During construction work, it is important to calculate in advance how much concrete will be needed, because both shortage and excess mean financial losses. If we know how many cubes in a concrete mixer are delivered in one trip, then we can accurately calculate the total amount of concrete received from the supplier. Let's consider different types of concrete mixers, features of the device and methods for determining the amount of cement mortar that is placed in them.
Concrete mixer for home Source mot16.ru
How do concrete mixers work?
These devices are designed to mix and deliver liquid solution to clients. They contain the following structural elements:
- A drum containing a liquid solution. The power of the concrete mixer depends on the size and type of container.
- The bed is the basis of the structure. All other nodes are located on it. The frame consists of pipes and profiles. Some brands of concrete mixers have a chassis for ease of use.
- Parts used to mix the solution. Blades or augers can be used for this purpose.
- The engine and transmission that rotate the mixer. It can be gasoline or electric.
- A control unit is used to turn on, turn off or change the rotation speed of the concrete mixer.
These nodes are present in all such devices.
Preparation of the solution Source www.rmnt.ru
Parma B-130R-MAXIM
Main characteristics:
- Drive type - gearbox;
- Power, W - 500;
- Drum volume, l - 130;
- Volume of the finished solution, l - 65;
- Weight, kg - 48;
- Dimensions, mm - 1280x700x990.
Frame, wheels. The concrete mixer of this brand looks like a wheelbarrow, which allows it to be installed as close as possible to the construction site. It has a pair of 350mm wheels with rubber tyres, comfortable long handles and two supports for stability in working and emptying positions. The structure is prefabricated. When ready, it has dimensions of 128x70x99 cm. The set weighs only 48 kg. All parts are coated with durable powder paint.
Drum, crown, blades. In a 130 liter drum you can prepare up to 65 liters of cement mortar. It has an axial drive connected to the electric motor shaft by a reliable worm pair. The rotation speed reaches 21 rpm. The absence of a crown significantly reduces the level of noise emitted.
Drum Parma B-130R-MAXIM.
Power point. The model is driven by a small 500 W electric motor. It is protected from mechanical damage, dust and dirt by a metal visor.
Electric motor Parma B-130R-MAXIM.
Pros of Parma B-130R-MAXIM
- High mobility thanks to large wide wheels and comfortable handles.
- Compactness.
- Prefabricated structure.
- Low power consumption.
- Low noise level, not exceeding 68 dB.
- Possibility to transport the prepared solution directly in the mixer.
- Profitable price.
Cons Parma B-130R-MAXIM
- Small one-time download.
- The low position of the drum is not always convenient for unloading concrete into intermediate containers.
Classification
Concrete mixers can have different designs. They are classified according to several criteria.
By mixing method
In gravity mixers, the internal screw is stationary, and the container with the solution rotates. Under the influence of gravity, the solution falls from the walls, gradually mixing. By changing the inclination of the tank, you can increase or decrease it, controlling the intensity of work.
These concrete mixers can use various mixing methods:
- Inside the drum there is a gear ring located around the entire circumference. A cast iron crown is considered less expensive, but it produces a lot of noise during operation. The plastic crown does not have this drawback. The most expensive option is to use one that is made of steel. In this case, the solution is not protected from the ingress of random debris.
- The gear method is considered the most reliable. Its repair is more complex compared to the coronal one.
Cast iron gear rim Source prom.st
The advantages of this kind of mixers are:
- Due to the fact that relatively little power is required for operation, energy consumption during operation is reduced.
- These models usually have wheels, which makes it easy to move the concrete mixer to the desired location.
However, this type of device has disadvantages:
- The tank needs to be cleaned and washed after each use, which is a labor-intensive procedure. If you do not do this, then gradually a thick layer of dried mortar will be deposited inside, which will complicate work in the future.
- Sometimes the solution splashes out while stirring.
- It is difficult to scoop out the prepared solution, so it is usually first poured from the reservoir into a special trough.
For operation, electric motors are used that require connection to a supply voltage of 380 volts. This is not convenient for all builders.
Preparing for unloading Source veralline.com
Forced action devices include a stationary reservoir and a rotating mixing part. Such devices are convenient in cases where a little water is needed or when using special additives.
Typically, such concrete mixers are large in size, and therefore they are not profitable to use where the volume of work is small.
Such devices are characterized by the following advantages:
- They provide high-quality mixing of the solution.
- Extraction of the prepared solution can be dosed.
In such devices, the following problem can sometimes occur. If the solution is not sufficiently cleaned, it may contain stones or other debris that can jam the rotating part, getting between it and the mixer body.
Forced action concrete mixer Source www.prostanki.com
By continuity of action
Some devices can mix continuously. This helps maintain the quality of the solution for as long as necessary, but requires a lot of energy.
