Portable Cement Mixer - What Size and What Style

[oosik]

I have an electric mixer - IMER 5cu ft. I got this because I can drag it to locations on the property, along with my generator, where I can not get with the tractor. I think I last used it about 4-5 years ago - otherwise it sits in the shed. Its only used for small 2-3 or 4 bag projects. Anything bigger I would call the guy with the mobile mix truck.

 

[BHD]

if the amount is not that much, a mortar hoe and a wheel barrow or even the mini mortar hoe works well,

I would think if one want to spend some money get a PTO mixer, at least the size is such that you can mix some mud with it, and it being on a tractor you can back up the tractor to put gravel in, then to the truck with the cement in it, and then transport the mixed cement to the place it is needed, I would not buy any thing less than 8 cubic feet.

if you have pressure washer use that to clean up your mixer and tools, saves a lot of effort,

 

[ultrarunner]

I bought HF cheap mixer some years ago. Still there, still works.
This looks like it is good to go: Cement Mixer - 3-1/2 Cubic Ft. Cement Mixer
View attachment 408784
not a high volume setup- but it will always work.

I too bought a Harbor Freight Mixer used for $100...

So far over a thousand 60 lb sacks and counting...

Only issue was having to put locktite on a few bolts.

Not a monster... yet found it to be a good value...

Two sacks work well... three and it bogged down too much.

 

[crazyal]

For a couple of bags I just do it in a wheelbarrow. If more than that I have access to both a stand alone and a PTO mixer. I always go for the PTO mixer. Being able to back up to my tailgate, slide a few bags into the mixer, add water, and then let it mix as I drive to where I want it. Occasionally it's too big to get to where I want it but that's kind of rare.

 

[TomSeller]

I need to mix some several bags of concrete to create a small foundation for a well house and I was planning on buying a PTO Mixer until I read many comments from fellow TBN members. I foresee using this many times over the years so durability and function are important.

Most of the threads are several years old so what are folks buying today? The two-wheel roll around looks like it removes the wheelbarrow from the mix , but the stands they sell with it look unstable and poorly considered. Also, what size in cubic feet?

Right now I am considering a 3.5cuft wheel-barrow type poly drum with a 3/4hp electric motor. However you can get these in either direct drive or chain driven or gas engine.

I have a portable generator so I see no need for a gas engine but appreciate your comments.

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/projects/408701-portable-cement-mixer-what-size-cm-jpg"/>

I have the Kushlan wheelbarrow style mixer shown in your first post. So far I have mixed sixty 80lb bags and it works quite well. I have another 60 bags to mix in the next month. My batches are too small for a professional to fool with. I like mixing it and with a long extension cord, wheeling it to the form and pouring the concrete in. Eliminates the wheelbarrow like you say. I have not used the stand. It is real good for a few bags at a time too. It holds two 80 lb bags easily at one time. I also have a portable generator so they travel well to remote locations on the farm. Grease the shafts at each use.

 

[downsizingnow48]

I also have an Imer mixer with Honda engine. Don't use it much anymore but it is perfect for small jobs.

 

[MFWD]

Hello,
For the price, you can't beat the Harbor Freight cement mixer. I bought mine years ago and still have it. I usually can mix 2 80lb. bags in it at once, but I think I have maybe done 3 at a time before also. I think that 3 bags does seem to make it too full to get a good mix without spilling some of the mix. The mixer comes with cheap hard (solid) wheels that make the mixer thump every time it rotates. I have named my mixer "Thumper" for that reason !!!!! However, I fixed that problem. I took off those wheels and made axle stubs on the metal lathe and welded them into the ends of the tube axle on the mixer. Then I could put on a pair of those 10" pneumatic wheels and they acted like shock absorbers every time the mixer rotated. It took all the hard thump away. I also ended up putting a new electrical switch on it, but other than that, it works great. It's a heck of a lot easier than trying to mix it in a wheelbarrow or a mortar pan. I used it to mix all the mortar when I laid the foundation wall for a large 3 car garage that I built. I'd still be mixing the mortar if I had to do it by hand !!!!!! Good luck !!!

MFWD

 

[TheGoose]

Found out my local Home Depot rents these exact mixers for $50/day. I'll go that route for this job, it will allow me to pour the foundation and try out the mixer to see if I like it. Only going to be about 9 bags and no one local will deliver such a small load. The mix on site is a cool idea but again no one local. Thanks.

9 bags of concrete mix? Sounds like you are making one of those well houses that is every Wellman's nightmare.
I've been in a lot of well sheds and the best I have seen are about 6x6. That leaves enough room for the tank and a softener or filter if you need it. You will need about 20 bags.

 

[drizler]

You never said how big the pour was. If it's much over a yard it's going to take you 3 or so hours(just for a yard) with two people working non stop filling pails and dumping them and pails of water into the thing. If you can find one of those outfits that does small batches you will probably find it's almost the same price as buying the ingredients with trucking fees being what they are.
Around here a load of sand (triaxle) is $130 and crushed stone $400. You might as well buy a whole truck load and then what do you do with all the leftover stone and sand? It's no biggie for me but some folks don't want to look at it. Around here we only have one place if you aren't doing 5 yards you get stuck with the delivery fee which is at least $75.
All that aside a mixer is a handy thing to have . When I want to fill holes and low spots I can just go dig my own top soil and run it through the mixer mixed with 50/50 sand. When you dump it all you have to do is pick out the sod chunks to stick on bare spots or where your tractor tore up the law n. If you do take to mixing cement in a mixer make darned sure you hi pressure hose clean it IMMEDIATELY after. Same goes for trowl and tools then smear some old oil on the tools. If you wait till tomorrow you won't be happy. You see nice old mixers around all the time on Craigs List.

 

[TheGoose]

The OP said it was 9 bags. I would mix it up in a wheel barrow with two hoe's one or two bags at a time.