how much concrete can I mix and pour at a time?

[bdog]

I have a small electric mixer. It mixes one 80 pound sack at a time. I need pour a 4" thick sidewalk / patio that is roughly 65 square feet. This would be 37 bags of quickcrete. With one helper can we reasonable mix and pour this before it sets up or should we break it up into separate pours? My helper and I have plenty of experience mixing concrete we did over 800 bags for a fencing project over the last couple of years but have never done anything like this where we needed so much at once.

This amount is less than a yard of concrete so it is cost prohibitive to get a truck and also I am out of town so delivery fees etc.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Wait till the temps are in the 50s F and you should have plenty of time. You should have a couple of wheel barrows receiving the concrete from the mixer and dumping it in place and a couple of guys smoothing and finishing it as you go. I would go the width all the way and just keep adding it and smooth to finish as you go. The first placed will be set or almost set by the time you finish. If you want it broomed that would be the time to do it. As long as you keep placing it in a solid line and progressing forward you will always have wet concrete to bond to.

 

[jimmpatrick]

I don't know how long your quickcrete takes to set. Two of us concreted the floor of a water storage tank in 5 hours with 3 yards of concrete by putting the gravel mix, bags of cement and mixer on the area to be covered. We barrowed some but most was dumped straight onto the ground on the other side of the mixer. It was a lot quicker that way.

 

[mjncad]

You should be able to do it; but wait until temps cool down as that job will beat you up. A buddy of mine and I did (24) 60-pound bags of concrete last year for a sidewalk extension here, and it turned out well.

 

[zonta223]

research concrete additives ..you can get all types what you want is a setting retardant. Yes you may be able to finish the job without using one as long as nothing goes wrong. I would be putting the recommended amount in each mix for say the first 25% of the job. Cut it back for the next 25%. A small amount for the next batch and none in the last. This should allow to do all the mixing and then the float work etc with out stopping half way through the mixing to float off the first bit of the pour.

 

[MrWhippy]

You should check with your local concrete contractors. Where I live, it is cheaper to have them deliver 1.5 or more yards than to do it myself. I still do the concrete work, but don't have to carry a bunch of concrete bags or clean up. Much faster too. We poured 3 yards of concrete, and had it spread in about an hour.

 

[Todd727]

See if any of the places near you have these trailers for rent. I know I could get them when I lived in CA and UT.

U-Cart Trailer Haul and U-Cart of America System Service

 

[jomar215]

I've done that by myself without a mixer, just a mixing boat and a hoe. Waiting for the temps to drop a bit is good advice. So is using an additive. Do all of your prep work the day before, eat a good breakfast, grab a cup of coffee, and go. A helper makes it even easier.

 

[wedge40]

Ya got a FEL on that Case? If it's big enough couldn't you put a couple of loads in there.. You could always line it with plastic first to keep it looking good. Just a thought.

Wedge

 

[bcp]

Concrete trucks, trailers, loader buckets are a good idea if you have access for them to get to the site. Most of my places don't.

This doesn't work if you need only a yard or two.

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