To maintain order, even on a small area, concrete is constantly required: pour poles for the fence, knead the solution for masonry, pour the foundation under the arbor, shed, canopy, pour plates for the track ... Yes, you never know about the housework. Bear in the trough - long and hard physically. Therefore, many think of the acquisition of concrete mixers. And if there is a serious construction, and there is nothing to think - this tool is simply necessary. It is worth only to say that the solution cooked in the concrete mixer is obtained by 50% stronger than the manual (with the same composition of the components). One thing remains: Choose a concrete mixer.
Connection mixers
To choose a concrete mixer, you need to familiarize yourself with the main designs. There are two types of mixers: with forced kneading and gravitational. Forced consist of a fixed capacity, inside which blades are rotated. Due to the design features, they operate only with solutions - without a large aggregate, also require more powerful engines, and, accordingly, consume electricity more. All this leads to what they are used mainly by professionals.
Concrete mixer forced type
For developers and for household use, gravitational concrete mixers are more suitable. This is a barrel-shaped container, inside which the strip-blades are welded. This container rotates around its axis, can change the position relative to the horizon. With an inclined tank, the most intensive mixing occurs. This design allows you to do as a solution (cement + sand) and concrete (cement + sand + gravel or other large aggregate).
Gravitational concrete mixer (one of many options)
There are two types of drives - gear and corn. Reducer are more reliable, but their repair is a very complicated and expensive undertaking. If suddenly such a mixer breaks, it is easier to buy a new one. The corona design breaks more often, nevertheless replacement of the crown is a case of a couple of hours and a relatively small amount of money (1000-2000 rubles depending on the material of the crown). All this led to the popularity of the gravitational concrete mixers of the crown type.
Reducer concrete mixer usually has a characteristic design - the engine is under the bottom of the tank
What to pay attention to when choosing a weft concrete mixer
The choice of any tool is not easy. And in the concrete mixer there are three different nodes that affect performance and durability: bed, tank and motor. And it is necessary to consciously choose all these parameters, and also take into account a bunch of nuances. Then choose the concrete mixer will be easy.Buck for the kneading (pear)
The first with which it will have to determine the volume of the tank for the knead. The range is very large: from 30-40 liters of 200-300 liters. The most popular developers of concrete mixers with a volume of 130-160 liters. But it is far from dogma. Someone prefers to have two concrete mixers of 80 liters instead of one large. But in general, for home use or for giving, they buy mostly concrete mixers with such tanks. They are optimal in performance, mass, allow how to perform more voluminous work - fill the foundations and more modest - concreting of the fence columns, for example, or a mortar for masonry of brick, etc.
Concrete mixer construction
Determined with the size of the tank, keep in mind that you really get concrete about half of the stated volume. The thing is that when stirring, the container must be tilted. And the more dense you need a solution, the more there will be an angle of inclination - standing concrete mixer almost nothing stirs. It is called gravitational, because the solution adhesions to the walls of the inclined barrel, picked up with blades, and then, under the influence of gravity, falls down. Thus, mixing occurs. It is clear that inclined capacity you do not load completely - half simply fall out. Specific loading sizes are determined already when working. And you can navigate on average numbers: thick concrete will be about 50% of the total volume, more plastic about 65%. The solution is less (due to the presence of rubble concrete is better mixed).
When you already choose the concrete mixer "alive", pay attention to the thickness of the walls of the tank. It is clear that better - thicker walls. But a thick-walled tank is an increased weight. So you have to decide what is more important - easier moving or more reliable tank.
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Motor power
After they decided on the volume, it is necessary to decide which power the motor will arrange you. Actually, the power of the motor also depends on how much time you get concrete. The more powerful the motor, the more severe tank it can turn. An average can be considered as follows:
- 170 liters are optimally 750 W;
- at 130 liters - 500 V.
Power data and tank capacity
Approximately these numbers can be focused. In any case, for long-term operation of the motor, it is necessary to launch a concrete mixer empty, or almost empty - with a very small mass. And download the components in the already operating. Many are unloaded by checking without stopping work. This is also correct and promotes longer operation.
Gear and Crown Material
The gear must be definitely made of metal, maybe from cast iron, but steel is better. Also pay attention to the shaft to which the leading gear is attached. It must be powerful enough (some cheap Chinese models have a very thin shaft), and also have a very small backlash. What he is less, the better.
