Concrete mixers are frequently associated with time and labour-intensive projects. These tools are often seen in dusty construction sites, with huge piles of construction materials and people in hard hats scurrying about.
But even simple projects may benefit from the usage of a concrete mixer. Whether you need to pave a small driveway or enlarge your house, having a concrete mixer can surely hasten the construction process. People no longer need to devote a good deal of time and energy to manually mixing concrete. Even small, easy tasks are able to make use of mixers.
Whether you're a newcomer to cement mixing or an experienced building professional, understanding some of the strategies for using a mixer can do a lot in boosting your productivity and efficiency in the worksite.
1. Prep the worksite
The first thing you should do is to prepare the worksite for concrete pouring. The majority of the work comprises manual jobs like positioning the pour, cordoning it off, and pounding the ground to a level grade. Apply for the requisite permits prior to starting the job.
2. Wear proper safety equipment
Ensure that you and other workers wear personal protective gear prior to working on the cement mixer. Standard safety equipment includes a respirator, goggles, work gloves, and boots. The respirator and the gloves are particularly significant since powdered concrete is noxious as well as the dust can burn your eyes and palms.
3. Keep it close
Concrete hardens right away, so be sure to place the mixer as close to the work site as you can. Shorter travel times means simpler transportation, more excursions at shorter intervals, and less exhaustion from the hefty load.
4. Inspect the mixer
Examine the mixer's components before it's turned on, during use, and as soon as it is shut down. Make sure the mixer blades aren't bent. A quick inspection may save yourself from wasted money and time down the road.
5. Coat the surface
Apply a thin coating of industrial petroleum on the exterior of the mixer to prevent cement collecting and hardening on the surface. You might also add a light coat of fuel in the drum before mixing.
This prevents the cement from sticking with its insides. However, use diesel since gasoline changes the concrete mix, shifting its consistency.
6. Position on stable ground
Position the concrete mixer on a stable, horizontal surface, rather than irregular or sloping floor. Even if the surface is covered, make it a point to put a rigid hardboard or something similar under the mixer to guarantee stability and to prevent accidental spillage.
7. Maintain the motor clean
Concrete mixers should only be used outdoors, and all the dust flying about can reach the mixer's motor. Use an air compressor to dislodge cement and dust that may have gathered in the engine.
A clean motor operates optimally and efficiently. Additionally, you save money on expensive repairs.
8. Grease the gears
All that mixing and turning wet cement inside the drum will wear the gears and pulleys down. Regularly grease the gears, pulleys and other moving joints to counteract the stress brought on by friction. Not only will your mixer's lifespan be longer, but its performance will remain at an optimal level.
9. Drain the drum
Drain the drum of concrete instantly after it stops turning. You should not wait until the last moment to pour out the concrete, or it might harden and be impossible to eliminate. Don't use the drum to maintain mixed concrete.
10. Wash the mixer following use
Gently wash out the cement mixer after use. This is a secure and affordable way of washing the mixer out and does not involve using abrasive chemicals.
Leave a mixture of two scoops of gravel combined with three gallons of water for 15 to 25 minutes to ensure the best outcome. Do not forget to adjust the drum angle to ensure that all nooks and crannies are attained.