Concrete mixer with own hands

It's hard to imagine any kind of construction without technological processes with the use of cement mortars. And for the owners of their own country house, with their permanent state of "permanent" repair and improvement of the territory, concreting in general is a very demanded operation - it is necessary to fill the garden paths, the foundation under the gazebo, then renew the blind area, then put the fence. .. In short, literally on each step requires the production of concrete - the difference is only in the scale of the event.

Many individual builders prefer not to fool with independent mixing of the mortar - this can be avoided if nearby has a factory JBI or another enterprise that provides services for the manufacture of concrete and for its delivery to the work site. But, firstly, it costs a lot of money. Secondly, not all such opportunities are present. And, thirdly, far not there is always a sense sl pr and run to such services for reasons of small scale construction or repair tasks - it will be either just ridiculous, or extremely unprofitable.

Easier - make the right amount of solution yourself. This, of course, can be done manually, but it is better to buy( lease) a concrete mixer or show yourself as a real master: for the future, make yourself a concrete mixer with your own hands.

The article will consider several models of self-made concrete mixers - from the simplest to the ones that already little than differ from the samples presented in stores.

Brief - what are mixers

On a large account , you can prepare a concrete solution and at all without any adaptations. Some masters even like like to work in the old fashion, mixing with nt with sand and with other components( if necessary), and then gradually adding the right amount of water. Used for this are large tanks with low sides, factory or even self-made, knocked out of boards and trimmed with thin metal.

Some people prefer and do without containers , making the preparation of the solution just on the prepared level ground. However, in any case the procedure of mixing with a shovel or hoe first dry components, and then with water - it is very time-consuming process, taking a lot of forces still in the preliminary stage, before the concreting. And if the work is planned quite large, then this approach will not justify itself.

Building mixers or nozzles for a drill - they will be more for dry construction mixtures or composite polymeric materials. Sand with cement for them is already enough heavy "test", and if still there is a need to add gravel, to gravel or expanded clay, then the mixer or drill can be safely put aside: not only is the quality, homogeneousbatch not will achieve , so is still and there is a great risk of overheating the reducer or electric drive of the device.

Concrete mixers( concrete mixers) manage this task, which differ not only in size, with capacity and drive power, but also with the principle of its operation.

Forced Mixing Principle

The compulsory principle is the mixing of the solution components in a fixed of the .It is carried out for account circular shaft movements with blades, connected to the mechanical drive.(Work with a construction mixer or a drill with a nozzle can also be safely attributed to the forced principle of kneading).

The installation layout can be different. Thus, the working drum can be a vertically disposed cylinder of small height, in which the blade-blades rotate on the vertical axis( as in the figure above).

Another option is when the itself is positioned horizontally, and the blade shaft is also oriented horizontally. Below is a schematic diagram of such a concrete mixer - how to know, possible, to someone it will serve as a prototype for self-manufacturing.

In the drawing, the numerals indicate:

1 - drum body, in which the mixes are made.

2 - frame, on which all units of the unit are mounted.

3 - Electric drive. In this case, with such dimensions of the mixer, the power will be optimal on the order of 5 ÷ 6 kW.

4 - control and control elements: switch tumblers, indicator lights.

5 - Bottom hatch( shutter) - for unloading the finished solution into the bottom .

6 - lever to open the shutter.

7 - safety grating , installed for the time of kneading.

8 - gear reducer for the transfer of rotation from the electric drive to the working shaft.

9 - protective casing belt drive .

10 - safety coupling.

11 is a working shaft with blades installed on the for mixing the solution.

The unloading of the ready-made mortar can be organized in a different way - the working drum is attached to the frame not rigidly , but to the hinge. When the concrete is mixed, it is locked in the working position. And , in order for the to remove the finished solution, the tank is removed from the stopper, and with the help of a special lever it turns in the suspension pins. The solution is then unloaded into the tank, which is supplied through the upper loading hatch.

