Concrete mixer: volume, types, selection criteria and technical characteristics

Everyone who has ever had to fill a screed or masonry knows that manual mixing of concrete is the most time-consuming and time consuming process. It requires considerable effort from the builder. Usually, everyone uses a metal trough, in which a working solution is made with a shovel in a small volume. However, when it comes to large-scale construction (pouring the foundation, erecting the walls of the house, etc.), a concrete mixer is simply needed.

The volume of concrete that is manufactured with this equipment (per day) is several times higher than the amount of the solution that is manually mixed. And this makes it possible to significantly accelerate the construction process. But how to choose the right device? To understand this issue, we will consider what the concrete mixer volume can be, what kinds of special tools this type is and what criteria it should be chosen.

Types of concrete mixers

The choice of domestic and professional aggregates for mixing concrete is so diverse that it is very difficult for an unprepared person to immediately decide on a particular model. Immediately it should be determined that the devices are different:

• By the principle of work (gravitational or forced mixing).
• By type of device (reducer or corona).
• According to technical parameters (working volume of concrete mixer, engine power and various design features).

Next, consider each variety separately.

Mixing machines for forced mixing

The main difference between these units is the fixed capacity. Here the solution is mixed with special blades. They are driven by a powerful engine. The dry mixture is poured into a large drum, where the arachnid blades as thoroughly as possible mix all the ingredients. It should be noted that the solution in this case is of the highest quality. However, these aggregates are not suitable for working with large-fraction fillers.

Typically, such a concrete mixer (large volume) is used in large construction projects. For private needs, its acquisition is inexpedient, since a powerful engine consumes a huge amount of electricity. In addition, a large amount of concrete for small construction will not be required.

Devices of gravitational type

Concrete mixers of gravitational type of mixing are for all the usual devices of a pear-shaped form. Their principle of operation is based on the rapid rotation of the drum, inside which fixed blades are installed. They lift the solution up, after which, under the influence of its own weight, it falls down, carefully mixing. The presence of blades makes it possible to prevent slipping of the solution from the walls of the drum, so that concrete is of good quality.

This variety of mixing devices is able to work with both small and large fillers. With its help, you can mix heavy concrete to fill a solid foundation. And also make light mortars for plastering walls or arranging the screed. Gravitational concrete mixer, the volume of which can reach 300 liters, is a universal unit, which is widely used both at large construction sites and for private purposes.

Types of gravity concrete mixers

Apparatuses of gravitational type are divided into two groups: reducer and corona. As practice has shown, the first models are much more reliable in operation. Their mechanisms are well protected against the ingress of sand and other construction debris, which eliminates the occurrence of breakdowns and increases the service life of the unit itself. However, if the mechanism still fails, the concrete mixer will only be discarded, since this kind of repair is not subject to repair. At the same time, the coronary mechanisms are completely open, which often leads to various breakages. Nevertheless, they are easily repaired. Therefore, compared with the first type, they are much more popular.

Criteria for choosing a concrete mixer

Choosing a device for mixing concrete, in the first place should take into account its purpose. Going to buy, ask yourself the question: how much concrete mixer will satisfy your needs and how often do you plan to use it? Based on the answers, you can understand what characteristics should have the appropriate option. There are not so many criterions for choosing a concrete mixer. Here you should pay attention to the following indicators:

1. Bucket capacity.
2. Engine power.
3. The material from which the drum is made.
4. Operating mode.
5. Degree of protection of the engine.

Let us consider each item in detail.

Volume of concrete mixer

This is the most important factor that is taken into account when buying. The main criterion for choosing a concrete mixer is volume. Each device on the counter of a building store has its own technical documentation (passport). It shows the capacity of the bucket. However, note that this figure is not an indicator of the performance of this special tool. In fact, due to some design features, the volume of concrete in the concrete mixer is only 2/3 of the declared capacity of the bowl.

If, according to the documentation, the capacity is able to contain 100 liters, then with this unit you can make about 65 liters of the finished solution (for one mixing). Of course, you can fit more material into the drum. But in this case, concrete will have a very low quality, and the unit itself will quickly fail. But how do you understand the volume of the bucket you need for certain purposes? Let's look at the capacity of the bowl for each type of work.

How to determine the tonnage of the bucket?

All units are divided into groups by bucket capacity:

• Concrete mixers with bucket up to 100 liters. Such units are most often purchased for home use. Their total weight does not exceed twenty kilograms, which makes it easy to move the device to the desired object. Most often they are used in the construction of small structures: baths, sheds, arbors, etc.
• Devices with a capacity of up to 150 liters. The concrete mixer, whose volume does not exceed this index, can be used for pouring the foundation and erecting the walls of single-storey buildings. The weight of such units usually varies within 40 kilograms.
• Concrete mixers up to 300 liters. Such devices are used in multi-storey construction (houses up to three floors). They are already equipped with the load and unload function. And their weight usually does not exceed 50 kilograms.
• Stirring devices with a capacity of more than 300 liters. The weight of such concrete mixers directly depends on their productivity. However, in any case, it does not exceed 160 kg. These units have a fairly high cost and are used only in global construction projects.

If you decide to build your own house, for which you want to buy a ready-made mortar, you will most likely be interested in the volume of the KAMAZ concrete mixer (popularly they are called mixers intended for mixing and transporting the solution). They can accommodate from 6 to 10 m³ of concrete. Material, thanks to constant mixing, retains its original qualities for a long time. This amount of concrete will be enough to fill the foundation for a small house. In this process, you do not need to waste your time preparing a new portion of the solution, which greatly accelerates the pace of construction.

Material from which the bucket is made

Practically in all modern models of concrete mixers the drum body is made of steel. Only its thickness differs. When choosing this or that device, consider the fact that concrete itself is capable of corroding metal. Therefore, if you are counting on continued operation of the unit, do not purchase options in which the steel thickness is less than 1-2 mm.

Engine characteristics

The next parameter, which is worth paying attention to, is the volume of the engine. In the most primitive models, engines with a power of not more than 1 kW are installed. A power source with a voltage of 220 V is needed to operate such a unit. If the volume of a concrete mixer (m3) is 0.5-1, it will have a more powerful engine running from the network to 380 V. Since it is not always available at construction sites , You will have to install an additional generator that provides the necessary voltage.

In view of the fact that most often concrete mixers operate in the open air, special attention must be given to engine protection. It should be in a metal box or covered with a special casing. Also it is necessary to take into account the operation mode of the concrete mixer. If during construction you need to stop the mixing process, choose models that can work periodically. Continuous mixers are not designed to work with pauses.

What else should you pay attention to?

We listed the most important characteristics that should be paid attention when choosing a concrete mixer. Among other things, you should ask the seller about the manufacturer of the unit, its warranty obligations and the availability of service centers (where you can contact in case of a breakdown of the machine). The country and the manufacturer are chosen depending on the personal preferences of the buyer. Remember that in both domestic and imported models there are both worthwhile and low-quality options.

But customer service points must be present in your city. If there are none, be prepared for the fact that in case of a malfunction of the concrete mixer, it must be sent to the supplier, which will take quite a long time. And most importantly - do not forget that when choosing a concrete mixer, you should give preference to models whose capacity is one third more than the volume you need.