A self-loading transit mixer is a construction machine used to mix and transport concrete to and from a construction site and a concrete batching plant. Dry material and water are loaded into the mixer, and it is made to rotate to create a consistent mixture of concrete ready to be laid.
Self-loading mixers are used in the construction of bridges, dams, canals, highways, and buildings. They are preferred widely mainly because of their mobility, ease of operation, and cost-effectiveness.
Types of Self-loading Concrete Mixers
When you buy heavy construction equipment like concrete mixers, there are plenty of options in both the online and offline markets. It is important to know about the various types, functions, and features of these machines and choose the one best suited for your project.
There are two types of transit mixers – truck-mounted mixers and trailer-mounted mixers. The truck-mounted ones are used for transporting heavy volumes of concrete to large construction sites while the trailer-mounted versions are used in smaller operations.
Transit mixers have several components. It is a vehicle fitted with a rotating drum to be used as a mixer. The drum can rotate even when the vehicle is on the move.
Components of a Concrete Mixer
A self-loading concrete mixer is relatively easy to operate and requires just one person. It uses the following components to work.
- It is loaded with a hydraulic drum that rotates at high speeds to mix the concrete thoroughly.
- The drum can be easily lifted to discharge the concrete mixture when ready.
- The mixer has a metallic bucket at the rear to load the drum with concrete and other ingredients.
- The operator has full charge of the machine and oversees everything including loading, mixing, speed of the drum, and direction of rotation.
How Does A Self-loading Concrete Mixer Work?
A self-loading concrete mixer features a support element also called an auxiliary frame. This frame is fitted with discharge support and a discharge channel. This setup helps to release the mixed concrete uniformly to the site where it is needed.
A gearbox with a drum is loaded on the main pedestal and is attached to the auxiliary frame by using U-bolts. The mixer drum rotates on mixing spirals that are supported by two rollers. These are highly resistant to wear and tear and are extremely long-lasting.
The water pump is attached to the gearbox. The mixing drum generally has a speed of 14 rotations per minute, while the water pump has a pressure of around 3.5 bars. It is capable of supplying 200 liters of water in a minute.
The mixer is run by a diesel engine and it is separate from the vehicle’s engine and parts. This engine also has a piston gearbox that enables the operator to regulate the drum speed and angle of rotation.
The mixing drum can rotate both clockwise and counter-clockwise. This allows all the concrete to be consistently kept towards the bottom, preventing it from spilling over outside.
While the supporting vehicle is in motion, the rule is to rotate the drum clockwise. But when the mixture is being pumped the drum should be mate to rotate counter-clockwise. This technique of rotation enables maximum performance and allows the final mixture to be discharged easily from the swiveling tube.
Benefits of Using a Self-loading Concrete Mixer
A self-loading transit mixer has a broad range of advantages in construction. The key ones are:
- It speeds up the process of concrete production on construction sites.
- It removes a lot of problems like inconsistent mixing, and delays in concrete production.
- A transit mixer can move all around the work site and provide freshly prepared concrete wherever it is needed.
- It significantly reduces the effort of mixing and transporting the concrete manually.
- It can mix concrete on-site according to the required consistency and density.
- A self-loading mixer produces very little waste materials and is efficient in disposing of this waste easily. This ensures a cleaner site to work on.
- It comes with a set of safety measures. Mixing and carrying concrete manually can lead to health hazards like ingestion and breathing problems.
- This type of mixer lasts very long and has comparatively low fuel consumption and service requirements. Hence, these are very cost-effective and let you focus your resources on other areas.
To Sum It All Up
As we have discussed, self-loading transit mixers are extremely useful construction equipment and are vital in many types of projects. Their areas of use keep increasing constantly, especially because they bring down overall costs and are simple to use. It therefore is essential to have a good idea of the machines you are about to buy.
However, construction machines like mixtures are quite expensive. In case you are facing issues allocating funds, we at HMC offer expert guidance on how to secure new construction equipment finance. All you have to do is schedule a call with our loan advisors.
For instant solutions to all your construction equipment needs, download the HMC app from Google Play or the App Store today.