Concrete mixers make it possible to achieve very high homogeneity of the solution. They are actively used in industrial conditions, in construction, in private practice. However, they are not devoid of significant shortcomings:

• In working it is often impossible to avoid creating " dead zones" - along the walls, especially in the corners. It is not easy to adjust the blades with a minimum clearance to the inner walls of the cylinder, , especially as the under these conditions causes permanent wear of friction parts.
• Constructional complexity - it is necessary reliable leakproof protection of the node in the rotation( bearing blocks) on the working shaft from the aggressive action of the cement slurry.
• Prepare in a concrete mixer solution with medium or coarse filler - almost impossible. But for plastering and finishing works, using ready-made construction mixtures - this is the most optimal option.

Gravity mixing

Gravitational mixing principle - the components of the solution are mixed under the action of their own gravity. A good example is to put two different products in the glass jar, for example, two types of cereals, close the lid and start rotating. - will begin stirring.

It is clear that such an approach in a "pure" form does not provide a quality solution preparation, or it will take too long to achieve an acceptable consistency. In industrial conditions, this method is not used, but for household needs a small simple concrete mixer can be made.

The drawing shows a canister - it is convenient from the point of tight closing the lid. But, in principle, almost any capacity can be used, if the host thinks of a reliable close for the time of solution mixing.

The rotation axis can be secured from the outside of the - not the , the will have to seal the pass through the wall in this case. But the still better its do-through - such an artificial obstacle with gravitational mixing of the solution will slightly increase its quality.

On the Internet you can find many interesting solutions for the manufacture of such simple concrete mixers from improvised means. Very often you go old iron barrels. To make a stand - probably, not a single good house master will have any special difficulties.

The most difficult, probably - again, think over the question of a tight fitting hatch, which in the open state will allow loading the components of the mixture and pouring water, and in closed, with stirring, will not allow the flow of the liquid solution. The approaches here may be different, but most often the door is used on welded hinges, the opening for which the is sealed around the with rubber.

Some creative masters somewhat complicate the design, in order to improve the quality of mixing concrete. So, for example, to increase the amplitude of the differences in height, the barrel can be placed not on the "right" axis of the cylinder, but diagonally.

Rotating such a concrete mixer is, of course, somewhat more complicated, but the homogeneity of the mixing of the solution will be achieved more quickly.

Combined

principle So, it was mentioned above that the 's gravitational mixing principle in its "clean" does not differ in performance and high quality of batching. Surely there are objections - it is believed, and in many sources it is claimed that most of the conventional concrete mixers with an angled rotating drum are using the gravitational principle. We can agree with this, but only after making one very important observation.

In such mixing devices, the blades are fixed on the inner surface of the working drum rigidly .Their configuration and size are thought out by the designers. When rotating, these blades move relative to the solution, which tends to fall under its weight. Thus, in this case will be more appropriate to talk about combining two principles - both gravitational and forced. And indeed, this is how the overwhelming majority of the apparatus for preparing concrete mortar is built.

Advantage tv cs azu several:

• No sealing is required, neither the drum itself( it is constantly open from the top) nor the rotation unit( since no contact with the solution is assumed here).
• Wear and wear of parts is much less.
• Such concrete mixers are simple and are reliable in operation, easy to maintain.
• There are practically no restrictions on the component composition of the solution - you can use gravel , gravel, expanded clay and , .

The manufacture of a concrete mixer of this type will be discussed in more detail.

By the way, we will return for a minute again to those unpretentious concrete mixers-barrels, mentioned above. If you show a little wit, they are also very easy to upgrade, dramatically improving both their performance and the quality of the mixed solution. To do this, it is enough to blast the blades or any other artificial obstacles on their inner surface.

One option is shown in the diagram. In the , this uses the comb , which is easy to weld from a corner and trim the reinforcing bar. Two such combs will immediately transfer the concrete mixer from the category of gravitational to the "family" of more perfect , combined.

Vibrational mixing of solution components

Not so often, but some enthusiasts try to apply the principle of mixing concrete solution with vibration. In industrial conditions, such installations give excellent results, they are used for the manufacture of highly accurate reinforced concrete parts with the highest performance characteristics.

And at home, the masters try to use a powerful perforator as the drive( the main thing is that its vibratory action should be independent, it does not require pressing the cartridge against the obstacle).

