Fed up of mixing cement by hand in a bucket? Sick of paying an arm and a leg to hire a cement mixer when you need one? We totally get it! So created this article with some of the best cement mixers available to purchase. A cement mixer is not only going to save you a massive amount of time when you are working but it is also going to help improve the quality of cement that you mix.
Obviously, a cement mixer isn’t something that you are going to purchase every day! Therefore, we created this article with all the key things that you need to look out for!
Best Pick – Handy THLCHCM ‘H’ Frame Mixer
- CONTRACTOR PERFORMANCE CEMENT MIXER FOR SMALL TO MEDIUM SCALE JOBS - ideal for mixing plaster, mortar and concrete, for a variety of jobs from building garden walls and stone BBQ's to setting fence posts and repairing in-ground swimming pools
- POWERFUL, RELIABLE 550W MOTOR - starts instantly by rotating the drum and mixing paddle at a rapid 26.6rpm to quickly and evenly combine gravel, sand, cement and water into a homogenous mix ready for pouring
- H FRAME STABILITY WITH WHEELS FOR EASY TRANSPORTATION - simply lift and push the mixer to wheel it to the site or to a wheelbarrow - a sturdy H-Frame keeps it stable while during mixing
- EASY TO POUR METAL DRUM - the steel hopper is a generous 90L and can be tilted to 360-degrees using a spring loaded tipping wheel to allow pouring from multiple angles to suit the task
- AUTHENTIC BRITISH BRAND SINCE 1938 – The Handy is known for well-engineered, robust and reliable products that get the job done and make gardening easy, with a helpful and knowledgeable aftercare team based in the UK
Last update on 2024-05-01 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Only Got Five Minutes?
Maybe you’re sick of having to purchase another bucket and mixer everytime you need to use cement, or your old, trusted cement mixer has mixed for the last time! Otherwise, you’re probably new to cement mixing – in which case you are going to need all the most important features you need to consider – and fast! Our ‘Only Got Five Minutes’ section is a comprehensive guide for the main things you need to know before purchasing a cement mixer!
What to Look for When Purchasing a Cement Mixer
There are many features of a cement mixer that you need to check out and be well informed in before making your purchase! There is nothing worse than purchasing a cement mixer that is too small for the task, or one that isn’t going to be quite as portable as it first looked!
Capacity
It goes without saying that the first thing you need to consider is the size and capacity of the cement mixer that you are going to need! This really depends on the size of jobs that you are planning on completing, and how fast you can work! Cement will only stay usable for around an hour after it has been poured from the drum, so there is no point buying a large cement mixer if you are not going to be able to use all the cement in that time. Equally, buying a cement mixer that is too small will be frustrating if you are using it regularly as you will have to keep pausing the job you are completing to mix more cement (and cleaning it after every use!).
There are a number of standard sizes that you will tend to find in cement mixers. These are:
- 70 litres
- 120 litres
- 140 litres
- 180 litres
Always go slightly bigger than the size that you are going to need so that you are prepared for any changes that might occur in the jobs that you are completing.
TOP TIP: It is important to remember that the advertised drum capacity will be more than you will actually be able to make it one go! Your cement mixer is never going to be entirely full and you are often going to be mixing on an angle. This means that you are usually going to be working at around 2/3s of your drum capacity, to ensure that you can mix effectively.
Size
You could be forgiven for assuming that the size and capacity will equate to the same thing – overall they often do! However, it is important to check the specific size of the cement mixer, the drum, and the opening to pour the cement. For example, some cement mixers may have a large capacity but then a small opening, which will make it difficult to pour the cement into whatever you are using to transport it – and even harder to clean it afterwards or complete any maintenance on the blades!
Not only this, but you are going to need somewhere to store your cement mixer whilst it is not in use – let’s be honest, they’re not a machine you use every day unless you are in the trade! Therefore, it is important to consider the size of the machine overall, some will be designed to be as compact as possible, whereas others appear to have only considered the functions necessary when in use!
Rotations
The number of rotations per minute will not only determine how fast your cement will be mixed but also how well it will be mixed. More rotations a minute will allow the sand, mix and water to combine correctly so that you can be sure your concrete will hold strong on whatever job you are complete – which lets admit is rather important, particularly if you are completing brickwork!
Most middle of the range cement mixers will have a rotation rate or around 30 turns a minute.
Power
The torque that is offered with your cement mixer will determine how easily it will be able to mix larger amounts of cement. In case you hadn’t noticed – cement can be pretty heavy and also a pretty dense substance! This means that it takes a reasonable amount of power to get the job done properly. Smaller mixers will have around 1 or 2 horsepower, whereas bigger models will have upwards of 5 horse power.
Not only this, but it is worth looking at what power you are going to need to run your machine. Most will allow you to plug into mains electric, but some bigger models will need more power than this so you are going to have to use a generator or another form of power, which could really limit the amount of places that you can work. There are some models that run on gas, which are better suited for if you are going to be working in locations where there will be no electricity, but these are more difficult to move to different locations and require more maintenance.
Materials
Make sure to check what your cement mixer is made out of – this is definitely not an area to scrimp on! Look out for high quality steels and polyethylene that will be rust, crack and dent resistant – plus easier to clean! Equally, a secure steel frame will help to avoid any wear from heavy loads.
