Volumetric Concrete Mixer – Pros and Cons

Volumetric concrete mixers fill a gap in the market for flexible short run concrete supply. Like any equipment there are volumetric concrete mixer pros and cons and misinformation in the marketplace.

Five myths dispelled

Myth #1: Volumetric concrete mixing is a new and unproven technology

• 1965 – Patent granted for the Concrete-Mobile
• Over 2,500 Concrete-Mobiles were produced by 1980
• Over 10,000 Volumetric Concrete Mixers produced by 2000
• In use in every state in the United States, and over half of all countries in the world
• Used by the U.S. Military, many State and Local Departments of Transportation and many Cities

 

Myth #2: Volumetric concrete mixers cannot match the accuracy and consistency of a batch plant

• Same tolerances on all materials
• More restrictions on ready mix as water-cement contact occurs at the plant, not at the job site
• ACI 304.6R “Guide for the Use of Volumetric-Measuring” VMMB (NRMCA) approval and specification
• One significant factor is jobsite control of proportioning and mixing

 

Myth #3: Volumetric concrete mixers don’t produce “good concrete” (e.g. not enough mix time)

• Many examples of quality concrete:
  • Bridge deck overlays
  • Airport runway repairs
  • Structural elements
  • Pool builders, Soil retention
  • Pervious concrete
  • Light weight concrete by foam and lightweight aggregates

 

Myth #4: Volumetric concrete mixers cannot handle large production pours or projects

• A single piece of equipment can be reloaded at the jobsite – No time or fuel wasted in transit
• Volumetric equipment is capable of production rates in excess of 69 cubic metres per hour
• Many examples of large scale projects done with volumetrics
• Common volumetric model on the market today will produce .76 of cubic metre of concrete per minute

 

Myth #5: Volumetric mixers are too complex to operate and have too long a learning curve

• Like other jobsite equipment, proper training of operators is a must
• An operator of a volumetric mixer must have more training than a typical barrel mixer operator – “batch plant on wheels”
• We offer extensive training in the operation, maintenance and calibration of their equipment
• Typical “day-to-day” operation is straight-forward and repeatable.