Feedback on 3 pt Concrete Mixer

[bialecki]

I have some concrete I need to mix and pour, ~ 6 yards and I can not get a truck in due to my septic fields, so I was interested in the 3 pt cement mixers that are now available, see

3-Point Cement Mixer, with hydraulic cylinder and PTO shaft - The Smart Farmer, LLC.

Nick has a unit he sells. It will take a full bag of cement and the appropriate mix of water sand and gravel. However, this unit requires rear hydraulics so I will need to add this to my Kubota B7800.

So has anyone ever use one and if so what are the pros and cons of the mixer?

Thanks

 

[yellowandbeige]

Bialecki,
I think I have the same mixer you are asking about and here are my observations. 6 yards would be a very big job with one of these. They will hold one 90 lb bag and the gravel and sand but that maxes them out and you won't be able to dump all the mix because the attitude of the drum will be too upright. To be able to dump cleanly all your contents you will want to mix about half that much. The pto shaft becomes pretty short when you get it hooked up so be carefull not to pull it apart running thru your full range of motion when your mixing and dumping. Also I would highly recommend trading the single acting cylinder for a double. That will give you more control. And your going to get cement dust and splash all over your tractor. For all the little problems with these mixers they still fill a nich and I like mine and use it when I need a small pour. Also gives you the luxury of mixing remotely and driving to the pour. All in all 6 yards is a lot, but you can do it.
Yellowandbeige

 

[zzvyb6]

I've a 1/3 yard mixer similar to this. I agree that 6 yards is a bit much but start and you will finish. I had a lot of fun making sidewalks, bases for water troughs, stairs, etc. I actually found it very easy. Best part is playing with it after pouring. Bet suggestion I can make is get a helper and keep the dogs inside when you are finishing it. BTW: cement is very heavy, so I needed to put some weight in my loader bucket to keep the front tires on the ground. My mix was 1 bag of cement, 25 shovels of gravel and a few bucket fulls of water. Mix for 5 - 7 minutes and presto. This has turned out to be much stronger concrete than commecial grade stuff. I have made a direct comparison. Mine has never cracked under a tractor wheel weight.

 

[bjr]

I had a pour down in a basement excavation and couldn't get trucks close to the pour. I had to call out a pumper truck. The guy gave me a big discount for being paid in cash. We poured 11 yd footing in less than a 1 hr. Check into a pump truck it may be less than you think and it takes all the work out of the mud placement. bjr