There are concrete mixers that periodically turn off during operation. This reduces energy consumption. Typically, cyclic mixers are used in private construction. When thinking about how to choose a concrete mixer for your home, you need to consider devices of this type.
By type of energy used
A concrete mixer requires energy to perform mixing.
Mixer powered by an electric motor Source domostroi26.ru
It may have the following sources:
- In some cases, a manual drive is used. The work requires significant labor costs. However, such mixers have the advantage of high autonomy. The disadvantage is the small volume of the solution being processed.
- A hydraulic drive can be used. In order to ensure rotation, it is necessary to provide a high-pressure fluid supply. Additional equipment is required during operation. Such mixers are used in industrial settings.
- Some concrete mixers rotate using a pneumatic drive. Since this is ensured by the use of special devices, they are usually used for industrial construction sites.
- If a diesel or gasoline engine is used, this allows you to combine power and autonomy. However, during operation, such mixers make loud noise and produce exhaust fumes. The operation requires purchasing fuel on a large scale.
Powered by a diesel engine Source sc01.alicdn.com
- Electric motors are the most popular. They combine high power and relatively economical consumption of resources. They are used for mixers of various capacities: from 30 to thousands of liters.
Of all of these, electric motors have the most universal application. To know how to choose a concrete mixer, you need to determine which motor is more profitable to use.
See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in equipping foundations and installing stoves and fireplaces.
BISON MASTER BS-180-850
Main characteristics:
- Drive type - crown;
- The crown material is cast iron;
- Power, W - 850;
- Drum volume, l - 180;
- Volume of the finished solution, l - 115;
- Weight, kg - 63;
- Dimensions, mm - 1190x700x1360.
Frame, wheels. The Zubr concrete mixer is installed on a prefabricated frame with a pair of plastic wheels for moving over short distances. It weighs 57 kg and has dimensions of 119x70x130 cm.
Drum, crown, blades. The solution hopper with a volume of 180 liters is made by pressing from high-quality steel with a thickness of 2 mm. It has a wide loading opening and a rotating mechanism that can be locked in any position. The blades are bolted to the walls, which simplifies their repair and replacement in case of mechanical damage. The cast iron crown does not wear out during its entire service life. All elements are coated with durable powder paint.
Cast iron crown BISON MASTER BS-180-850.
Power point. The unit is driven by a reliable 850 W asynchronous electric motor, covered with a casing made of durable plastic. It rotates the drum at 23 rpm. The electromagnetic starter will not allow spontaneous switching on after a stop due to power surges in the network.
Asynchronous motor BISON MASTER BS-180-850.
Engine protective casing BISON MASTER BS-180-850.
Pros BISON MASTER BS-180-850
- Prefabricated structure.
- Mobility.
- Good performance.
- Reliable drive.
- High quality paint.
- Foot angle lock.
Cons BISON MASTER BS-180-850
- Weak support wheels.
- Very short power cable.
Delivery
Concrete mixers are a convenient way to prepare cement mortar. For some chassis-mounted varieties, there is another application: with their help, industrial companies deliver the solution to customers, maintaining it in a liquid state. The width of the Kamaz concrete mixer allows you to deliver a significant amount of mortar in one trip.
Of course, you can make the solution yourself, but you need to spend some time on it and you cannot guarantee the high quality of the concrete obtained in this way.
Concrete is made this way without a concrete mixer Source yandex.net
It is convenient to use the services of specialized companies that will not only prepare the cement mixture of the required brand, but also deliver the liquid mixture, ready for use, directly to the construction site.
Receiving such services has its positive aspects:
- The supply of solution for preparing concrete occurs quickly and efficiently. This is beneficial both for the construction of private houses and for large construction projects.
- With the help of mixers, delivery can occur over long distances without loss of quality.
- When providing services, it is usually provided not only for the unloading of manufactured products, but also for the direct pouring of cement mortar.
This sales method allows the client to order exactly the volume of solution that he needs.
Helmut BM63 hl-11
Main characteristics:
- Drive type: electric;
- Crown material: perforated;
- Power, W - 220;
- Drum volume, l - 70;
- Volume of the finished solution, l - 46;
- Weight, kg - 24;
- Dimensions, mm - 1110x550x935.
Frame, wheels. Compact concrete mixer designed for simultaneous preparation of 46 liters of solution. It has a stable frame with two wheels for ease of movement. The product weighs only 24 kg and occupies a space of 111x55x93.5 cm.
Drum, crown, blades. This model is equipped with a 70 liter steel bulb that rotates at 29.5 rpm. Perforated plates attached to the inner walls ensure fast and high-quality mixing of mixtures. The container is emptied using a lever with a comfortable handle. All parts are painted with a powder composition that resists abrasion for a long time.
