Product Description
Question: What is a concrete mixer truck?
A concrete mixer truck (also called a concrete transport truck or cement mixer) is a specialized heavy-duty vehicle designed to transport freshly mixed concrete from batching plants to construction sites while maintaining the concrete's workability and homogeneity. Its core feature is a rotating drum mounted on a truck chassis, which prevents concrete from setting prematurely during transit. It is an essential piece of equipment for cast-in-place concrete construction projects (e.g., building foundations, roads, bridges).
Core Structural Components
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Rotating Mixing Drum
- Design & Material: A tilted, double-cone cylindrical drum made of high-strength wear-resistant steel (e.g., manganese steel) to withstand the abrasion of concrete aggregates. The drum's interior is fitted with helical blades-when rotating forward, the blades lift and mix concrete to keep it fluid; when rotating in reverse, they push concrete out for discharge.
- Rotation System: Driven by a hydraulic motor powered by the truck's engine via a power take-off (PTO). The drum rotation speed is adjustable (typically 2-12 rpm) to adapt to different transit times and concrete consistencies.
- Capacity: Divided into gross volume (total drum volume) and charge volume (actual usable volume for concrete, ~60-70% of gross volume to leave space for mixing). Standard charge volumes range from 3 m³ (small models) to 16 m³ (large heavy-duty models).
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Loading & Discharge Systems
- Loading Hopper: A funnel-shaped inlet at the rear of the drum, connected to the batching plant's conveyor to fill the drum with fresh concrete.
- Discharge Chute: A telescopic, rotatable chute attached to the drum's discharge end, which can be adjusted horizontally (up to 180°) and vertically to direct concrete to the desired pouring location (e.g., foundation forms, concrete pumps). Some models are equipped with a secondary chute for longer reach.
- Washout System: A high-pressure water pump and spray nozzles to clean the drum interior, chute, and blades after discharge-prevents hardened concrete buildup that would reduce mixing efficiency.
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Truck Chassis & Auxiliary Features
- Chassis Configuration: Uses heavy-duty chassis with 4×2, 6×4, or 8×4 drive systems, reinforced frames, and multi-axle designs to support the heavy weight of the drum and concrete (a full 10 m³ mixer truck can weigh over 30 tons).
- Water Tank: Mounted on the chassis, it stores water for on-site concrete slump adjustment (adding small amounts of water to restore workability if transit time is longer than expected) and for equipment cleaning.
- Stabilizers: Some large models have extendable outriggers to improve stability during discharge on uneven ground.
- Temperature Control: For hot weather, optional drum insulation or water spraying systems reduce heat absorption and slow down concrete hydration (preventing premature setting).
Main Application Scenarios
- Building Construction: Transporting concrete for foundations, columns, beams, and slabs of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
- Infrastructure Projects: Supplying concrete for road paving, bridge deck casting, tunnel lining, and dam construction.
- Small-Scale Works: Mini mixer trucks (3-5 m³) are used for residential renovations, garden patios, and small concrete pours where large trucks cannot access narrow sites.
Key Working Principle
The rotating drum and helical blades create a continuous lifting and tumbling motion for the concrete. This motion prevents the segregation of aggregates (sand, gravel) from cement paste, ensuring the concrete remains uniform and workable. The maximum allowable transit time is typically
90 minutes (depending on concrete mix design and ambient temperature) to avoid the concrete setting before pouring.
How does the rotating mixing drum of a concrete mixer truck work?
The rotating mixing drum of a concrete mixer truck works based on mechanical lifting-tumbling motion and directional rotation control, with the help of internal helical blades to maintain concrete homogeneity and enable discharge. Here is a detailed breakdown of its working mechanism:
1. Core Structural Foundation: Tilted Drum + Helical Blades
- Drum Design: The drum is a tilted double-cone cylinder (installation angle usually 15°-20° from horizontal). This tilt ensures concrete stays inside during transportation and slides smoothly during discharge. It is made of wear-resistant manganese steel to withstand abrasion from aggregate (sand, gravel).
- Helical Blades: The most critical internal component-spiral-shaped steel plates welded to the drum's inner wall. There are two sets of blades with opposite spiral directions, divided into:
- Mixing Blades: Located in the front (narrower) section of the drum, responsible for lifting and tumbling concrete during transit.
- Discharge Blades: Located in the rear (wider) section, designed to push concrete outward when the drum rotates in reverse.
2. Two Working Modes: Mixing (Forward Rotation) & Discharge (Reverse Rotation)
The drum's rotation direction is controlled by the truck's hydraulic system (driven by PTO), and each direction serves a distinct purpose:
Mode 1: Forward Rotation (Mixing/Agitation Mode)
- Rotation Speed: Slow, typically 2-6 rpm (adjustable based on transit time and concrete mix).
- Working Mechanism:
- When the drum rotates forward, the helical blades lift the concrete from the bottom of the tilted drum to the top.
- As the drum continues to turn, the lifted concrete falls back to the bottom under gravity.
- This repeated "lift-fall" cycle creates a tumbling motion that prevents aggregate segregation (separation of sand/gravel from cement paste) and maintains the concrete's workability.
- Key Function: Keeps freshly mixed concrete uniform during transportation (maximum allowable transit time: 90 minutes, depending on temperature and mix design).
Mode 2: Reverse Rotation (Discharge Mode)
- Rotation Speed: Slightly faster than forward rotation, usually 6-12 rpm.
- Working Mechanism:
- When the drum rotates in reverse, the direction of the helical blades' force is reversed. Instead of lifting the concrete, the blades push it toward the wider rear opening of the drum.
- The tilted drum angle helps the concrete slide outward along the blade surface.
