Types of Concrete Mixer Machines Used in Construction

A Concrete Batch Mixer is a type of mixer used in the construction industry to mix a specific quantity of concrete at a time. This type of mixer is suitable for small to medium-sized construction projects where the demand for concrete is not too high. The concrete batch mixer typically consists of a drum or container where all the ingredients are added in a predetermined order. The ingredients usually include cement, sand, water, and aggregates such as crushed stone or gravel. This mixer comes in different sizes, and the size of the mixer is determined by the amount of concrete that needs to be mixed. Small batch mixers can hold up to 1 cubic yard of concrete, while larger mixers can hold up to 6 cubic yards of concrete or more.

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A Concrete Batch Mixer is a reliable and efficient option for small to medium-sized construction projects where a specific quantity of concrete needs to be mixed at a time.

1. Drum Mixer

A Drum Mixer, also known as a barrel mixer, is a type of mixer used in the construction industry to mix large quantities of concrete or cement. It consists of a drum or barrel that rotates on its axis, with blades or fins attached to the inside of the drum that help to mix the concrete as it rotates. An advantage is their ability to mix large quantities of concrete efficiently. They are also easy to operate and require less labour compared to other types of mixers. This makes them suitable for both small and large construction projects and can be used to mix concrete, mortar, or any other construction material.

Drum mixers can be further classified into three categories: tilting drum mixers, non-tilting drum mixers and reversing drum mixers.

i. Tilting Drum Mixer

Tilting Drum Mixers are designed with a tilting drum that can be rotated to pour out the mixed concrete or cement, making them a popular choice for construction projects where material needs to be quickly unloaded. These mixers consist of a drum tilted on its axis allowing the mixed material to be poured out of the drum into a designated area. One of the advantages of this type of mixers is that they require less manual labour compared to Non-Tilting Drum Mixers, as the mixed material can be easily unloaded by tilting the drum. This makes them a popular choice for small to medium-sized construction projects.

ii. Non-Tilting Drum Mixer

Unlike Tilting Drum Mixers, Non-Tilting Drum mixers do not have a tilting mechanism and rely on manual labour to unload the mixed material. One of the advantages of this concrete mixer is their simple design and easy operation. They are suitable for small to medium-sized construction projects and can be used to mix wet and dry mixes. They also have a relatively low maintenance requirement. However, one of the main drawbacks is their inability to unload the mixed material automatically. This requires manual labour to unload the mixed material, which may be inefficient for large construction projects.

iii. Reversing Drum mixer

A reversing drum mixer's drum can rotate in both directions, allowing the mixing blades to effectively mix the material. The drum has mixing blades or fins attached to the inside of the drum to help mix the material. One of the advantages of this type of mixer is its ability to produce highly homogeneous concrete mixes, including wet and dry mixes. They are suitable for small to medium-sized construction projects and can be easily cleaned and maintained. However, their relatively high cost may make them less attractive for some construction projects.

2. Pan-Type Concrete Mixer

It is also known as a circular mixer or a pan mixer because of its circular-shaped mixing pan. This concrete mixer consists of a circular mixing pan that is mounted horizontally on a frame with wheels. One of the advantages is their ability to produce highly homogeneous concrete mixes. Pan-Type mixers are also suitable for producing different types of concrete mixes, including wet/dry mixes, mortar, plaster, and refractory materials. However, one of the main drawbacks is their lower mixing capacity compared to other types of mixers. They may not be suitable for larger construction projects that require high-capacity mixing equipment.

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Continuous Mixer

Continuous Mixers, also known as continuous flow mixers, are a type of mixer used in the construction industry to mix concrete or other construction materials. Unlike batch mixers, which mix a set amount of material at a time, this cement mixer mixes materials continuously as they move through the mixing chamber. The material is continuously fed into the mixing chamber at one end, while the mixed material is continuously discharged from the other end. Its advantage is the ability to produce large volumes of homogeneous material quickly and efficiently. They can be used to mix a wide range of construction materials, including concrete(including wet and dry mixes), mortar, and asphalt.

However, one of the main drawbacks is their relatively high cost. They also require a relatively large amount of space for operation, making them less suitable for smaller construction projects.