Spores are underway from the wint of what material is better. The crown is the teeth, along the circumference of the tank for the knead, for which the belt clins. They are made of steel, superproof plastic (polymers) and cast iron. The most common - cast iron or polymer. If you believe your feelings, the cast iron should be stronger. But actually polymeric, at least, no less reliable and durable. Almost all owners of concrete mixers with a plastic crown say about it. In favor of polymers there are some more arguments:
- Plastic crown costs less than 1000 rubles and changes a few dozen minutes. The cast iron costs three or four more expensive.
- Concrete mixers with a plastic crown work quieter at times than with cast iron or steel teeth.
Design of venetic concrete mixer
But you still choose. And if you have confidence polymers do not cause, buy with cast iron or steel teeth.
Several use recommendations that will extend the life of a crown from any material:
- The crowns are raised due to sand, cement, dust. To protect them, you can make a visor (from rubber, for example), which these very teeth are covered.
- Periodically clean the teeth with a dry clean brush.
- Do not lubricate them with nothing. Lubricant, patient sand - excellent abrasive and guaranteed eating any material.
Rotary device
As already talked, when working with concrete mixer, it is necessary to change the position of the tank. It is more convenient if the rotary mechanism is made in the form of a wheel, not a lever. Also pay attention to the number of positions in the tank. What they are more, the easier it will be for you to pick up the mode.
More convenient to operate if the rotary mechanism is made in the form of a wheel, not a lever
Details of construction
To finally choose a concrete mixer, go to the details of the structure:- Concrete capacity is installed on the bed. The bed must be durable, stable.
- Concrete mixer often need to move on the site. In most models there are wheels. It is clear that what they are more, the easier it will drag her from place to place.
- The shape of the blades inside the tank. Just welded smooth plates are not the best option, better - curved.
- Material of protective engine casing. It is made of plastic or painted metal. Metal, understandable thing, more reliable, but occurs infrequently.
How to make a concrete mixer do it yourself read here.
Prices and quality
In general, these are all highlights that will help choose a concrete mixer for sure for your requests and needs. There is still a question of the price. As in any other product there are three categories:
- Cheap Chinese concrete mixers. If you pay attention to all parts described above (especially on the thickness of the shaft and the play of the gears, as well as the metal thickness of the tank), it is possible to be lucky, and it will work without breakdowns. In extreme cases, you will need to sharpen worn items. The main thing is to repair it to be repaired. The best option - if you find a model with an exchange for the warranty period. This also happens. Usually, all "shoals" will be soldered in the first year, so the option is really good.
- Average price Russian brands. Usually quite reliable, maybe slightly treated. A fairly popular group among those who strive to get reliable technique for reasonable money.
- European brands. All are good, except for the price that it is not always easily solved by a problem with spare parts - you have to wait a few weeks until you get it. But I must say they are the most reliable.
Reviews
Select concrete mixer by parameters is not all. We also need to decide on the brand, and this can be done mainly by reviews. Only so you can get an idea of how reliable or not the aggregates of a particular manufacturer. Brands of concrete mixers too much and for each brand to give reviews just unreal. We have collected the most popular due to optimal quality and prices.Roll of Lebedyansky Plant
I decided to save when buying, and bought the BSM concrete mixer (I don't remember exactly what numbers). When buying has made a major error. Chose a small volume - something about 50 liters. It was necessary to knead. Not work, but solid flour. And I did not like the design: I even had a lot of solution to turn over even a small tank. Then another drum fell off. Three times welded, then I bought a new one - the Ramp of the Lebedyan plant. The volume has already taken 130 liters, and it was possible more. It has been working for 5 years. While repair was not.
Two seemingly almost the same designs, but BSM is hard to turn over
Not everyone responds so about the concrete concrete mixers. There are negative experience.
Bought SBR-170 ($ 350). After 10 damasters of the solution (not concrete, and the solution) hung the landing place at the plastic pulley. I bought a new pulley (about $ 8), put, had enough for another 10 zams. He took off the shaft and gears, gave Tokaryam to endured the steel shaft and planted the gears on the knaps. While the current worked bought a Czech stirrer - $ 70 more expensive SBR. Pulley is also plastic, but more diameter. So far from problems - she felt strap. At both crown of the cast iron, it is necessary to watch it for its purity. A neighbor, by the way, also reanimated the replacement of pulley on homemade and better fit gears. So I have a negative attitude towards this concrete mixer.
There are positive feedback on the same Ramp of the Lebedyan Plant:
My concrete mixer of the Lebedean plant is already 7 years old. I do not remember the brand and no longer, but something more than 100 liters. There are no problems with it. Once the foundation was flooded from 7 am and up to 11 pm. Patheltered almost without a break and nothing, handed over. During this time, a small gear on the engine was demolished, but still works.
