Concrete mixer (PTO)

[Alex_Mendoza]

Does anyone out there own or have used a 3 point hitch pto concrete mixer? Ever since I bought my tractor I have found so many uses for the darn thing it is making my life easier.
Please share your input I was considering buying one but before I shell out the money I want to make sure it works well.
Thanks again for your input.

Alex

 

[Henro]

I thought about buying one in the past...but after reading some previous threads here I gave up on the idea...

Unfortunately, I can't remember why... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I am sure someone will chime in with some specifics... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Junkman]

My concrete mixer is not a 3ph model, but a stand alone unit with an electric motor. I bought it 20 years ago when I first started building my home. I did use it a few times, but rapidly realized that if it is a small job, that mixing the concrete in a pan was quicker and if I needed a lot of concrete for the job, that the truck delivery was less expensive money wise and effort wise. I still own it, but haven't used it in more years than I care to remember. It is one of those things that seems like a good idea in the beginning and then practicality takes over and it never gets used..... My wife has a lot of those type items in the kitchen. By the time she get it out to use and then has the clean up time, the bowl and spoon or knife are the faster method... Now, the leaf vac or the York rake........ those are definitely worth it.......

 

[Deerlope]

I don't own one but used one to build a garage. If you buy one get the kind that has the inflatable rubber tire that drives the drum. The hard rubber tire type slip. As build yourself a raised hopper to fill with the FEL(gravel&cement) Then just open the chute gate to fill the mixer &add water and by the time you drive to the dump area it is mixed and ready for dumping. When I built my garage I did not build a hopper and I ended up hand shoveling 4 tandem loads into that "D####" mixer. Oh well live and learn.

 

[centex]

I have one and it works but there are some problems with it. First, the drive line has to be so short that you are very limited in how much you can lift or lower the mixer. It is a bad application for a PTO device because dumping the mixer is likely to cause the maximum allowed angle for the u-joint at the mixer to be exceeded if you are not careful. If I try to raise the mixer high enough to dump the load into a wheelbarrow the drive shaft will have too little engagement between its two halves and the angle of the ujoint will be exceeded which could cause it to bind and break. I don't think I would buy one if I had it to do over again but would just buy a large stand alone unit and rig it up so I could tow it with the tractor. Still, I have mixed a lot of concrete in the 3 point unit.

The reason I wanted this thing was that I had to pour concrete in remote locations where there is no electricity available and using the PTO to power the mixer seemed like the ideal solution. What I forgot was that I still needed to have running water available so I have to tow a water tank and generator around anyway.

Oh by the way, you have to have a hydraulic connection for the dump cylinder. If I remember correctly it cost me around $250 for the third SCV kit for my tractor in addition to the $700 for the mixer. Of course you could just buy a long hose and use one of the FEL connections.

 

[Spencer]

Alex, the post made by Centex has some great points in it. On my New Holland TC33D I had a terrible time trying to get my 3-point cement mixer to work properly. I had to have the driveshaft so short that I was unable to lift the cement mixer up high enough to dump the load out completely. Again, Centex has explained this much better than I could. Luckily, I got my tractor dealer to take the mixer back and give me credit towards another implement. I have since then bought a stand alone wheelbarrow type cement mixer with a 3 h.p. Honda engine. I have not had much chance to use it yet but I can already tell that I will be much happier with it.

 

[Inspector507]

I've heard so many complaints about the PTO mixers. And I have, so far, had electric everywhere I needed the mixer, I bought the cheapie electric one from Harbor Freight. $179.00. I do use the FEL to transport it around though..... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It'll work for what I need it for here at the house. Poured a small slab for my generator to set on. 10 bags of Quickrete (800 lbs). Did it in about 30 mins. or so. Made 3 pours.

 

[rambler]

I got a very good looking old 3pt mixer for $125. Works great. Has the pto going low, long shaft, small gearbox, and a belt up the side to run the mixer. I have none of the problems the others talk about, the nice thing is being able to back up & dump into a 3' high or more form.

--->Paul

 

[WVBill]

I did a similar thing. Bought an inexpensive electric mixer from Tractor Supply but instead of mounting the "head" on the supplied stand, I mounted it in my FEL bucket.

Raised it up to the level of my pickup truck bed, dumped in the sacks of Quickcrete without lifting, tipped the bucket back, plugged it in and added water. When mixed, unplugged it, drove to where I needed the 'crete and dumped the bucket/mixer. Drove back, repeated. I've got pictures of my setup on my other computer. Will post tonight if anyone's interested.

 

[GregJ]

I'm interested in seeing those pics.... Your idea makes a lot of sense, if I am visualizing it correctly.

Greg