Recommendation for cement mixer

[newbury]

I've a (to me) major project http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/244190-another-concrete-drive-slope-project.html and a minor project, an entry walkway of about 30', and know if I get a cement mixer I'll use it several times a year.

Back in the early '60's I used one for two summers building a cement block foundation. Didn't need a gym. So I know how to use one.

This thread recommends the HF twice.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/149615-where-get-decent-concrete-mixer.html

It's $200 now. Lowes has one for $300.

Any TBN advice?

 

[20 20]

I just purchased the one from lowes 4+cubic, I'm happy with it. I like the idea of the extra rollers supporting the drum. Not only is it used for cement but it works great for mixing feed

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Stand alone or 3 point?

3 point is sometimes like the girl at the end of the bar at 10:00 pm. The next day you wake up and say, "it seemed like a good idea at the time."

 

[rtimgray]

I bought one of the used HF mixers a few years ago and have used it often to mix concrete and mortar. No problems at all with it - and I was able to get it for $55 at a flea market (I did have to replace a few bolts that were missing, but that was it).

Good luck

 

[Stimw]

I bought one of the HF $200. on sale and have used it a couple times and found that it did a good job.
One job I mixed 28 bags of 60# Sakrete (it holds 1 1/2 bags at a time or 1 90#). It mixes fast and with a wheelbarrow to dump in it went pretty well.

 

[skipmarcy]

I used one of the ones from Lowes on a job a few years ago and mixed several hundred bags of various concrete products in it - a very good unit. I bought one earlier this year for myself and so far have mixed 75, 80 lb. bags of Quickrete and about 15, 50 lb. bags of surface bonding cement - still the same excellent unit as the other one. Yea, I can't see using one without those support wheels the Lowes model has, I would imagine the bearings in the gearbox would wear-out in no time compared to this one. I plan to have mine for many years to come. By the way, I mount mine on top of a pallet strapping the rear legs down and this allows you to pour into a contractor wheelbarrow without the unit tipping or anything.

 

[jmanatee2]

I have one of the bigger HF ones (they sell two one 1.25 cf and one 3.5 cf )

I have mixed a lot in it now. I put 3 60lb bags in it at a time, mixes it no problem.

Very happy with mine.

 

[CurlyDave]

I have one from Lowes. I took my time assembling it and used Locktite on every threaded fastener. This adds a lot to the life of the unit by preventing it from becoming wobbly when nuts & bolts loosen.

I have had it for over 4 years, one house build (over 1000 sq. ft. of rock veneer) and a few hundred square feet of block wall at a second location. It is still going strong. I rinse it out carefully after each use. I am thinking I have put 2 or 3 lifetimes of homeowner use on it. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

 

[CurlyDave]

I have one from Lowes. I took my time assembling it and used Locktite on every threaded fastener. This adds a lot to the life of the unit by preventing it from becoming wobbly when nuts & bolts loosen.

I have had it for over 4 years, one house build (over 1000 sq. ft. of rock veneer) and a few hundred square feet of block wall at a second location. It is still going strong. I rinse it out carefully after each use. I am thinking I have put 2 or 3 lifetimes of homeowner use on it. I would buy another one in a heartbeat.

 

[ultrarunner]

Careful Assembly is more then half the battle.

I'm a big fan of Loctite Products... one tube will go a long way to keep things together and limit corrosion.

 

[newbury]

After looking at the HF, HD and Lowes I decided to spring for the lowes.

There are out of stock all over my area! (DC)

What happened?

 

[kf4uda]

I have this one from Home Depot and have been very pleased with it:


3/4 HP 350 Mixer Fully Assembled-350FA at The Home Depot

 

[schmism]

anyone considered buying a commercial mortar type mixer off CL with a burnt motor ect and converting it to PTO drive?

to be clear thats not a 3pt attachment just a PTO drive to a standing machine

 

[greasemonkeyok]

You will need more than just the PTO drive, something to anchor the mixer in relation to the tractor. Otherwise it might vibrate out of alignment and cause all sorts of damage.

 

[Artisan]

Funny you should mention it, just today I .............;

A couple of years ago I was wondering thru a local OSH and saw an IMER
cement mixer that was brand new and broken. I offered 100bux for it and
the manager said OK! I brought it home and it sat for 2 years, but I did
order the replacement parts for like 20 bux years ago so it was ready to go.
I whipped up a 48" long trailer hitch for it and today and inserted all
into a 2" receiver / 3pt assembly, and we got'er christened it at a Friends.

The video is short but sweet.

I have a generator going in the bucket w/ a wire to the rear and I am
driving while the mixer is spinning' up a batch. SO FUN!

In retrospect I want to add 2 swivel wheels to it like one would see on
a Bush Hog Mower. It will work much better I am sure. GAWD I love
making stuff that works great w/ my tractor. I will get better pics soon...
after I turn it from Alpha to Beta ...

BX25 Mixes Cement for my Bro! - YouTube

 

[skipmarcy]

After looking at the HF, HD and Lowes I decided to spring for the lowes.

There are out of stock all over my area! (DC)

What happened?

Are you using the Lowes website to look for it? I did initially and they had the wrong item number for it on the website and it showed out of stock in every store within 150 miles of Nashville, I couldn't believe it. I called my closest store and found they had 2 in stock !!! After I went and bought mine I contacted the Lowes website & told them about the problem with their listing but maybe it fell on deaf ears.

 

[newbury]

Are you using the Lowes website to look for it? I did initially and they had the wrong item number for it on the website and it showed out of stock in every store within 150 miles of Nashville, I couldn't believe it. I called my closest store and found they had 2 in stock !!! After I went and bought mine I contacted the Lowes website & told them about the problem with their listing but maybe it fell on deaf ears.

Good point, I'll try and work the phones tomorrow.

 

[ultrarunner]

Funny you should mention it, just today I .............;

BX25 Mixes Cement for my Bro! - YouTube

Ingenuity in action... very clever Artisan!

 

[Artisan]

Ingenuity in action... very clever Artisan!

I was rather proud of myself! HA! A last minute idea and the cement
mixer was portable! In retrospect I have decided to add swievlin' wheels
on maybe a 4' or so axle. The mixer and 120#'s of cement really torque
on that .25" 4' long trailer hitch! :laughing: Plus I will be able to disconnect and
push it about the yard too... That was fun...

 

[Taylortractornut]

Newbury If its for your place in MS I have an old cast iron monster your more than welcomed to use. I can set it on your trailer or truck.