Concrete mixers actively use in their work not only professional construction crews, but also home craftsmen who use them to carry out both large and small construction works. At first glance, it is very difficult to determine which concrete mixer is the best from those sold in construction stores. In this material we will try to answer this question by comparing the technical characteristics of these devices, their advantages and disadvantages of specific models.
Content:
What is better concrete mixer forced or gravity type
To understand which concrete mixer is best to buy, you need to determine several items:
- For what purpose and in what conditions will they use the device;
- How much concrete mix should be obtained in one batch;
- What type of mixture should be obtained (liquid and soft or thick and hard).
All concrete mixers are divided into two types according to the principle of operation: forced and gravity. Some are more suitable for large-scale construction, while others are more convenient for homework. Consider in detail each type.
The principle of operation of forced concrete mixers
In forced concrete mixers, the drum does not rotate, and the mixing of the components occurs due to the rotation of the screw that is installed inside the drum. Thanks to this design, the concrete mixer copes with the preparation of not only liquid, but also viscous solutions. Due to the constant rotation of the screw, the concrete mixer produces a homogeneous plastic mixture. Such devices are used for large-scale construction work when it is necessary to obtain a large volume of a liquid mixture. Buying such a device in order to fill the garden paths in the country, there is no point. Since this purchase is expensive and will not justify the money spent.
The principle of operation of gravity concrete mixers
If you are interested in which concrete mixer is best for the home, then you should pay attention to the gravity type action device. His work is based on the rotation of the drum itself, the blades that are inside remain not movable. With the help of a gravity concrete mixer, it is possible to carry out repair and construction work in the house without involving a construction team and renting professional equipment. Using a small device, you can independently produce concrete and concrete mixtures of various ductility in the right amount.
For professional construction work, it is better to use a forced-type concrete mixer. For homework, it’s better to buy a gravity type device.
What gravity-type concrete mixers are better crown or gear
When choosing which concrete mixer is best to buy among gravity-type devices, note that according to the principle of transmitting torque from the engine to the drum, they can be of two types: gear and crown.
Between themselves, these two types differ in several ways:
- at cost;
- the principle of work;
- reliability and uptime;
- the possibility of repair and its cost.
Features of gear units
The gear-type concrete mixers have a separate gear in a closed case, which is reliably protected from sand, cement or gravel. These units are more reliable and create less noise. However, at the same time they require more careful operation and compliance with its conditions. If the gearbox nevertheless fails, then it is quite difficult to repair it. It is not worth undertaking this process yourself.Repair of such a device is almost equal to the cost of a new device.
Features of coronal devices
Crown type concrete mixers are distinguished by an open mechanism, since the gear stamping is mounted around the circumference of the concrete mixer drum. It is exposed to building mixtures, wears out during operation, but is not whimsical in operation and maintenance. Repairing a crown-type mechanism is much easier.
The most popular are crown devices. They have earned their popularity due to the simple and clear design, which is easy to repair. Despite the fact that gearboxes are more reliable and more durable in operation, they are expensive to repair and hard to find a master who can do this. On coronets, you can pick up parts in specialized stores or order in online stores, and you can fix them yourself.
Which crown of concrete mixer is more reliable
If you make a rating of concrete mixers for reliability, then, firstly, you need to pay attention to the material from which the crown is made. It is he who is responsible for the life of the concrete mixer.
Cast iron
Most of the mid-range concrete mixers are equipped with cast iron crowns. The cast iron crown is simple to manufacture: the cast iron melt is poured into the mold; after solidification, the workpiece requires minimal processing. The inexpensive cost of the material and the simple method of manufacturing parts form the relatively low cost of the finished crown and drive gear. This is the main plus of the cast iron product.
There are several disadvantages at once:
- Cast iron is a brittle material, with mechanical action, the part may break;
- With repeated use, the teeth wear out;
- During operation, the heavy cast iron crown makes a lot of noise.
Comparing the pros and cons, we can conclude that a concrete mixer with a cast-iron crown is worth buying for unsystematic use at low and medium loads.
Steel
Steel is a very strong and reliable material that does not wear off as quickly as cast iron and does not burst when dropped or impacted. By the way, the steel crown is much less noisy during operation. However, it costs an order of magnitude more expensive than iron. This is due to the manufacturing process of the part. First, the red-hot metal composition is poured into a mold and cooled. After extraction, they are adjusted using special equipment (they are ground and grinded). In addition, the steel is hardened. All these processes increase the cost of the part, but at the same time contribute to its strength and reliability.
It is advisable to buy a device with a steel crown for daily hours of construction work carried out both on the street and indoors.
Plastic
A crown of plastic is the cheapest of these. It does not require large financial and production costs in the manufacture. Another plus of the plastic crown is its silent operation and its light weight. The disadvantages include the rapid wear of the teeth, which are erased from friction with the gear.
You can buy this type of device for small work at home. But in this case, you are not protected from the need for an immediate replacement of the crown.
Polyamide
Polyamide is a modern durable and lightweight material, which began to be used in the manufacture of concrete mixers not so long ago. It is not inferior to steel in strength, and plastic in lightness. In addition, the material is resistant to high temperatures. Therefore, it is able to withstand heavy loads in the hot summer period, without deforming and without erasing. Synthetic material is also resistant to natural factors - it does not rust from water, does not respond to the effects of many abrasive products. Among the advantages of a polyamide crown: strength; durability; ease; resistance to heat; resistance to electrical breakdown; collapsible ring design, simplifying parsing and repair; quiet work.
