Cement mixer recommendations sought

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Cement mixer recommendations sought
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Mutton

Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 1508

Posted: Fri Mar 29, 13 1:03 pm Post subject: Cement mixer recommendations sought
We've got quite a few jobs coming up needing cement or concrete. (Best way to do them, tried laying rocks not worked.) Thinking about buying a mixer. Some of the jobs are not accessible by a concrete delivery lorry. (Might then sell the mixer on when we've done the jobs.) So any recommendations on make? On electric or petrol motor? Second hand? Best places to buy?

cassy

Joined: 04 Feb 2008
Posts: 1047
Location: South West Scotland

Posted: Fri Mar 29, 13 1:59 pm Post subject:
I'm very interested to see what replies and advice you get as we're in a similar position. Unfortunately I've not started researching yet (little matter of building regs first) so have no info to add, sorry.

Toffer

Joined: 01 Nov 2009
Posts: 247
Location: Sutton St Edmund, Lincs

Posted: Fri Mar 29, 13 3:06 pm Post subject:
What sort of jobs do you have to do? World of difference between the sort of mixer for doing bricklaying and post concrete and one that will handle laying foundations or floating hardstanding

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Fri Mar 29, 13 3:55 pm Post subject:

Mutton, some weird member asked a few years ago.

https://forum.downsizer.net/about43325.html

I'd still recommend the Belle, since that post I've helped out a builder with two mixers, one a Belle and one not and he much preferred the Belle. Both were electric and ran happily on a generator so unless you really need a petrol one I'd get an electric.

If you're not in a rush I waited to buy mine when the shop had a VAT free sale on, saved a fair bit.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Fri Mar 29, 13 3:57 pm Post subject:
Good that you're not rushing in to anything though.

12Bore

Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Posts: 9089
Location: Paddling in the Mersey

Posted: Fri Mar 29, 13 4:25 pm Post subject:
Hmmm, maybe another dose of looking at may be called for?

Gervase

Joined: 17 Nov 2004
Posts: 8655

Posted: Fri Mar 29, 13 5:22 pm Post subject:

Go for the Belle. Honda engine petrol is good, but costs significantly more than electric. The electic will run fine from a 2Kw generator. If you go for second-hand, remember that a new drum can be had for about �70, so if someone is letting go a used machine at a silly price because of a set mix in the drum or a drum that's bashed out of shape, that's easily sorted.
Where are you? I have a 110v immaculate Belle in West Wales if you're interested...

vegplot

Joined: 19 Apr 2007
Posts: 21301
Location: Bethesda, Gwynedd

Posted: Fri Mar 29, 13 5:27 pm Post subject:
I had a Belle once. It was stolen and therefore must be good to have.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46211
Location: yes

Posted: Fri Mar 29, 13 7:05 pm Post subject:
im with them a good second hand will keep value (and do the job ) tis the stand's stability and lever action that sorts the carp from the best ive mixed lots ,best advice is set up to load from above and discharge below , tis fairly easy to arrange if there is a lot of mixing to do even if you build your own 3 step drop

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46211
Location: yes

Posted: Fri Mar 29, 13 7:10 pm Post subject:
the 3 step drop can be done with a mixer on the floor and a front loader bucket on a tractor or digger if available

onemanband

Joined: 26 Dec 2010
Posts: 1473
Location: NCA90

Posted: Sat Mar 30, 13 12:49 am Post subject: Re: Cement mixer recommendations sought

Mutton wrote:

We've got quite a few jobs coming up needing cement or concrete. (Best way to do them, tried laying rocks not worked.)

Thinking about buying a mixer. Some of the jobs are not accessible by a concrete delivery lorry. (Might then sell the mixer on when we've done the jobs.)

So any recommendations on make? On electric or petrol motor? Second hand? Best places to buy?

How inaccessible ? Are you aware of 'Mixamate' or 'Easymix' (that's the companies round this way) ? They only mix what you need and charge for what you use. Unlike a traditional concrete lorry they will discharge into wheelbarrows and their waiting time allowance/charges are sensible. For quantities over 1 or 2 cubic meters I only save �20(materials) a cubic meter with hand-mix - it's a no-brainer - pay extra �20 and save time, effort and no mess.
You can also get concrete trucks with conveyors that can discharge something like 6m away.

As for mixers the Belle 150 ( the orange one) is the one to get. Nothing wrong with electric so only get petrol if you really need it.
The 130 is also a good mixer. I use my 130 more than my 150 as I can lift it on and off my truck on my own.
All Belle parts are readily available.
I've used non-Belle mixers a couple of times and they are crap in comparison.

Mutton

Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 1508

Posted: Sat Mar 30, 13 9:07 am Post subject:
Oops on not remembering I'd already asked this. Yup, the projects have been subject to a few delays....... Its a mix of block laying, rendering and hardstanding. One hardstanding is next to the road (no problems with lorry delivery there). The other is across a field with a very rough stone track that is grassed over. Thanks everyone for your help, much appreciated.

Mutton

Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 1508

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 13 10:19 am Post subject:
Thanks everyone. We decided on the Belle 130 and its been very good. The being small enough to lift up we decided was also an important factor. Now used it to mix a run of loads of mortar and a small load of concrete - did a nice job.

Mutton

Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 1508

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 14 6:58 pm Post subject:
And one year on we are still pleased with it. Just thought I'd let folks know. Not used it massively, probably less than 100 loads over the last year, but it has worked reliably and made life easier.

onemanband

Joined: 26 Dec 2010
Posts: 1473
Location: NCA90

Posted: Thu Sep 11, 14 9:18 pm Post subject:

Mutton wrote:

Not used it massively, probably less than 100 loads over the last year, but it has worked reliably and made life easier.

That's barely run in

I'd guesstimate an average of a ton a week for mine - that's say 20 loads a week for 7 years - that's IRO 7000 loads / 350 ton.
It ain't pretty now - it's always lived outside, is often cleaned with a hammer and has needed some welding.

When new they look a bit cheaply made in places, but to be fair all the repairs on mine are a result of abuse or falling from heights

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