The following scheme is obtained approximately:

1 is the container body in which the components of the solution are mixed. Preference is given to round, not too large in radius, but high tubs( drums ).

2 - to the case rigid mounts the bracket in which the generator of vibration pulses is mounted, in our case - a perforator( item 3).

Power perforator should be at least 1,3 - 1,5 kW.Even this will not give a guarantee of success, and with less effort of the drive - it is not worthwhile to try.

A long rod( item 4) is inserted in the punch holder, which is connected to the vibrator( key 6).This rod should be of such length that the disk vibrator is at a height approximately in the center of the layer of the prepared solution( item 5).

It seems that everything is easy, but not always this scheme shows good results. Errors, most often, lie in neglecting small, seemingly nuanced:

• A flat vibrator will not work. A form is needed that will propagate the oscillations in a dense medium from the central point of the almost spherical to the periphery. There must be something spindly , similar to two plates, connected together with bottoms outwards. In principle, this is one of the solutions - two metal plates, set on the axis.
• The diameter of the vibrator depends on the drive power. With , the calculates their approximate proportions: 150 ÷ ​​200 mm per 1 kW of power perforator. So, if we take the perforator in 1.5 kW, then we prepare the "plates" from 225 to 300 mm in diameter.
• The diameter of the cylinder itself should be such that from the outer edge of the vibrator, of the located exactly in the center, to the wall of the capacity was a distance approximately equal to the radius of the plate.
• To create vibration waves that can cope with the mixing of a cement-sand mixture, the solution level above and below the vibrator must necessarily be approximately equal to the diameter of the "plates".

Vibratory kneading of concrete mixes gives excellent quality of solution. The process is very easy to track visually - from active stirring, moving, bubbling - to smooth, rippling surface( ready solution).But, you will agree, that for this it is necessary to observe very many specific "whims".And still - " heavy " solutions with gravel or gravel in this way is also problematic. So a wide application among private traders does not find such a method - it is easier to produce a concrete mixer by the "classical" scheme.

Self-made "classic" concrete mixer

It is necessary to immediately warn "hotheads" - to take on the manufacture of such a concrete mixer can not be for everyone. Although in many articles " bravura motif" sounds, it's simpler, and cheaper than buying ready, you should not believe it.

- First, do not start such work, if the owner knows about the art of welding only by hearsay or does the first steps of the in this field .

- Secondly, the work will be profitable if most of the components for the manufacture of concrete mixers can be found among the unnecessary things in their own household, neighbors or even in a landfill.

- Thirdly, the existing experience in the design, manufacture of metalwork, welding, electrical works and the available inexpensive or in general - donated materials, must be multiplied by the expressed desire to make the concrete mixer on its own. There is a fairly large category of people who can not wait to try everything with their own hands - this is the task for them. If you start working without fulfilling such conditions, just cherishing the ephemeral hope of saving something - it's better not to start. Time and materials will be wasted, and it is much cheaper and easier to buy a small and inexpensive concrete mixer - good, the choice is big enough.

If you consider almost any of these concrete mixers, then always three basic components are clearly distinguished:

• The ( bucket) itself, in which the solution is mixed, with all additional mixers in it.
• Frame( frame, frame), which serves to house on it a mixing tub, electric or manual drive, controls and, if necessary, means of transportation. frame should provide movable swivel mount , degree of its freedom both around its own axis, as and relative to the horizon with different angles of inclination. The design itself can be stationary, or it can have an wheel ho d For moving around the construction site.
• Drive is a mechanism that rotates the of the mixer's around its axis. In most cases, an electric drive is used. For small concrete mixers, a manual drive may be sufficient. It is possible( infrequently) to meet the options for installing internal combustion engines( gasoline or diesel) - the concrete mixer will then not be dependent on the power source. Any drive transmits a torque with the required amount of revolutions via the reducer for the technology of batching( no limitations - the masters use any kinds of gears - gear , belt , worm and , .).

Now consider the manufacture of all these nodes separately.