Summary

There are several types of mixers used in the construction industry for mixing concrete or other construction materials. The most common types include batch mixers, drum mixers, pan-type mixers, tilting drum mixers, non-tilting drum mixers, reversing drum mixers, and continuous mixers. Summarising cement mixers below :

• Batch Mixers are suitable for small to medium-sized construction projects, while Drum Mixers are ideal for large construction projects.
  

• Tilting Drum Mixers are suitable for both large and small construction projects and are easy to operate, while Non-Tilting Drum Mixers are ideal for producing highly homogeneous concrete mixes.
  
  

• Reversing Drum Mixers are designed to mix materials in both directions, while Pan-Type Mixers are versatile and suitable for small to medium-sized construction projects.
  
  

• Continuous Mixers are the most effective option for large construction projects as they have the capacity to mix large volumes of material.
  

How do I get the best Cement Mixer?

Buying Cement Mixers

To get the best concrete mixer for the job, it helps to understand your jobsite needs and the capabilities of each mixer. There are three main types of mixers. This article should help you determine whether you would benefit most from a drum mixer, a mortar(barrel) mixer, or a vertical shaft mixer. Each option can come in a variety of sizes and power options.

Drum Mixers

Drum mixers are the conventional choice for mixing concrete with large aggregates. These cement mixers function best when mixing a relatively fluid cement & aggregate mixture. Generally, the more fluid in the mix, the more effective drum mixer is at mixing. A stiff, low slump, mixture will not tumble and churn effectively enough and may require manually scraping the inside of the drum. Drum mixers are very popular and come in many sizes.

Mortar Mixers

Mortar mixers are designed to mix all-sand mixes like stucco and brick & block mortar. These mixers are more versatile as they can handle mixes that tend to be stiff, sticky and lacking aggregate while also being able to mix fluid concrete with aggregate up to 3/8". However, mixing with heavy aggregates will significantly increase the wear on the rubbing mixing paddles.

Vertical Shaft Mixer

Vertical shaft mixers are designed to be used for near-continuous mixing of stiff, all-sand mixes. They allow for operators to pour raw material into the top of the mixing barrel and extract mixed material from a chute on the bottom. This can usually be done without the need to stop the mixing operation. Capable of mixing material with small aggregates.

Mixing Stations

Mixing stations comprise of a portable frame, a mixer, and a dump bucket. These highly portable machines provide flexibility on the jobsite. These mixers allow a user to mix a batch and then remove the full bucket allowing transport directly to the application site. Mixing stations are ideal for mixing self-leveling compounds, adhesives, mortars, and grouts on small to medium-scale.

What size mixer is best?

It is important to consider a number of things that go into deciding what size mixer is best. Predict the batch sizes that your jobs typically require and the number of crewmen that will be required on site to handle the machine. Consider both the smallest and the largest batches you expect to make. You should also consider your budget as well as equipment storage and transport.

Gas vs Electric

Gasoline remains the most convenient and common power source for light construction equipment. Gas engines do not depend on job site conditions. The downsides are that they are noisy, require maintenance, and they release toxic exhaust fumes. OSHA continues to restrict acceptable levels engine exhaust pollutants and noise levels on job sites. Gas exhaust also limits operators to outdoor use only.

Electric motors are more commonly found on smaller mixers, but some large mixers offer specialized electric power options as well. Small mixers generally have engines up to 1-1/2HP, drawing 110V. Large mixers are equipped with up to 5HP motors that require a 220V power source. 220V power may not be readily available on the job site; requiring the foreman to plan ahead and make arrangements for an adequate power supply before deploying the mixer on site. Major benefits to electric motors include little to no maintenance, low noise, and the ability to operated inside with more access to the application site.

Steel vs Plastic(Poly) Drums

Steel drums are more durable and more common than plastic(poly) drums. Steel drums are more abrasion resistant than plastic drums, but their coating will break down over time when mixing abrasive materials. Once the coating fails, the drum becomes susceptible to rust and will eventually need replacement. Plastic drums will not corrode, but they are more susceptible to abrasion. Customer reviews also mention that plastic drums are easy to clean with a garden hose versus steel drums.

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