The Ultimate Guide to Cement Mixers
Posted by: Liam Broker
Posted on: 10/05/2023, 00:00
What Is A Cement Mixer?
Cement mixers are an essential tool for anyone who works in the Construction Industry or who is planning a large-scale DIY project that requires mixing cement or concrete. These machines are designed to efficiently and effectively mix large quantities of cement, sand, and water, producing a consistent and high-quality mixture.
How Does It Work?
A cement mixer consists of a rotating drum, mounted on a frame, with an electric, battery, petrol or diesel motor and gearing system that drives the drum's rotation. The drum is designed with fins or paddles on the inside, which help to mix the concrete ingredients as the drum rotates.
To use the mixer, the concrete or cement ingredients are added to the drum in the correct order and ratio. The drum is then turned on, and the paddles begin to mix the materials together. The rotation of the drum and the action of the paddles work to blend the materials thoroughly, creating a high-quality, consistent and even mix.
The speed of the mixer's rotation and the duration of mixing time depend on the type of mix being made and the size and capacity of the mixer. Once the mixing is complete, the drum can be tilted to pour out the concrete or cement mix to be used for its intended purpose.
Types Of Cement Mixer And Their Advantages
There are various types of cement mixers available on the market, each designed for a specific use. It's important to choose the right type of mixer for your needs and the task at hand as this can affect the efficiency and quality of your concrete or cement mix.
The main types of mixers are :
- Drum Mixers :
- Most common type of cement mixer.
- Large, cylindrical drum with blades/fins rotate to mix materials.
- Available in electric, battery, petrol or diesel powered variations.
- Suitable for mixing large volumes of concrete.
- Can handle a range of mix types, including stiff or wet mixes.
- Perfectly suited for small DIY and large on-site construction projects.
- Vertical Shaft Mixers :
- Smaller than drum mixers.
- Vertical shaft rotates to mix materials.
- Suitable for mixing small to medium volumes of concrete
- Better suited for DIY projects and small-scale construction work.
- Pan Mixers :
- Shallow, flat pan with vertical mixing blades.
- Suitable for mixing small volumes of concrete.
- Better suited for mortar or plaster mixes.
- Can be used for small construction projects or repairs.
- Easy to clean and maintain.
- Cement Truck Mixers :
- Mounted on a truck, with a huge rotating drum for mixing concrete.
- Suitable for large-scale construction projects, including road work or building foundations.
- Can handle larger volumes of concrete.
- Can be more efficient than other mixers for large-scale jobs.
- Are usually expensive to hire or purchase.
Choosing the right cement mixer for your construction needs can be a daunting task. There are several factors to consider when selecting the best cement mixer for you and the job that needs to be completed such as :
- Portability and Transportability :
- Consider whether you need a portable mixer or a stationary one.
- Portable mixers can be moved around easily, especially on-site but may have smaller mixing capacities.
- Stationary mixers may have larger capacities, but can be more difficult to move.
- Mixing Capacity:
- Consider the size of the construction project you will be working on and how many batches of cement or concrete you will need per hour.
- Choose a mixer with a capacity that is suited for the job, to ensure you can mix enough concrete at once.
- Power Source:
- Consider whether you need an electric, battery, petrol or diesel powered mixer.
- Electric and Battery mixers are more environmentally friendly and easier to maintain, but may be less powerful than petrol or diesel powered units. Also if there is no access to a power point then battery or engine driven mixers might be your only choice.
- Petrol and Diesel powered mixers can be more powerful, but require more maintenance and produce exhaust fumes which means they can't be used in enclosed areas.
- Durability:
- Consider the quality of materials used to build the mixer, as well as the brand's reputation for durability.
- Look for mixers made of high-quality materials that can withstand heavy use over time such as the ALTRAD Belle and Winget ranges available.
- Noise level:
- Consider the noise level of the mixer, especially if you are working in a residential area or are working in a ULEZ compliant zone.
- Some cement mixers can be very loud and may require ear protection.
- Cost:
- Consider your budget when choosing a mixer.