Mixing tub

When manufacturing mixer , the is based on the fact that it is usually filled in the process with maximum 30 - 40 % from its volume. Usually these tubs are made from 100 to 200 liters. If we exceed these limits, it will be difficult to create a reliable stable frame on our own and provide the self-made concrete mixer with such a powerful drive. At small volumes of tank and assembly, and operation of concrete mixers often become simply unprofitable.

The easiest way, of course, is to find the that will fit for with volume and dimensions as the main mixer. Immediately suggests as and the same metal barrel.

Such a variation nt in is possible, however for a good concrete mixer the cylindrical tub firm is not optimal. A lot of unmixed solution can remain in the corners around the bottom, and the on top of the does not exclude the splashing solution outward with stirring.

Make a smooth transition d on to the walls - the task is very difficult, but to give the barrel a pear-shaped shape can, probably, any master. From above triangular notches are made, and then the remaining "petals" are welded so that the uniform becomes narrower .

An interesting solution found the skilled craftsman who decided to adapt the plastic barrel. And why not? Smooth shape bends are what is required for the tank concrete mixers. Attach to its inner surface of the blade, and from the outside from below - the axis with the mechanism of transmission of rotation can be completely not welded, but screwed connections. But what a huge gain on the mass of the device!

As a result, the designer of this model, even , cost not an with a steel frame, but a mobile wooden base - a cart on the wheel .

The height of the standard drums for the use of its as capacity concrete mixer - is still too large, complicating the centering of the entire unit. Note that in such cases, usually for stabilization, support rollers are used - a tall tub rolls over them, resting on its upper part.

If there is no suitable tank , but there is a sheet metal, 2 ÷ 3 mm thick, then you can try your hand at producing tank , with giving all necessary forms to it.

In order not to be unfounded, for those hosts , who considers himself a master in welding, it is possible to offer interesting drawing making a "classic" concrete mixer with teardrop tub .

General dimensions of the tank , without connection to the reducer - 400 ÷ 500 mm. It would seem - a little, compact, but even only in the cylindrical part is placed about 30 liters of solution - quite an acceptable indicator for a household concrete mixer.

1 - car wheel the hub. You can make this part yourself, but it's still easier to use the finished one.

2 - the bottom of the tub. It is cut from a steel sheet, preferably 5 mm thick. In the figure below this position is shown separately in an enlarged view. The holes( 8 pcs , 6.5 mm in diameter) must exactly match the holes on the hub( item 1 )

3 - the cylindrical part of the tub( shell) is welded from a steel strip bent into a ring, 2 mm thick,150 × 1580 mm. All welded seams in the assembly of the bucket are made solid, hermetically sealed. It is advisable to strengthen the shell more from above with a metal band( tape )

4 - the cone part of the bucket is welded from of four identical parts. Their dimensions, including the radii of curvature in the upper and lower part - in the figure.

5 - on the top edge the edge of the bucket is flared outward, and on the circle is welded to a steel rod with a diameter of 10 mm( well shown in the diagram - node A )

6 - the blades - of the mortar are welded inside the tub. In this case will be quite enough shown on the scheme of the construction, made of reinforcing bar with a diameter of 16 mm. Such dissectors are made by 3 pairs and welded evenly along the circumference, 120 °.They, by the way, should give the bucket more and additional strength. In each pair - one straight divider coming from the bottom in the neck, and one - curved at right angles.

The lower node( B ), which includes including already mentioned hub and bottom, is better shown in a separate, enlarged drawing.

7 - the bolts connecting the hub to the bottom. The nuts are located on the outside. Between the parts is a gasket of rubber at least 2 ÷ 3 mm( item 11 )

8 - a screw with a washer that fastens the hub on the output shaft of the reducer( item 9 ).From the turning on the shaft, the hub protects the key( pos. 10 ).

The lower connection block( B ) is being prepared, is being tried, but it is mounted only after the frame has been assembled and the of the drive and gearbox is installed on .In principle, this will be one of the final operations - on the already assembled unit "will be installed on the concrete mixing screws capacity .

All welds must be cleaned from scale and carefully checked to ensure that the complete leakage of the bucket is maintained.

Video: self-made concrete mixer with tub , welded from steel sheet

Concrete mixer frame

In the manufacture of frames or bogies for concrete mixers, the ingenuity of masters is also quite welcome, which can accommodate the unnecessary metal parts and wheels for this design.

