How to choose a concrete mixer: the best models for 2020

In the spring-summer season, many begin to carry out construction work. To facilitate the task and save time, it would be great to purchase a concrete mixer. It can be used to mix various materials such as sand and cement. However, before buying, it is worthwhile to understand the properties and types of this product, so as not to make a mistake with the choice. This article will provide detailed information on this fixture, as well as a list of the best concrete mixers for 2020.

What it is?

A concrete mixer is a device for making high quality mortar. Manually, a good mixture will not work, and a lot of time and effort will be spent. Let's consider what this device consists of and how it works.

The main components of a concrete mixer:

• Stanina. It is a design that brings all the details together. In smaller models, it is accompanied by small wheels for greater mobility.
• Power unit and transmission. It is a place where energy is transformed to move elements.
• Working container, which is a vessel for mixing ingredients.
• Unloading mechanism. With its help, the mixture is removed from the container.
• Kneading organs. They serve directly for stirring.

Classification

Concrete mixers are divided according to the following criteria:

1. Muscle drive or hand held concrete mixer. It is clear from the name that it works from the power of man. You need to make some effort to make it work.
2. Pneumatic drive and hydraulic drive. It is a type of power supply for rotating elements using liquid or compressed air. As a rule, such machines are used only where there is an industrial infrastructure, high power is required.
3. Motor drive. An internal combustion engine is used as an energy source. Such models do not require any effort to put them into action. However, the disadvantage is the high cost of raw materials for the engine and exhaust gases.
4. Electric drive. Powered by electricity. One of the most common types of concrete mixers. Mostly used in small models.

In addition, there are gravity and forced concrete mixers.

The principle of operation of the first type is that mixing is carried out by gravity. The container for raw materials rotates axially, and the inner blades are attached to the body, which allows them to stir the solution while moving and collect it from the walls. In the process, you can change the slope. They do not consume a lot of electricity, and the tube does not get very hot during the process. It is convenient to prepare viscous mixtures with such a machine. Models working on this principle differ in the rotation mechanism. There are coronal and gearboxes. The former are most popular due to their ease of use, but they break down quickly because the components are poorly protected. While the latter are the most reliable. However, in the event of a breakdown, the entire machine becomes unusable, and the crown can be easily repaired.

Concerning compulsory action. In such a model, the pear with the ingredients does not move at all.The whole composition is mixed thanks to the blades rotating inside. These machines are usually quite bulky and not suitable for personal use. Designed for solutions with a small amount of water and does not mix large particles.

But these are not all the signs by which this device is classified. There are batch and continuous concrete mixers. The first ones are intended for small local works. They require periodic shutdown, otherwise the machine will quickly wear out. While the latter have powerful resources, they are made of stronger material, and are more reliable. These machines work continuously and are used in large facilities. Accordingly, they are much more spacious, more expensive and more complex.

Criterias of choice

When buying a concrete mixer, you need to understand exactly what size of the mixing container will be the most optimal for specific purposes. There are certain recommendations in this regard:

• For small works, construction of small buildings (bathhouse, garage, etc.) - a drum weighing up to 22 kilograms, with a capacity of no more than 100 liters;
• For larger structures, such as one-story houses, a drum weighing more than 40 kg is suitable. and a volume of 100 to 150 liters;
• Two-three-storey houses - weight more than 48 kg. 150-300 liters;
• For large-scale construction work (multi-storey buildings, warehouses, etc.), a container weighing 162 kg is suitable. and with a capacity of 300 liters.

After that, you should pay attention to the following indicators:

1. Professional or amateur. Not everyone is ready to invest in a high-quality expensive concrete mixer, because they will rarely use it. Initially, you need to understand which class you are counting on, based on the number of planned works. If you only need to mix concrete a couple of times, you can save some money.
2. Material. There are models in steel, plastic and cast iron. Price and quality, respectively, vary. The most reliable material is cast iron.
3. Engine power. Here you need to pay attention not only to large numbers: the more, the better. The indicator should correspond to the type of work (periodic or continuous), the time of continuous work, as well as the size of the apparatus itself. For a small machine, 700 W is enough, for operation within 12 hours, 800 W is suitable, and for a constant one - from 1000 W.
4. Season. Much depends on the weather. For example, many models are not designed for winter work. The mixture will not mix well, the device will not heat up for a long time. The manufacturer usually indicates whether the concrete mixer can be used at low temperatures.
5. Voltage. Professional models require 380 volts, which is not at all suitable for home use. You should definitely pay attention to this when buying.
6. Drum strength. In case the drum looks elongated and smooth, you can be sure that it is made of thin steel. This is not very reliable. Tanks with large welded seams, usually have much thicker walls and are made of strong metal.
7. An overload sensor is a very useful thing. It will ensure the correct and safe use of the concrete mixer. There are automatic ones that turn off the motor when it overheats, which ensures its long service.
8. Loading and unloading. These processes should be as convenient as possible; for this, manufacturers install a special system consisting of auxiliary materials and special holes. Be sure to check how it works before buying, otherwise manual work, which is inconvenient.
9. Colour. Yes, this is also important. According to safety rules, it is better to choose a yellow or orange model. This way you will definitely not come across a working device at night.

It is necessary to take into account all these points to choose a decent model.

Top manufacturers

A large assortment of both domestic producers and from abroad is presented in construction stores. Models from Germany, France and Italy are still famous for the highest quality. In addition, devices from Poland and Croatia are considered good.However, it should be noted that foreign concrete mixers are much more expensive than local ones. So which firm is better? Here are the most popular manufacturers:

• GuyNoel. Quite attractive price, 3 years warranty, but there are several technical drawbacks. For example, among the models, there are often thin blades that break, inconvenient tilting mechanism.
• Limex. One of the best brands in the middle price segment. Convenient tilt mechanism, unlike the first firm. Reliable motor, burnout is excluded, good spring that rarely fails. The price is quite high.
• Altrad. Polish manufacturer. Among the advantages: high-quality blades, their deformation is excluded. However, there are more disadvantages: inconvenient tilting mechanism, in case of jamming, the engine may burn, inconvenient replacement of bearings.

