Recommendation for cement mixer

[newbury]

I've a (to me) major project http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/244190-another-concrete-drive-slope-project.html and a minor project, an entry walkway of about 30', and know if I get a cement mixer I'll use it several times a year.

Back in the early '60's I used one for two summers building a cement block foundation. Didn't need a gym. So I know how to use one.

This thread recommends the HF twice.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/149615-where-get-decent-concrete-mixer.html

It's $200 now. Lowes has one for $300.

Any TBN advice?

 

[20 20]

I just purchased the one from lowes 4+cubic, I'm happy with it. I like the idea of the extra rollers supporting the drum. Not only is it used for cement but it works great for mixing feed

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Stand alone or 3 point?

3 point is sometimes like the girl at the end of the bar at 10:00 pm. The next day you wake up and say, "it seemed like a good idea at the time."

 

[rtimgray]

I bought one of the used HF mixers a few years ago and have used it often to mix concrete and mortar. No problems at all with it - and I was able to get it for $55 at a flea market (I did have to replace a few bolts that were missing, but that was it).

Good luck

 

[Stimw]

I bought one of the HF $200. on sale and have used it a couple times and found that it did a good job.
One job I mixed 28 bags of 60# Sakrete (it holds 1 1/2 bags at a time or 1 90#). It mixes fast and with a wheelbarrow to dump in it went pretty well.

 

[skipmarcy]

I used one of the ones from Lowes on a job a few years ago and mixed several hundred bags of various concrete products in it - a very good unit. I bought one earlier this year for myself and so far have mixed 75, 80 lb. bags of Quickrete and about 15, 50 lb. bags of surface bonding cement - still the same excellent unit as the other one. Yea, I can't see using one without those support wheels the Lowes model has, I would imagine the bearings in the gearbox would wear-out in no time compared to this one. I plan to have mine for many years to come. By the way, I mount mine on top of a pallet strapping the rear legs down and this allows you to pour into a contractor wheelbarrow without the unit tipping or anything.

 

[jmanatee2]

I have one of the bigger HF ones (they sell two one 1.25 cf and one 3.5 cf )

I have mixed a lot in it now. I put 3 60lb bags in it at a time, mixes it no problem.

Very happy with mine.

 

[CurlyDave]

I have one from Lowes. I took my time assembling it and used Locktite on every threaded fastener. This adds a lot to the life of the unit by preventing it from becoming wobbly when nuts & bolts loosen.

I have had it for over 4 years, one house build (over 1000 sq. ft. of rock veneer) and a few hundred square feet of block wall at a second location. It is still going strong. I rinse it out carefully after each use. I am thinking I have put 2 or 3 lifetimes of homeowner use on it. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

 

[CurlyDave]

I have one from Lowes. I took my time assembling it and used Locktite on every threaded fastener. This adds a lot to the life of the unit by preventing it from becoming wobbly when nuts & bolts loosen.

I have had it for over 4 years, one house build (over 1000 sq. ft. of rock veneer) and a few hundred square feet of block wall at a second location. It is still going strong. I rinse it out carefully after each use. I am thinking I have put 2 or 3 lifetimes of homeowner use on it. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

 

[ultrarunner]

Careful Assembly is more then half the battle.

I'm a big fan of Loctite Products... one tube will go a long way to keep things together and limit corrosion.