Frames can be wheeled - that is, they will not be difficult to transport to the right place. It is possible to make a stationary, fixed frame - it is easier to manufacture, and in the conditions of a suburban area it is usual whether any boom larger movements of concrete mixers and are not planned.

The frames can differ according to the degree of freedom provided by the mixing bowl. So, capacity can be mounted articulated, with the angle of its axis changing to the horizon as needed - for solutions of various degrees of "gravity", for pouring out ready-made concrete, for flushing tanks and , .

A simpler version is when the bucket on the frame always occupies one position, and for the unloading of the solution forward the is tilted by the entire concrete mixer - like a wheelbarrow( as shown in one of the figures above) or children's rocking chairs on arched runners.

Video: a self-made concrete mixer with a swing frame type

However, we will continue the consideration of the drawing of a concrete mixer, the manufacture of a mixing bowl which was described above. It is quite possible to go along this path. Drawing , for convenience of perception and for greater clarity in the dimensions and layout of parts, is presented in two projections.

To assemble such a frame from ordinary and profile pipes and sheet metal scraps - for an experienced locksmith - a welder is not at all something extremely difficult. And yet this design is well tested - it is not heavy , but it provides with reliable stability of concrete mixer in transport and working position, provides maximum ease of operation.

1 is the same tub that was described in the last section of the article.

2 - lever-lever to install the tub in the desired position and for the its tipping over during unloading. For the lever, a 1/2 "(½") steel pipe can be used.

3 - a scarf cut from steel 3 mm ( s 3), provides the with a reliable fastening the lever to the swivel subframe( item 18 ).

4 - metal wheels Ø 350 mm. Usually they are taken from decommissioned agricultural machinery.

5 - thrust feet with thrust bearings, for resistant concrete mixer installation in working position. Are made of pipe ½ "(the pillars themselves) and steel s3( thrust bearings).

6 - transverse beam of the concrete mixer frame. A profile pipe with a cross section of 60 × 20 mm is used.

8 is an inclined beam( pipe 60 × 20 mm), and for its rigidity is a hinge( pos. 7 ) connected to a transverse beam. For the undercut - pipe ½ ".

9 - the panel to which the control elements of the electric drive will be fixed. The panel is cut out of their steel s 3

11 - wheeled axle. It is made of a metal wheel Ø16 mm - according to the size of the landing hole of the existing wheels.

12 - the longitudinal beam of the concrete mixer bed. The profile pipe is 60 × 20 mm.

13 - vertical stand. The profile pipe is 60 × 20 mm.

14 - the eye of the swivel mounting of the swivel subframe. Two parts are made of steel s5.

15 - transmission reduction gear. In this version, a complete assembled assembly, worm , with the i = 17.

16 - safety coupling on the shaft of the electric drive.

17 - the electric motor. Specifically, in this concrete mixer, the developer used the three-phase drive( 380 in ), rated power 1 kW, rotation speed 950 rpm.

18 - swinging subframe on which the electric drive with a reducer is fastened, and the mixing tub itself. It is made of the following parts: two spars from a pipe ¾ ", four cross-pieces - from a corner 35 × 35 mm.

19 , 20 and 21 - motor control elements: a start button, a capacitor box and a power cord with a three-phase socket respectively.

Now, the A unit is a little larger, which ensures the installation and fixing of the mixing tub in the desired position.

stretcher( key 18 .) Welded eyelet( key 22 .), And on at clones rack( key 8 .) - sector( key 10 .).Both the eyelet and the sector can be made of steel s3.The selected position is fixed pin ( item 23 ), and that it is not lost, it is recommended to hang it on the chain.

The number of fixed positions on the sector may be different. However, usually grab t t rex :

- under the angle of 50 ° to the horizon - to mix heavy concrete solutions;

- under the angle 30 ° - for the preparation of light solutions( eg masonry);

- horizontally - for washing the tub.

After assembling the frame, all welds are beaten off from the slag, the parts must be cleaned of foci of corrosion. Then it is recommended to coat the structure with high-quality paint for metal. The friction units of the frame( suspension of the subframe in the lugs of the frame, wheel axles) are abundantly greased with conventional hinged grease.

