For repair or construction works of large volume concrete mixer is simply irreplaceable. But often even experienced builders know not all the details associated with this device. How to choose a concrete mixer that will fully meet your needs, will last long and will not cause unfortunate unforeseen expenses? This is what we will discuss in this article.
Step 1: Determine the drum capacity
The initial data for determining the volume of a concrete mixer is the amount of concrete mix that may be needed to perform the work. But it will be erroneous to assume that the size of the mixer drum should be equal to this number. Due to the design features, the concrete mixer must be 10-15% higher than the planned volume of the mixture.
For small objects of private construction or for a house, as a rule, a mixer with a volume of 100-150 liters is enough.
Step 2: Selecting the
engine It is impossible to determine the "power" required for a concrete mixer to work properly. Therefore, inexperienced buyers often make the mistake of giving preference to units with a motor of the highest possible power. Practical sense in this choice is very small, but for it it is necessary to pay an unreasonably high consumption of electricity, overloading the network, and the concrete mixer itself is much more expensive than it could under the condition of rational choice.
In fact, for a concrete mixer household with a tank capacity of 130 liters will be enough engine capacity of only 700 watts. Perhaps this figure will seem ridiculous to someone, but these data are backed up by the practical experience of many users of such units.
Step 3: operating mode
Depending on the operating conditions, all concrete mixers are divided into two subgroups.
The first subgroup is designed for periodic operation. Such models are designed for the preparation of mortar during the construction of small objects and require periodic suspension of work. If such a mixer works non-stop, the resource of its individual components will quickly exhaust itself and the unit will become unusable. Devices of this kind will be optimal for a summer house, a small private cottage and similar objects.
The second subgroup is continuous machines. From the name it is clear that they have a more powerful resource, they can work for a long time, but they have a more complex device and a greater cost compared to batch mixers. Installations with the possibility of continuous operation operate on large-scale facilities, where work is carried out in several shifts and the solution must be produced in large quantities.
Step 4: Mixing method for concrete
The mixing method of the mixture distinguishes such types of concrete mixers:
Concrete mixers with forced mixing
The capacity of the mixer in these concrete mixers is stationary, and mixing is carried out with rotating blades. If you are planning to prepare a mixture of liquid consistency that will not contain solid particles, then the model with forced mixing is exactly what you need. True, it is necessary to take into account one nuance: aggregates of this type are produced only with large capacities and are intended for operation at large facilities.
Gravity concrete mixers
For those who need to use hard solids in construction or repair work with a high solids content, it is better to buy a concrete mixer with free mixing. Such a device is equipped with a rotating drum, inside which there are blades. The loading of components into small-volume drums( up to 300 liters) is carried out manually, in more voluminous machines automatic loading is provided.
Step 5: selection of the transmission mechanism
The design of the transmission mechanism distinguishes between coronal and gearbox concrete mixers. Both types have both advantages and disadvantages. The most popular are the coronal mixers. They are more often out of order, but they are easily repairable.
Concrete mixers with a reducer are more reliable and break much less often. But if the transmission mechanism or engine of such a mixer fails, it will be impossible to repair it.
Step 6: Supply voltage of the motor
Powerful aggregates designed to prepare large volumes of solution are most often equipped with a three-phase motor. Often, to power this engine, you have to use a three-phase current diesel generator. If you are planning a small amount of work in the field of individual construction, it is better to buy a concrete mixer designed for 220 V. As we have already mentioned, the power of such devices is not very large, they can be easily connected to a household electrical system.
Step 7: choose the manufacturer
Experience shows that the best concrete mixers are produced in Germany, France and Italy. However, due to the high cost of these units are not the most popular. Much more often domestic consumers purchase installations of such trade marks:
Guy Noel
The main advantage of these concrete mixers is the budget value. In general, GuyNoel units are of high quality, but they have a number of drawbacks:
- low drum wall;
- is an inconvenient mechanism for tilting the drum;
- blades are thin, can deform when working.
Altrad
Polish concrete mixers of the middle price segment.
Limex
This company is one of the best manufacturers of concrete mixers in the middle price range. Units of this brand have the following advantages:
- convenient mechanism for tilting the drum;
- provides for easy bearing replacement;
- due to polyclinic transfer the motor does not burn out when the drum is jammed.
Successful choice to you!