The first concrete mixing machine was developed by T.L.Smith in 1900 in Milwaukee. It featured a tiltable drum and a bladed body.
The Smith Mascot is the same construction as the small concrete mixers that were used during that time. During the 1920s, the T-L. Smith Company in Milwaukee manufactured the world’s largest concrete mixing machines. These machines were used for the Wilson Dam, the Ohio State University’s stadium, and the Exchequer Dam.
INDUSTRIAL MIXERS
The evolution of mixing technologies has led to the development of various types of stationary mixers that are designed to work seamlessly in the concrete production industry.
In today’s market, homogeneity and short mixing times are more critical for the production of ready-mix concrete.
Twin shaft concrete mixer for concrete plant
This type of drum mixer is commonly used for large batches or production volumes. It is capable of producing high output rates.
Pan mixers are becoming more efficient as they are becoming more useful for producers of more critical concrete mixes.
Vertical axis mixers are commonly used for prestressed concrete and precast concrete. They are also commonly used for coloured concrete.
Twin-shaft mixers are commonly used for high-speed mixing. They are typically used for batches of 2 to 6 meters.
TRUCKS & TRAILERS
Special concrete transport trucks are used to mix and transport concrete. They can be charged with dry or water.
They can be loaded from a central mix plant. The material has already been mixed before loading. The concrete mixing truck maintains its liquid state through agitation or turning of the drum.
The interior of a concrete mixing truck is equipped with a spiral blade. It rotates the concrete by pushing it deeper into the drum.
When the drum rotates in the opposite direction, the arrangement forces the concrete into the hole.
It may use chutes to guide the concrete to the site. If the truck can’t get close enough, the concrete may be discarded into a concrete pump or a conveyor belt.
A concrete pump is used to move the material to its intended location. It can be placed on a concrete floor or elevated by a crane.
Terex Advance front discharge truck with three lift axles including one tag axle.
This Kayaba Rocket concrete mixer delivers concrete in Japan
Since concrete mixers are usually placed in the truck as soon as they’re loaded, they do not travel far from their facility. However, if the truck gets damaged, workers may have to go in the barrel with jackhammers to fix the issue.
In Quebec, Canada, tractor trailer combination mixers are commonly used to make sure that heavy loads are carried on a trailer.
These components are often installed behind the drives and are designed to reduce friction and lift the vehicle when the truck is put into reverse gear.
Many mixers have multiple steering axles, which can result in very large turning radius. Lift axles are typically used to raise the rear wheels off the ground so that they do not get dragged across the surface.
Additional axles not used for steering or driving may be installed between the drives and the steers.
The axle is often used to distribute the load evenly on uneven surfaces and in areas with restricted road weight limits. When used properly, these components can reduce wear and tear on standard roads.
These components are commonly used in concrete mixers that have two or more axles. The number of axles is determined by the load’s complexity and local legislation.
Discharge trucks have various features, such as a chute and a driver. In most cases, a driver must be positioned on top of the chute to guide it back and forth.
Stephen Stepanian filed a patent application for the first truck mixer in 1916.
The average truck weight is 20,000 to 30,000 pounds. It can carry up to 40,000 pounds of concrete.
Most concrete mixers in the UK are limited to a speed of 56 miles per hour (90 km/h).
CONCRETE MIXER TRAILERS
A concrete mixing trailer is a type of transportation used for short-run concrete.
The average size of a truck is around 20,000 to 30,000 pounds. It can carry up to 40,000 pounds of concrete. In most cases, a truck can handle up to 10 cubic yards of concrete.
The mixing trailer has a capacity of up to 1.75 cubic yards. It can be used with a mixing drum that has a capacity of up to 1 cubic yard.
Metered concrete trucks
Mobile concrete trucks are used for mixing and transporting concrete materials. These trucks are commonly known as volumetric mobile mixers.
On-site and portable concrete mixers
Portable concrete mixers can be powered by gasoline engines.
A concrete mixer is a portable device that uses a drum to mix the concrete components. It’s usually used for small jobs.
For small-scale projects, such as residential repairs and renovations, many cubic yards of concrete usually do not require to be used. Bagged cement is commonly available in small batches.
The concrete mixers are also divided according to their loading mechanism. The cement, sand, and other aggregates are then loaded into their hydraulically operated hopper.
In hand-feed concrete mixers, the cement, sand, and other aggregates are manually added to the mixing drum. This method is commonly used in various construction sites in different countries.
Self-loading concrete mixers
Self-loading concrete mixers are machines that are designed to handle different types of concrete. They consist of a drum that’s mounted on a chassis.
The operator of a self-loading concrete mixer batches and introduces the various ingredients needed for mixing concrete into the drum. The mixer’s drum is usually a tilt or reversible type. A water dispensing unit is used to control the volume of water that is discharged to the drum.
This product is ideal for areas where concrete plants are not available or where the underfoot conditions are not suitable for concrete transit mixers. It can be used for various construction projects such as bridges, tunnels, foundations, and bridges.