Power point. The unit is powered by a 220 W electric motor, placed together with a gearbox in a protective housing made of durable plastic. A 2 meter long power cable allows you to connect the concrete mixer to an extension cord outside the operator's reach.
Pros of Helmut BM63 hl-11
- Compactness.
- Ease.
- Mobility.
- Reliability.
- Nice build.
- Economical energy consumption.
- Profitable price.
Cons of Helmut BM63 hl-11
- Narrow loading opening with a diameter of only 240 mm.
Selecting a concrete mixer
The following are some tips on how to choose a concrete mixer for your home and garden:
- It is necessary to determine what volume the drum should have: up to 100, 100-150, 150-300, more than 300 liters.
- The thickness of the drum walls matters. If the mixer is purchased for private construction, then 2 mm is sufficient for solid walls, and 4 mm for welded seams.
- When determining the required volume, you need to take into account. That optimal performance is achieved not when fully loaded, but when two-thirds full. In this case, the quality of the mixture will be higher.
- For private construction, it is preferable to purchase a device that uses a crown. It is advisable to buy those that use a part made of polymers.
- The device power of 700 W is most suitable for private low-rise construction.
Denzel B-200
Main characteristics:
- Drive type - crown;
- The crown material is cast iron;
- Power, W - 1000;
- Drum volume, l - 200;
- Volume of the finished solution, l - 110;
- Weight, kg - 65.3;
- Dimensions, cm - 81x72.5x62.5.
Frame, wheels. This compact model weighs only 65 kg with dimensions of 81x72.5x62.5 cm. It has a steel frame with a fixed stand and two plastic wheels for moving around the construction site.
Drum, crown, blades. A round drum with a volume of 200 liters is designed to prepare 110 liters of the finished solution. A pair of angular blades are attached to the walls, ensuring fast and high-quality mixing. The tank is fixed in several positions using a foot pedal. The ring and gears are made of cast iron, which can withstand abrasion for a long time.
Denzel B-200 ring and pinion.
Power point. The concrete mixer is equipped with a 1 kW electric motor with a belt drive that prevents jamming. A poly-V-belt reinforced with polyester cord does not slip on the pulley under normal conditions and has increased wear resistance. A casing made of durable plastic reliably protects the energy unit from splashes and dust. All live parts are double insulated. There is an automatic shutdown that prevents overheating and overloads.
Electric motor Denzel B-200.
Pros of Denzel B-200
- Quite a large working volume with compact dimensions.
- Possibility of movement.
- The drum walls are made of high-quality steel, 1.5-2 mm thick, with a wear-resistant powder paint coating.
- Average resource 3000 hours.
- Reliable bearing protection.
- Foot stopper for tank position.
- Adequate cost.
Cons of Denzel B-200
- Low accuracy of fitting of prefabricated parts.
- It takes a long time to get used to the drum stopper.
Rating
If you plan to purchase a mixer for working at home, it makes sense to pay attention to the following rating of concrete mixers, which includes popular and high-quality models:
- RedVerg RD-CM 63
It has a drum volume of 63 liters. It is suitable for building a summer house. This concrete mixer can be purchased at an affordable price. She has a high-quality polymer crown. Disadvantages are loud noise,
- Concrete mixer Lebedyan RN-200
Suitable not only for home use, but also for professional construction work. The drum volume is 200 liters. Immediately after the end of the cement mortar preparation cycle, you can start the next one. A powerful electric motor is used. A batch of solution can be prepared in two minutes.
Concrete mixer Lebedyan Source i1.ytimg.com
- Model SBR-100
Has a cast iron crown. The solution preparation time is one and a half minutes. This concrete mixer operates from a 220 V network. Rotation is transmitted from the motor using a soft belt. If operated in a state of overload, it may wobble greatly.
There are various types of concrete mixers on sale, among which the client can always choose the most suitable one.
Caliber "Countryman" BSE-200
Main characteristics:
- Drive type - crown;
- The crown material is cast iron;
- Power, W - 750;
- Drum volume, l - 200;
- Volume of the finished solution, l - 115;
- Weight, kg - 48;
- Dimensions, cm - 121x70x136.
Frame, wheels. A Russian-made concrete mixer is installed on a prefabricated frame made of profiled steel pipe with one fixed support and a pair of small wheels at the base. It can be transported along paths or level areas. It weighs 52 kg, occupying a space of 121x70x136 cm.
Drum, crown, blades. A cylindrical drum with a conical neck with a volume of 200 liters is designed for the simultaneous preparation of 115 liters of fresh solution. It has a durable cast iron crown, a large position adjustment wheel and a foot spring stop for greater hand freedom. The rotation speed of the tank when mixing is 26 rpm. In this case, the noise level can reach 80 dB.
Power point. The unit is connected to a household network with a voltage of 220 volts. It has a 750 W asynchronous motor, placed together with the drive in a protective casing made of impact-resistant plastic.