Concrete mixers equipped with this type of crown are perfect for daily continuous work, both indoors and outdoors.
Any crown, whether it is made of plastic or steel, is a toothed ring fixed around the drum. It drives the drum by means of a gear transmitting movement from the engine.In the process of frequent operation, the teeth of the crown are erased together with the teeth of the gear under the action of friction and vibration. However, after wear, these parts can be replaced.
Also, the following factors affect the wear of parts:
- Ambient temperature;
- Leakage of water into the drive mechanism during rain;
- The ingress of sand, water or a finished change into an unprotected mechanism;
- Incorrect assembly of the device;
- Shocks, mechanical damage, falling filled device.
Rating of the best concrete mixers according to user reviews
Next, we present to your attention the reliability rating of concrete mixers based on user feedback.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zitrek B1510 FK 024-1002 | Lebedyan SBR-132A.5 95446 | Limex 165 LS 024-1008 | Zitrek B 1308 FK 024-1000 | Lebedyan SBR-132N / 220 | |||||||
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| type of drive | Crown | Crown | Crown | Crown | Gearbox | ||||||
| Crown material | Cast iron | Cast iron | Cast iron | Cast iron | - | ||||||
| Power, W | 1000 | 700 | 700 | 800 | 550 | ||||||
| Drum volume, l | 155 | 132 | 165 | 130 | 132 | ||||||
| The volume of the finished solution, l | 110 | 64 | 110 | 80 | 64 | ||||||
| Weight, kg | 56 | 55 | 65 | 52 | 47 | ||||||
| Dimensions, mm | 1240x790x1350 | 1140x740x1290 | 1220 x 790 x 1355 | 1240x790x1250 | 1090x700x1410 | ||||||
Concrete mixer Zitrek B1510 FK 024-1002
+ Pros of Zitrek B1510 FK 024-1002
- Fast uniform mixing;
- Powerful model
- Really intended for the manufacture of a heavy mixture;
- Easy transportation after purchase.
- Cons Zitrek B1510 FK 024-1002
- When assembling, there are problems with the size of the holes for the bolts, many customers expand them on their own;
- Noisy during work;
- Requires mandatory cleaning after use.
Results: Zitrek B1510 has a drum volume of 155 liters, at the outlet it produces a concrete mixture of 110 liters in 2 minutes. The drum is equipped with a cast-iron crown, rotates due to a powerful engine of 1000 watts. Zitrek B1510 is designed to work on a small construction site or at home, suitable for mixing heavy concrete mixtures.
Concrete mixer Lebedyan SBR-132A.5 95446
+ Pros Lebedyan SBR-132A.5 95446
- Strong case and drum;
- Reliable blades;
- It withstands overloads (customers loaded the drum instead of the recommended weight of 64 liters to 100 liters).
- Cons Lebedyan SBR-132A.5 95446
- Insecurity of the drive shaft bearing (contaminated with a solution during operation, requires mandatory cleaning);
- During operation, the engine cover is heated, the fans do not have time to cool it;
- During operation, the starter breaks (the part is easily repaired, you can buy it for replacement).
Results: The concrete mixer is equipped with a cast-iron crown, kneads 64 liters of concrete and concrete mortar in 2 minutes, it is possible to add a concrete fraction no larger than 4 cm. A feature of the model is the ability to partially extract the mixture as needed due to the fixed inclination of the drum.
Concrete mixer Limex 165 LS 024-1008
+ Pros of LIMEX 165 LS 024-1008
- Large volume of the drum;
- It is convenient to extract the resulting solution in the right amount thanks to the clamps;
- It is convenient to move around the site due to the wheels and a special handle.
- Cons LIMEX 165 LS 024-1008
- It does not withstand overload, if instead of the indicated norm the device is overloaded, the bearing breaks;
- The engine cover is warming;
- For some customers, the starter button fails.
Results: The model was made in Europe, intended for the production of mortars and concrete mixtures up to 110 liters. for one batch, equipped with a cast-iron crown. It features a convenient dosed method of supplying the finished mixture due to the retainer. It can be transported on a construction site due to strong wheels and a convenient handle.
Concrete mixer Zitrek B 1308 FK 024-1000
+ Pros ZITREK B 1308 FK 024-1000
- The design is really solid;
- Easy to transport and assemble;
- Not much noise.
- Cons ZITREK B 1308 FK 024-1000
- Those who assembled the model on their own for the first time had difficulty in assembling.
Results: The device is characterized by a reinforced shockproof housing equipped with a cast-iron crown, suitable for the manufacture of various concrete mixtures in the conditions of home repair work or a small construction site. Knead 80 liters of solution in 2 minutes. The model moves around the site due to the wheels and a convenient handle.
Concrete mixer Lebedyan SBR-132N / 220
+ Pros Lebedyan SBR-132N / 220
- Almost silent model;
- Quickly kneads a solution of good quality;
- No open parts, such as gear, ring gear or belt drive;
- The drum is deployed around itself, due to which it is possible to unload the mixture, deploy and load the components without moving the concrete mixer (this feature is appreciated by those who are forced to work in tight rooms);
- Easy assembly
- Cons Lebedyan SBR-132N / 220
- There is no lock for varying degrees of tilt of the drum;
- The engine cover is heating up.
Results: The model is positioned as high-speed, at a time produces up to 64 liters of concrete mix or concrete. The device is equipped with wheels, it moves easily around the construction site, and at the same time it is securely fixed in the workplace due to a special handle. The design is reinforced with a bolted connection.