Big Cat Concrete mixer

[Nat]

I guess this is a good place to vent.
I bought a Big cat Mixer to mix small batches of mortar mix/ concrete. It has a 1/3 hp electric motor and a worn drive. I bought it at an estate sale and it had never been used, it cost me 95.00 which I thought was pretty reasonable. I took it home and used it a couple times, maybe mixed 1/2 yard total and the spiral gear gave out. I should mention the gear is plastic. Without this plastic gear it is usless and on thier website they sell new ones for 46.00 which would be bad enough, without me thinking it will give out after a couple uses. It really ticks me off when a company can make and sell such sorry stuff and we are at their mercy. TRhey know the machine is worthless without it and it probably cost them 50 cent to have it made, but they want me to give 46.00 for it.
I guess I'll take the cheapo motor off to use for something else and throw the rest away.
Sorry for the rant. later, Nat
Red Lion Big Cat Portable Electric Concrete Cement Mixer

 

[Nat]

Here is a link to the part that they want 46.00 for
Red Lion Big Cat Portable Electric Concrete Cement Mixer

 

[RonMar]

I surely understand your rant, but as has always been the rule of the land, "Caviat Emptor".

It costs quite a bit to develop and produce custom parts. A lot of time these designs draw from commercially available products to keep production costs down so they are able to produce and sell a cheap product and stay in business. It might also be that the person who designed it, didn't apply the correct stress criteria to the application of that part. I have a bit of experience with nylon/plastic gears and worm drives in RADAR systems. I have only seen one really fail and that was because something fell and hit/stopped the array and broke/strippd the gear. In a properly designed application, they last for years.

Kinda funny that part is listed right up front on the same page as the whole mixer, you don't even have to search for it in a parts listing. They made it real easy to find cause you are gonna need it...

It may be that that worm drive is available thru other sources, you will just have to determine the exact specifications for it so you know what to look/ask for. A company such as Stock Drive Products Mechanical Components, Timing Pulleys, Gears, Clutches, shafts, sprockets, Bearings, Brakes may have what you are looking for.

Remember it is not broken till YOU can't make parts for it...

Good Luck

 

[IH3444]

Nat, take the old one to a reputable machine shop with a CNC lathe, or VMC (vertical machining center). A good programmer can knock that out in short order. Have one machined out of 6061 T351 Aluminum. Maybe a little more than $46, but it won't break, or wear out.

 

[MrJimi]

I would think if one is wore out, the other mating gear is probably worn also, change them together,
Jim

 

[ToadHill]

Like IH3444 said take it to a good machine shop and have one made, but I'd use Delrin. I've made bushings for race cars out of it for years, it"s self lubricating and never seems to wear out

 

[ToadHill]

I also made bearings out of Delrin for one of my Hay Wagons and it has worked great for the last 8 years.

 

[jinman]

Here is a link to the part that they want 46.00 for
Red Lion Big Cat Portable Electric Concrete Cement Mixer

What's the big deal? If you buy 5 of them, you qualify for a free t-shirt.

 

[Nat]

Jim, I told Vickie last nite that I was going to throw it away, but now you got me to thinking!
BTW anyone want a Big Cat Mixer, nice but needs a little something? later, Nat

 

[mikefromnh]

and now it's up to $55, anyone come up with a work around?

Mine lasted about 200 bags.

 

[greywolf_alpha]

BigCat mixers are manufactured by Monarch Industries. Since September 2007 they are no longer affiliated with Red Lion. If you need to contact the company please call 800-665-0247 and not 800-667-1457. You can also go to Monarch's website at Black Lynx Mixers by Monarch Industries to obtain information about the mixers.

Lubricate the nylon worm gear with air tool oil. Vegetable oil gums up and prevents proper lubrication. Monarch manufactures the Kobalt mixer for Lowe's and the Black Lynx for other retailers. It now incorporates a direct drive motor which is superior to the worm gear on the BigCat.

 

[wendy123]

To get all parts for th Big Cat cement Mixer By Redlion; here is the address and phone number: 1-800-575-1935, Ken's Distributing Company 4245 South Andes Waym Aurora, CO 80013. I order the plastic worm gear $20. and barrel shaft bushings 2each $6.50 and motor shaft bushing. $6.50 priorty mail in two days delivery. Fix that worn mixer cheap. 1 December 2009.

 

[BigCat2]

We are the master stocking distributor for the USA - there is a metal gear and a white plastic gear available for $25.00 each 800-575-1935 Ken's Distributing Company -Denver

 

[BassAngler]

We are the master stocking distributor for the USA - there is a metal gear and a white plastic gear available for $25.00 each 888-575-1935 Ken's Distributing Company -Denver

Wow inflation popped up over the years, at Kens when I called they wanted over 40.00 to get it to my farm. I saw it on Amazon for $65 and called ConstructionComplete.com 888-634-4289 and they had it in stock for $39.00 delivered so I just went for it. Either way it was worth getting back up and running. It came in the mail in less than a week.

Take it easy on them mixers fellers!!!