In the case under consideration, the drive and gearbox are attached to the subframe( so that the exact alignment is observed).After checking the operability( test run), you can finally assemble the concrete mixer by putting it in place and fixing the mixing tub with the bolts.

A few words about the drive

In the example considered, the electric motor and reducer recommended by the model developer were used. However, in the practice of self-made concrete mixers very common there is a situation where the master "on the move" picks up the drive from the fact that it is available and comes up with a way of transferring torque to the mixing tank .

It is customary to calculate the required drive power , based on the ratio of 20 watts per liter p astorra in the scheme with an inclined tub .( When is horizontal, for example, in models with a barrel on the horizontal axis - 15 W / l is enough).About this relationship should not be forgotten, so as not to overload the drive. For example, if the engine in our case has a power of 1 kW, then more than 50 liters of solution should not be mixed, regardless of the size of the tub itself.

Thus, the bucket itself is often manufactured starting from the parameters of the drive, which is planned to be put on a concrete mixer.

The speed of rotation of the tub-mixer should also fit into certain frames .So, it is considered optimal from 30 to 50 rpm. Do less speed - deliberately tighten the process of making a solution. And if the speed is too high, will begin spraying the solution.

Find the finished gearbox that would meet the requirements of and dimensions, and gear ratio - it does not always work. Therefore, many masters find their own, and sometimes very original ways of transferring a torque moment with the providing the with the required angular velocity. In the version that was considered, the mixer is placed directly on the driven axis of the reducer. However, often the bucket is mounted on the free axle, and the rotational moat nt per is supplied by the to the on it gear, belt , chain transmission. For example - several original solutions:

Homemade gearbox drive from the old washing machine transmits rotation belt gears through the pulleys of their gears and old wheeled wheels.

A stationary frame for a concrete mixer with a self-made reducer.

Homemade reducer, in which the and two chain drives are combined. Again it was not without bicycle parts.

A small concrete mixer whose rotation on the bucket is transferred to the directly via the belt transmission. The structural pulley is located on the most mixing tank .

Very often used unnecessary in the garage car parts. A popular solution is the use of a flywheel with a gear ring gear. By the way, it's very easy to find the leading gear - from the bendiksa of the car's starter, because they "created the friend of the for the of the other ".

The flywheel can be completely assembled to the bottom of the tub.

Another option when only the crown gear is used. Probably, it is not necessary to say that in this case the extremely careful of its alignment will be extremely important.

One with the word , a stocky master very often can find details for his own original solution to the issue of manufacturing the desired gearbox. Perhaps the options shown will be a good hint for someone.

Video: more one option mixers

Useful tips at last

If everything turned out, then the owner can be congratulated on the successful acquisition of a good "helper".But that the concrete mixer served the longer and did not cause any emergency incidents, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules:

• Like any equipment related to electricity consumption, a concrete mixer requires compliance with electrical safety regulations. And in this case, this issue costs even sharper, since operation is always carried out in conditions of high humidity and high probability of water spraying. That is, all cables and contact connections must have the reliable insulation, completely eliminating electric shock or short circuit.
• The work of a concrete mixer is always accompanied by high levels of vibration. This leads to a weakening of threaded connections, and means , you need to regularly check and tighten them. At the same time, one should not forget to control the safety of other assemblies and parts, welded seams and .
• Before starting work, make sure that the installation of the concrete mixer is reliable. On on all of the staff supports should densely lean. If the structure is mobile, then under the wheels put chocks( wedges).
• Never, under any circumstances, not leave the working concrete mixer unattended. It is impossible to allow curious people, and even more so, children.
• At work it is better to use means of protection of a skin and eyes - as cement acts aggressively enough on fabrics and mucous.
• Checking the quality of the solution obtained with a shovel or stick during the operation of a concrete mixer is the height of imprudence! Very often such actions end with serious injury to the hands or face.

And in conclusion of the article - the proof that the limits of creativity in creating homemade equipment - no.

Video: self-made concrete mixer based on the old tractor T- 16