- Compare the cost of different models and brands, and consider the long-term cost of maintenance and repair, this is especially true with the larger On-Site cement mixers which will be in use for longer periods of time over an extended period.
With so many brands and models available, it can be difficult to ensure you are choosing the right one for your needs and that the mixers on offer are going to provide the performance you expect. At Seddon Plant & Engineers Ltd we ensure that we only stock and sell the leading industry brands in the market that are known specifically for their reliability, durability and performance. That's why we only sell the two Market Leaders when it comes to cement mixers, ALTRAD Belle and Winget :
The Belle Minimix 150 is the number one choice in the world for Tip-Up Cement Mixers and there are a number of reasons why :
- The Belle Minimix 150 cement mixer was first introduced in the late 1970s and quickly became one of the most popular cement mixers in the UK.
- It is a compact and portable mixer that is designed for small to large scale home improvement or building projects.
- The Minimix 150 has a mixing capacity of 130 liters and can produce up to 90 litres of concrete per mix.
- It can be powered by a 230V or 110V electric motor, 82V/5Ah Battery or a Honda GX120 petrol engine and can rotate the drum at a speed of up to 24 revolutions per minute.
- The mixer features a tilting drum that allows for easy pouring of the mixed concrete, as well as a wide drum opening that makes it easy to load and unload materials.
- The Minimix 150 is built with a heavy-duty chassis and high-quality materials, making it durable and long-lasting.
- It is easy to transport, thanks to its lightweight design and compact size, and can be easily loaded into a van or trailer.
- The mixer is also easy to clean, with a detachable mixer drum that can be quickly and easily removed for cleaning.
- It has won several awards over the years, including the Professional Builder's Best Product Award in 2018.
Winget is a British company that was founded in 1908 in Bedfordshire, England. The company originally started out as a manufacturer of concrete mixers for the construction industry, and quickly established a reputation for producing high-quality and reliable machines.
Throughout the 20th century, Winget continued to grow and expand, and became one of the leading manufacturers of construction equipment in the UK. The company's machines were used on many of the country's largest construction projects, including the construction of the M1 motorway and the Channel Tunnel. The company is known for its commitment to quality and reliability, and its machines are used by builders and contractors around the world.
The most popular unit which Winget produces is the 100T Hand-Fed Site Cement Mixer which is a fixture seen on many building sites across the UK. Here's a few reasons why :
- The Winget 100T cement mixer is a heavy-duty mixer that is designed for professional use in the construction industry.
- The 100T model was first introduced in the 1980s and has since become one of Winget's most popular mixers.
- It has a mixing capacity of 150 litress and can produce up to 100 litres of concrete per mix.
- The mixer can be powered by a Yanmar L48N Diesel engine or 110V electric motor.
- The mixer features a tilting drum that allows for easy pouring of the mixed concrete, as well as a wide drum opening that makes it easy to load and unload materials.
- The Winget 100T is built with a heavy-duty chassis and high-quality materials, making it extremely durable, robust and reliable.
- It is designed to be easy to use, with a simple control panel and a large tipping wheel for easy pouring.
- The mixer is also easy to transport, thanks to its hard-wearing wheels and handles, which make it easy to move around on-site.
- The Winget 100T cement mixer is known world-wide for its reliability and durability, and is a popular choice among professional builders and contractors.
- It is also a versatile mixer that can handle a range of materials, including concrete, mortar, and screed, making it a valuable tool for a wide range of construction projects.
Whether you are a professional builder or a DIY enthusiast, investing in a high-quality cement mixer can save you time and effort on your construction projects, and help you achieve better results. Brands such as Belle and Winget are known for their reliability and durability, and are a popular choice among builders and contractors around the world.
With the right cement mixer, you can mix concrete, mortar, and other building materials quickly and efficiently, allowing you to complete your construction projects with ease. So if you're planning a construction project, be sure to invest in a quality cement mixer and enjoy the benefits of faster, more efficient mixing.
View Our Complete Range of Cement Mixers