Portable Cement Mixer - What Size and What Style

[radioman]

My local hardware store is able to rent for under 20 bucks a day . Its worth it. My back sure thanks me for mixing and I can just keep going.

 

[aczlan]

My local hardware store is able to rent for under 20 bucks a day . Its worth it. My back sure thanks me for mixing and I can just keep going.

We have a store locally that loans one for 24 hours (just need to pay a security deposit) if you buy 10+ bags of quickcrete.

Aaron Z

 

[Threepoint]

Hello,
For the price, you can't beat the Harbor Freight cement mixer. [snip]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

Man, that's impressive. I'd still be mixing on that big a job even with the HF mixer.

I'd also be a little concerned about cold joints, unless there's enough help to keep the materials moving.

 

[Beltzington]

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.

Thanks TomSeller good to hear your satisfied with the model.

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.

Tough crowd, I should have said well cover, I can easily remove it when I need to get to the pump, I am only using enough concrete to create a level pad. Nine bags may not be dead-on but pretty close, I hand mixed enough concrete in my younger days to kid myself I can still do it without throwing the back out or worse.

Thanks for all the feedback.

 

[TheGoose]

That kind of well cover works quite well. I have had a lot of 4x4 sheds with not enough room to fix the pump etc. You wouldn't believe how much junk can be crammed in a 4x6 well shed besides the pump and tank.

Thanks TomSeller good to hear your satisfied with the model.



Tough crowd, I should have said well cover, I can easily remove it when I need to get to the pump, I am only using enough concrete to create a level pad. Nine bags may not be dead-on but pretty close, I hand mixed enough concrete in my younger days to kid myself I can still do it without throwing the back out or worse.

Thanks for all the feedback.

 

[flusher]

Are you sure you want to buy one for such a small job? If so, I'd just run down to your local HF in Augusta and pick up one of these: Cement Mixer - 3-1/2 Cubic Ft. Cement Mixer I borrowed my neighbor's a year or so ago to pour a small slab, and it worked great.

I've used one of those HF mixers for a dozen projects around my place. Probably run 5 tons of concrete mix through it with no trouble. I also use to mix ingredients for special soil mixtures (shrubs, bonsai, etc). Beats mixing with a hoe and/or shovel. Got mine at an HF sidewalk sale for $79.

 

[xzcVAbc5]

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.

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I'd go electric or PTO if it's something that you're not planning to use all the time. No sense in maintaining another gas engine.