Large mixers are attached to a trailer. When selecting a portable model, the wheels should be an issue of concern. Check to see that the quality of the wheels is good enough to withstand pushing on bumpy ground and muddy inclines.

Considering the extra weight of a full cement load, it’s clear why the quality of wheels is essential. The wheels need to be large and thick, with thick treads and well-positioned axles. Poor-quality wheels might cause your mixer to spill over the contents if they can’t withstand the load.

5. A Wheelbarrow for the Cement Mixer

A mixer and a wheelbarrow work closely together. Wheelbarrows come with a volume of 90 to 100 litres. Mostly, the safely usable weight is 60 to 70 litres. This means for a 150-litre mixer; you’ll need two wheelbarrows per batch.

Check to see that you can safely mix your wheelbarrow in under the mixer tank. That’s the best way or your contents to be safe.

6. The Paragon Heavy Duty Cement Mixer

You now know the critical features of a good concrete mixer. The next consideration is the model to buy from the top brands on the market.

Consider going for 3.5cf Paragon cement mixer as it is especially made with reinforced drum fins and seams for long lasting professional work. It is made to save time and improve productivity and has been tested to stand the test of time with daily hard work. View more about this Paragon Cement Mixer here.

You can even choose between a petrol (Honda or Lifan engines available) or an electric powered model.

In Review

In a construction site, you need a variety of tools and equipment. Among them is a cement mixer, also known as a concrete mixer. When choosing a mixer, there are several important factors to consider.

A reliable mixer should be made from steel, which is hard and can withstand a lot of pressure. You also need to consider its fuel demands. Drum volume, performance, and frame quality are essential factors to check.

Once you’re sure you’ve got what you’re looking for, don’t let your budget limit you. Remember that good quality equipment will almost always come at a higher price.

Do you have any questions? Be sure to contact us.