Rating of the best concrete mixers for 2020

Consider the very best for home use. They are as compact and easy to use as possible. The main type of drive of the following models will be a crown, since there is a convenient unloading system, it is easy to repair, and is not expensive at a price. In addition, cast iron will be the main material of the models, since it is the most reliable. This is the best performance for a personal concrete mixer. Let's consider the most popular models according to these criteria.

Lebedyan SBR-132A.5 95446

Great model with 700 watts. It is capable of producing 64 liters of mixture at a time, while it can be partially unloaded. The concrete mixer weighs only 55 kg, and the drum volume is 132 liters. Price: from 16,000 rubles.

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Zitrek B1510 FK 024-1002

The concrete mixer which is loved by users due to its versatility and reliability. It can be used to mix both heavy and concrete mixes. Drum volume 155 liters, power 1000 W, weight 56 ​​kg, ready-made solution 110 liters. Price: 15 990 rubles.

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Limex 165 LS 024-1008

The model is from Europe, and the concrete mixers from there are always very high quality. It features a convenient mechanism for feeding the finished mixture. It produces a mixture of up to 110 liters at a time, has an average power of 700 W, weighs 65 kilograms and a drum volume of 165 liters. Price: from 16 490 rubles.

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Zitrek B 1308 FK 024-1000

A concrete mixer with a power of 800 W, a fairly small drum of 130 liters and a low weight of 52 kilograms. This model is capable of producing 80 liters of solution at a time. The main advantages are shock-resistant, durable body and portability. It is for this that she won the love of buyers. Average price: 17 890 rubles.

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Lebedyan SBR-132N / 220

Another model from Lebedyan, it is presented as a high-speed one. Indeed, it produces a mixture very quickly. The volume of the finished product is 64 liters. In addition, the model is equipped with comfortable wheels for movement and is well fixed in one place due to a special design. Very light weight - 47 kilograms, which further adds mobility to the device. The drum volume is 132 liters, and the power is only 550 W, which does not interfere with its efficiency. Average cost: 15 850 rubles.

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VORTEX BM-130

Small concrete mixer, yet durable. The motor is provided with a reliable casing that prevents overheating and engine wear. The construction is quite durable and easy to use. It is the leader among concrete mixers with a volume of 200 liters. Price: from 11,000 rubles.

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Concrete mixer at home

Sometimes it is much easier to make this device at home on your own, since buying equipment for a one-time mixing is quite pointless. How to make a concrete mixer with your own hands?

First you need to find a mixing container. It can be a plastic or metal barrel of the required volume. If not, you can try to make it yourself. Next, you need to ensure the stability of the structure. Even a tree is perfect for this. You can make a frame of metal, then the structure will be durable. Do not forget about the place for the motor and engine. Now the engine itself is needed. Can be taken from an old washing machine. It does not heat up for a long time and provides good rotation. Some people actively use a motor from a motorcycle.

It is possible to save well and gain new knowledge if you understand this. However, no one canceled manual kneading. Of course, it will take more effort, but electricity is saved.

The cheapest models

Sometimes people don't want to spend money on this thing at all. Mix the concrete once and that's it. For these purposes, any machine is suitable, as long as it works. This is why the cheapest models on the market are presented.

CM 0.25 kW 70 ml

Good model for the price. It has a steel crown and produces up to 38 liters of mixture. It requires a little voltage to work, a regular 220 W socket will do, which is a definite plus. Made in China. At the moment it is the cheapest representative of the concrete mixer segment. Price: from 5 500 rubles.

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RedVerg RD-CM100R

Excellent quality for only 6 900 rubles. Compact concrete mixer with cast iron crown, which is very reliable. The drum has a volume of 100 liters and a power of 375 W. It is capable of producing 55 liters of mixture at a time.

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These are the cheapest models on the market, while still being reasonably good for use. Sometimes you can save money without much harm to production. It is worth noting that giving 7,000 rubles for a concrete mixer, you should not rely on the convenience of the model, its good mobility and high quality parts. Prices for quality models in this segment start at 12 thousand. And still, all models have their pros and cons.

High volume concrete mixers.

Such models are suitable for large construction works and are very expensive. They are bought by people from construction companies who simply need to perform a large amount of work. The volumes of ready mixes start from 200 liters, so the machines are large and much heavier. Rating of high-quality concrete mixers for large-scale works:

RedVerg RD-CM260L

A good model from the rapidly developing TMK brand. Here there is a control over the quality of tools, so there is no doubt about the reliability of products. Designed for the preparation of mobile concrete and dry mixes. Mortars also mix easily. The type of action is gravitational, which saves energy while mixing thoroughly. Reliable and comfortable design. This model has collected all the necessary points for comfortable work.

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ZITREK ZBR MAX 600 (220 V)

The manufacturer claims that this model is suitable not only for mixing concrete in construction, but also in agricultural activities for mixing fertilizers and feed. Easy transportation and high production volume: 420 liters. There is a worm gear, which ensures an easy unloading and loading process.

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Outcome

This article provided detailed information about concrete mixers, what characteristics are the most important, and what types are. The best models from different price categories and with different purposes are presented. It is worthwhile to consciously approach the purchase of any product, which is why, before purchasing, it is worthwhile to clearly assess the scale of work and the necessary characteristics of a concrete mixer.