Asynchronous motor Caliber "Countryman" BSE-200.
Pros Caliber "Countryman" BSE-200
- Stable design.
- Light weight.
- Possibility of moving on wheels.
- Good performance.
- Low cost.
Cons Caliber "Countryman" BSE-200
- Small wheels are not well suited for the construction site.
- High noise level.
- Short cord.
Briefly about the main thing
There are many types of concrete mixers. Some of them are intended for industrial, others for private construction.
Depending on the device, the tank in which the cement mortar is mixed has its own characteristics that affect its performance.
The actual volume of concrete supplied in automixers may not correspond to that stated in the invoice. Usually, this is the result of an oversight at some stage of loading, so it is best to control the entire process yourself.
You can control the amount of concrete by comparing the weight of the machine before and after loading, measuring the unloading time, plus making sure that the concrete is poured into a clean mixer.
Lebedyan SBR-190/220
Main characteristics:
- Drive type - crown;
- The crown material is cast iron;
- Power, W - 1000;
- Drum volume, l - 190;
- Volume of the finished solution, l - 110;
- Weight, kg - 77;
- Dimensions, cm -120x74x138.
Frame, wheels. This mobile concrete mixer is installed on a prefabricated frame made of profiled steel pipe. It has one fixed support and two plastic wheels for moving on level ground. It weighs 77 kg with dimensions 120x74x138 cm. All metal parts are protected from corrosion by painting.
Drum, crown, blades. A cylindrical drum with a conical neck with a volume of 190 liters is designed to prepare 110 liters of ready-made solution at once, which is convenient when performing monolithic work. The cast iron crown copes with loads throughout the entire service life of the device. The tilt angle of the container is set using a wide steering wheel with a foot spring stopper.
Power point. The concrete mixer is equipped with a trouble-free 1 kW electric motor with a belt drive. A protective cover is provided to prevent water and dirt from entering it.
Pros of Lebedyan SBR-190/220
- High performance.
- Convenient controls.
- Acceptable noise level.
- Long working life.
- Prefabricated structure.
Cons Lebedyan SBR-190/220
- Not the best balance. When emptying the container, great effort must be made.
- Small wheels.
Types of concrete mixers
Before you even start choosing, decide what type of concrete mixer you need.
There are only two of them:
- Gravity, in which the solution is mixed in a rotating drum under the influence of its own weight. They come with manual and electric drive.
Electrically driven gravity units
- Screw (forced mixing), in a stationary drum of which blades attached to a shaft rotate.
Forced mixing unit
The former are more common in private construction, the latter are used for the production of high-quality solutions on large construction sites. Their price is significantly higher.
The volume of a concrete mixer does not depend on the principle of its operation: in both groups there are both small and very impressive units. It will simply be easier to choose if you initially prioritize the affordable price of the device or the high quality of the prepared solution. And do not consider models that do not meet these conditions.
Manufacturers
The following is an overview of concrete mixers from the best manufacturers. Let's start with the Lebedyan brand. Characteristics:
- Machine type - equipment with a reinforced structure of the SBR-132A type. It is equipped with a cast iron crown, manual drive, all base connections are made using bolted fastening.
- A method is provided for tipping over the used and loaded mixture.
- The volume of the mixer includes up to 132 liters of ready-made solution, power – 0.7 kW.
- Dimensions – 1120/740/1310 mm, price – from 13 thousand rubles.
Which gravity type concrete mixers are better than crown or gear type?
When choosing which concrete mixer is best to buy among gravity-type devices, please note that, according to the principle of transmitting torque from the engine to the drum, they can be of two types: geared and crown-type.
These two types differ from each other in several ways:
- by cost;
- operating principle;
- reliability and duration of uninterrupted operation;
- repair possibilities and costs.
Features of gear devices
Gear-type concrete mixers have a separate gearbox installed in a closed housing, which is reliably protected from the ingress of sand, cement or crushed stone. These units are more reliable and create less noise. However, they require more careful operation and compliance with its conditions. If the gearbox does fail, it is quite difficult to repair it. You should not undertake this process on your own. Repairing such a device is almost equal to the cost of a new device.
Features of coronal devices
Concrete mixers of the crown type are distinguished by an open mechanism, since the gear stamping is attached around the circumference of the concrete mixer drum. It is susceptible to the effects of building mixtures, wears out during operation, but is not fussy in operation and maintenance. Repairing a crown type mechanism is much easier.
The most popular are crown devices. They have earned their popularity due to their simple and understandable design, which is easy to repair. Despite the fact that gear units are more reliable and durable in operation, they are expensive to repair and it is difficult to find a technician who can do it. You can pick up parts for crowns in specialized stores or order them in online stores, and you can repair them yourself.