- The concrete flows out of the drum and into the telescopic discharge chute, which can be rotated 180° to direct the concrete to the pouring location (e.g., foundation forms, concrete pump hoppers).
- Adjustment: The driver can control the rotation speed to regulate the discharge rate-slower rotation for precise pouring, faster rotation for bulk discharge.
3. Auxiliary Systems for Stable Operation
- Hydraulic Drive System: Powers the drum's rotation via a hydraulic motor and reducer, ensuring smooth speed adjustment and torque output (critical for handling heavy concrete loads).
- Water Spraying System: A built-in water tank and spray nozzles spray water into the drum during mixing if the concrete becomes too dry (to adjust slump) or rinse the drum after discharge to prevent hardened concrete buildup.
- Insulation Layer (Optional): For hot weather, the drum is wrapped in an insulation layer to reduce heat absorption, slowing down concrete hydration and preventing premature setting.
Key Notes
- No Mixing of Raw Materials: The drum only agitates pre-mixed concrete (from batching plants). It cannot mix cement, sand, gravel, and water from scratch-this is a common misconception.
- Cleaning Requirement: After discharge, the drum must be rinsed immediately. Residual concrete hardens quickly and will damage the blades or reduce mixing efficiency over time.
Product Parameters
| Maximum speed of empty vehicle |
80 |
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| Water tank capacity |
120 |
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| Fuel type |
Diesel |
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| Rated feed capacity |
80 |
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| Rated discharge capacity |
1.2 |
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| Mixing power |
79 |
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| Machine weight |
5000 |
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| Rated load |
16870 |
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| After-sales service |
One-year warranty, excluding easy-to-use parts |
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| Dimensions |
10200*2530*3995 |
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| Theoretical concrete delivery volume |
80 |
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| Emission standards |
Others |
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| Maximum concrete outlet pressure |
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65 |
| Drive type |
Others |
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| Hopper lifting speed |
15m/min |
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| Maximum aggregate particle size |
60 |
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| Discharging method |
Fully automatic hydraulic |
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| Mixer drum speed |
19 |
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| Agitator shaft speed |
70 |
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| Product type |
Brand new |
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| Concrete machinery type |
Concrete mixer truck |
Detailed Photos
Certifications
Company Profile
• Qingdao Yibolan Machinery Equipment Co., Ltd. , established in January 2022 , is located in the beautiful coastal city of Qingdao, China. We specialises in the supply of wear parts and maintenance components for commercial vehicles and construction machinery.
Our product range encompasses
filters,
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leaf springs,
https://yibolan.en.made-in-china.com/product/bJeryzGWaMYR/China-Heavy-Duty-Rubber-Leaf-Spring-Mount-for-Cargo-Tractor-Trucks.html
brake pads,
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brake blocks,
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thrust rods,
https://yibolan.en.made-in-china.com/product/smARelqFCMpI/China-Durable-Direct-Thrust-Rod-Assembly-Compatible-with-Az9925520655.html
brake drums,
https://yibolan.en.made-in-china.com/product/IJgphZUOHvrG/China-Premium-Certified-Drum-Part-Trail-Brake-for-Enhanced-Performance.html
clutches,
https://yibolan.en.made-in-china.com/product/iEKrLbkcHVYh/China-Chassis-Part-for-Truck-Clutch-Plate-Wg9921160800.html
Construction machinery bucket teeth,track plates,four-wheel drive systems,and fasteners.
https://yibolan.en.made-in-china.com/product/BxGRFdhLnMYe/China-High-Performance-Cast-Alloy-Steel-Torque-Converter-for-Bulldozer.html
Since our inception, we have developed our proprietary parts brand (YIWO), with products compatible with
dump trucks,
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tractor units,
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mixer trucks,
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cargo trucks,
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excavators,
https://yibolan.en.made-in-china.com/product/cQJRUWOuHXYd/China-Compact-1-5-Ton-Excavator-for-Sale-Euro-5-Compliant.html
and bulldozers
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from brands including Sinotruk (HOWO, SITRAK), Shaanxi Automobile (Delong, Aolong), FAW , Beiben, Shantui, etc. Our components are renowned for their superior quality and competitive pricing, earning widespread customer acclaim.
Since inception, our annual export volume has reached USD 10 million, primarily serving prominent commercial vehicle and construction machinery parts wholesalers and large fleets across the South Pacific, Africa, the Americas, and Southeast Asia. We remain committed to delivering high-performance, reliable, and cost-effective mechanical components, alongside bespoke solutions tailored to client requirements.
Our company currently operates a 3,000-square-metre warehouse centre, maintaining year-round stock of comprehensive vehicle component sets to meet diverse customer requirements. Additionally, we employ over ten technical engineers with 20 years' experience, providing 24-hour online support. Our core values centre on prioritising customer needs, establishing strong partnerships through precise service and support, and jointly achieving sustainable development. We sincerely welcome global buyers to discuss business opportunities.
FAQ
1.Why should be partner with Qingdao YBL ?
• Quality
Deliver consistently superior performance and pursue every possible improvement.
• Agility
Identify emerging trends and act quickly to acquire new opportunities.
• Customer Satisfaction
Anticipate customer needs and exceed their expectations.
2. what services can we provide?
Accepted Delivery Terms: FOB,CFR,CIF,EXW,FAS,CIP,FCA,CPT,DEQ,DDP,DDU,Express Delivery,DAF,DES;
Accepted Payment Currency:USD,EUR,CNY;
Accepted Payment Type: T/T,L/C,D/P D/A,Western Union;
Language Spoken:English,Chinese
3.How about the delivery time ?
depends the quantity, normally 1 month