Mixing concrete - "Mud mixer" alternative. Steele mixer

[Keumesu]

I grabbed one from https://steelemixer.com/ a few months ago because I was tired of dealing with my old barrel mixer. It’s way easier to load and clean, and I can mix small batches without wasting materials. I mostly use it for fence post work and small slabs, and it's held up great so far. Doesn't strain my back like lugging buckets used to do.

 

[paulsharvey]

I saw a recent video on the Tube, and they tested Mudmixer (with extension hopper), vs the old 110v HF mixer. It look them 3.5 hrs to mix 1 yard, vs 5 hours with the HF. It did put some perspective; IE, the mudmixer is Faster, and by a good amount, but still not suited to mix 3+ yards per day. Watching some of the ads, and videos, they kinda make it look like its capable of mixing, say, a yard per hour.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I saw a recent video on the Tube, and they tested Mudmixer (with extension hopper), vs the old 110v HF mixer. It look them 3.5 hrs to mix 1 yard, vs 5 hours with the HF. It did put some perspective; IE, the mudmixer is Faster, and by a good amount, but still not suited to mix 3+ yards per day. Watching some of the ads, and videos, they kinda make it look like its capable of mixing, say, a yard per hour.

The problem with that comparison is that when you're mixing bags all the work is in moving the bags.

I have the Kobalt mixer from Lowes (https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-4-cu-ft-0-5-HP-Cement-Mixer/3591096 ) . The stated maximum capacity is 240 lbs, but I find it works better with 180lbs, three 60lb bags. A yard is about 60 bags, or 20 batches. It can mix a batch in five minutes, so 100 minutes or 1:40 to do a yard.

But to achieve that I'd have to have someone feeding bags and taking the mixed concrete away while I ran the mixer.

 

[paulsharvey]

The problem with that comparison is that when you're mixing bags all the work is in moving the bags.

I have the Kobalt mixer from Lowes (https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-4-cu-ft-0-5-HP-Cement-Mixer/3591096 ) . The stated maximum capacity is 240 lbs, but I find it works better with 180lbs, three 60lb bags. A yard is about 60 bags, or 20 batches. It can mix a batch in five minutes, so 100 minutes or 1:40 to do a yard.

But to achieve that I'd have to have someone feeding bags and taking the mixed concrete away while I ran the mixer.

Yeah, but in the video, 1 guy ran both solo. He did mention, he could have done the Mudmixer faster, if it wasnt for needed to screed and edge.

But, I do think it was a pretty good representation of what a single guy can do with it.