You’re starting a construction project. How do you know which concrete mixer to choose?

1 Types of concrete mixers

There are two main types of concrete mixers: batch mixers and continuous mixers. Batch mixers produce one batch of concrete at a time, while continuous mixers produce a constant flow of concrete. Batch mixers are more common and suitable for small to medium-sized projects, such as sidewalks, driveways, or foundations. Continuous mixers are more efficient and suitable for large-scale projects, such as highways, bridges, or dams.

Batch mixers can be further divided into drum mixers and pan mixers. Drum mixers have a rotating drum that mixes the concrete ingredients inside. They can be either tilting or non-tilting, depending on how the drum is discharged. Pan mixers have a stationary pan that rotates around a vertical axis and has blades that mix the concrete. They are more effective for mixing high-strength or fiber-reinforced concrete.

Continuous mixers can be either gravity-fed or forced-fed. Gravity-fed mixers rely on gravity to move the concrete ingredients through a hopper and a screw conveyor into the mixing chamber. They are simple and economical, but they may not produce a uniform mix. Forced-fed mixers use pumps or pistons to push the concrete ingredients into the mixing chamber. They are more complex and expensive, but they produce a consistent and high-quality mix.

2 Advantages and disadvantages of concrete mixers

Concrete mixers offer several advantages over manual mixing, such as saving time and labor, reducing waste and errors, and improving work safety and hygiene. Additionally, they can enhance concrete performance and durability. On the other hand, concrete mixers also have some disadvantages, such as requiring power supply and maintenance, occupying space and generating noise, adding extra cost and weight, and limiting flexibility and mobility.