As you can see, the situation is ambiguous. There are two options. The first is the unstable quality of factory manufacture, the second is the incorrect operation of the concrete mixer (the start with the loaded tank, and not a fright in the spinning).
PRORAB (foreman)
Not always "cheap" means definitely bad. For example, a very budget line of concrete mixers, the foreman speak mainly positively. Does not mean that this tool has no shortcomings. There are, but they are not critical and they simply close their eyes, as the price is very small.
I bought a cheap Chinese stirrer (PRORAB) ECM 125. Worked the season. In principle, I was lucky. She plows normally. Only I do not give full load, I will give a little more than half a half, and sometimes you have to push the hand. First frightened. She almost did not twist, but it turned out that the voltage was 120-140 V. put the stabilizer, went fine. Already flooded the whole foundation, and this is 55 tons, so she worked her money (about $ 180). There were some difficulties at the beginning: I had to pull the belt, as he almost dangled. But since all on the bolts, then weakening the fastening of the engine and the site to which he is attached, everything set up so that the tension is perfect. Spun bolts, pulled well and that's it.
Rubber Programmer
I have a PRORAB 160. It has been working for more than a year. During this time, flooded the foundation for the barn, the warm floors in the house, constantly made a solution for masonry. Total cubes 30 turns out. Only recently it became something to bite in the teeth, but until it stops. In general, I saw almost new in the service, even with the needed paint - they are burning engines. So someone as lucky.
Rarely take a cheap instrument, but focusing on the reviews bought in Lerua concrete mixer foreman. Despite the low cost, it works fine. Only on full loading when the solution unloading can stop. I adapted and completely not loaded it, and if I look that the engine barely pulls, pushing when unloading a little hand. It is already on the machine and no difficulties arise. The noise, of course, is great, but also does not particularly document, but it is also desirable to give time to cool - approximately 10-15 minutes. Since I work "in one hands", then for me this is natural.
In general, the reviews are positive. There are certain disadvantages, but they are eliminated. Excellent inexpensive option for home or cottage.
Profmash
If we generalize, the concrete mixers of the Profdise plant are reliable, but heavy and not always comfortable in work. Some models have "nicknames": Maxim, Boomer, Hippo. There are models of gear and crown type. Cartoon crowns or polyamide.
Concrete mixers Profmash - Good reviews
I have a concrete mixer professional B130r-Maxim. Good machine. The tank is thick, attached to the cone, motor motor 850 W. For such a small volume (130 l) more than enough. I tried to stop the tank during the kneading hand - it does not work. The claimed amount of the solution received (80 liters). But I use it not only for concrete. More feed mesh. Work perfectly. What does not like: painted without putty, the paint has places in places, the start / stop button is inconvenient. You have to lean and look under the motor.
I am engaged in construction and serves a brigade of builders. Tool for them buy yourself. Bought B-165 and do not regret. It lasts longer, despite the hard mode of operation. Yes, and turn to her - not the best: a solution of the gag - beamped with a sledgehammer or hammer. And nothing. It is bad that heavy and the wheels are small, more dimensions are big - the car climbs with great difficulty. But reliability overlaps disadvantages.
Before the start of construction bought B180 Profdise. In principle, normally, but to carry it alone on the site is too hard. Stubborn leg of some unsuccessful design, all the time I cling to it, the wheels are small. In short, transportation is not for weak. It is still hard to turn the tank alone. With a center, something is wrong. I thought to upload on the one hand, pour to another. It does not work - not to turn the tank in any way. Another: stated that you can cook 115 liters of kneading. I could never happen, it turns out no more than 80 liters. In general, the estimate is 4.
Vortex
This brand has not the best reviews. What is strange, "sores" are all different.
Bought a whirlwind of BM-125. Immediately began problems: 30 minutes work and turns off MIN by 20. It is enough for 30 minutes again. And this is not to fully download. I gave to repair, waiting for a miracle.
This is my first concrete mixer BM-125 whirlwind. What to say. Works, and that's good. But problems began in the assembly. The one who completed her seems to be drunk: half of the fastener was not. I had to go shopping, select. Moreover, in the connice sealing, which put between two halves of the tank, there are extra holes, but no necessary. I had to do new, and water leaks through the excess, until everything was mixed. And yet, so make concrete much easier than manually. Because - I do not regret.
Concrete mixer whirlwind
I have a BM 160. After two months of periodic use, the tank on the axis began to swing. Bearing is seen. Now headache - where to repair.
As you can see, not the best choice.
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