Portable cement mixer - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Woodcrafter74 · 04-17-2006, 09:03 AM

I'm looking to buy a portable cement mixer. Nothing too big, 2-3 cu/ft, with wheels. Anyone ever try the wheel-barrower style?

I'll take any recommendations?

Thanks.

Bone Saw · 04-17-2006, 09:28 AM

Darrell, I would seriously consider against a wheel barrow type and/or 2-3cu' range. The wheelbarrow will be difficult to use and get in holes on a more inclined grade, there will be ocassions where you will need to shovel crete into tubes above grade, and 2-3 ' will only handel 1 bag

. I would recomend an electric mixer of 5cu' (upright) in conjunction with a wheel barrow. 2bags/mix wheelbarrow maneuverability and shovelability. I started out with a wheelbarrow mixer and quickly ditched it for a 5cu' upright and a wheelbarrow, even though I have a mixer on the mini skid I still dump it into a wheelbarrow to place in holes

Woodcrafter74 · 04-17-2006, 01:02 PM

Good advice on the wheelbarrow type. I don't think I want something as big as 5 cu/ft though. There's a concrete place here in Delaware that rents out pull behind mixing trailers that can hold up to 2 yards--and it's even cheaper than buying the quikrete bags. So that's the way I like to go, but I do want something small for when the rental doesn't make sense.
Appreciate the input.

bcf · 04-17-2006, 05:13 PM

I bought a Big Cat brand from Lowe's last year. The thing is incredible. It's super light, used vegetable oil for lube, and handles two 80 lb. bags. The only downside is it only tips one way, and with only two wheels you have to plan out very carefully where to locate it so you can get the barrow in front, but not too far from the truck to load.

Woodcrafter74 · 04-18-2006, 12:58 PM

Thanks BCF, I've seen the one you're talking about. Wasn't sure what the quality was like, but since I'm not going to be using it constantly, sounds like it may be the way to go.