Some cheaper cement mixers come with plastic drums, which makes the machine lighter and easier to move to different locations however these are more likely to suffer from abrasion. Although it could be argued that once the coating on steel drums is breached, these models will suffer from rust – so it is really up to you which is the better option!
Tyres and Base
There are a number of different aspects that you need to consider when looking at the castors and base of your cement mixer. It is easy to overlook these features, but they are what keeps the mixer sturdy and fixed to the ground whilst the drum is sending the mix round. Equally, good quality castors will last much longer and make it easier to transport your cement mixer between jobs.
There are many different designs in the bases of cement mixers so it is important to find one that is going to be right for you! Some use more wheels to make for easier moving (these are better for anyone who suffers from a bad back!) whereas others have one or two wheels and then a steel “foot” which will arguably be more sturdy!
Drum and Blades
The size of drum is obviously going to determine the amount of mix you can create (as discussed above) but there are also different designs affecting the tilt of the drum that are worth considering. The fixed blades are there to help move the mixture around the inside of the drum, ensuring that it is mixed correctly.
There are various different designs and shapes on the market that all claim to be the best option for mixing cement, so it is important to look closely at the shape. We would recommend opting for one that is “stretched” in the middle of the drum” allowing the mixture to flow and move, plus increasing the capacity without affecting the overall size of the machine too much!
Best Budget – Charles Bentley 63L Mixer
- 63L drum capacity 45L mix capacity 220w motor 230v/50hz Tipping handle Double insulation UK 3 pin plug Meets European standard IP44
- Material : Powder coated steel
- Powder coated steel
- H111 x D55 x W93.5cm Drum mouth: 24cm Drum diameter: 46cm
- 25kg
Last update on 2024-05-01 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Additional Features
Now that you know the main things that you need to look out for when purchasing a cement mixer – here are some of those extra features that we would recommend before making your purchase!
- Retractable handles – easier for storage
- Multi-mixer – Some cement mixers can also be used for mixing various other mixes such as plaster, drywall mud and even animal feed or preparing seeds! Although we’re sure you may not be planning on preparing a cement mixer load of seeds any time soon, it is handy to know there are other uses for your cement mixer should you need them.
- Noise reduction – Many of the best cement mixers will be designed in ways to reduce the noise when in work. This is well worth considering as otherwise it can be a rather large task!
- Power cord length – This is important as it will massively impact the variety of places that you can work in, as it determines how far away from a power source you are going to be able to work.
- Safety lock – A safety lock on the manual controls of the cement mixer is essential as far as we are concerned! This feature will make sure that the cement stays in the mixer whilst you are mixing, and is easy to pour out when it is ready to use!
Looking After Your Cement Mixer
Cement mixers can be your best friend when paving or completing brickwork, but they can also be your worst enemy if you neglect them. There are a number of simple things that you can do to make sure that your cement mixer has a long life and is always ready to keep working for you.
- NEVER let your cement mixer run dry as it is almost impossible to remove hard concrete from the drum. Simply add a small amount of sand and a lot of water to the drum and leave it to turn for several minutes before emptying. Then just repeat the process with water as many times as necessary.
- Use a stiff brush to clean any debris from the drum blades.
- Make sure to keep the motor clean and free from debris to avoid the machine overheating and causing damage to different components. This can be done by using an air compressor to blow out any debris or waste cement.
- Grease the various moving parts of the cement mixer regularly as this will avoid any of the parts becoming stiff and damaged from overuse.
This video shows you exactly how to clean your cement mixer.
Best of the Rest
- Motor speed 2800rpm
- Tipping wheel & cast iron ring gear
- Drum diameter – 550mm, Loading inlet diameter 358mm
- Electric 240v 140 Litres Cement Mixer 550w Motor
Last update on 2024-05-01 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- New 140 Litre 220 Volt 550W Portable Electric Concrete Cement Mixers Mortar Plaster.
- Tipping Wheel & Punched Ring Gear, Tipping handle, which provide convenience for moving the machine in any kind of weather and on any road condition.
- Highly portable, Electric powered. Easy to assemble, clean, pour and operate, our cement mixer can help you save time and energy, make your work easier.
- Drum capacity: 140 L, Motor: 550W, Dimensions: 1200mm x 710mm x 1350mm, Voltage: 220V ~ 50Hz.
- Drum Diameter: 570mm, Drum Height: 610mm, Drum Mouth diameter: 380mm.
Last update on 2024-05-01 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
- ❥ Material: Steel spray; Size: Total size: 120 x 71 x 135cm; Barrel diameter: 57cm; Barrel opening diameter: 38cm; Barrel height: 61cm; Color: Grey; Package weight: Approx 48 kg.
- ❥ Powerful function: 220V/50HZ-550W, stirring speed and stir well. Easy to assemble, clean, pour and operate, our cement mixer can help you save time and energy, make your work easier.
- ❥ Designed with 2 moveable wheels, which provide convenience for moving the machine in any kind of weather and on any road condition.
- ❥ Perfect for mixing solid liquid, dry powder, concrete, sand, mortar, such as seed inoculation or mixing feed.
- ❥ Our power concrete mixer can be used in multiple kinds of places according to different work needs, great for both construction and farm applications.
Last update on 2024-05-01 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Frequently Asked Questions
What warranty can I get with a cement mixer?
Most warranties with cement mixers will only extend to a year’s limited warranty – purely due to the hard tasks that they are going to have to deal with over that time! But, providing you look after your cement mixer, you will find it lasting much longer than that. It is worth checking exactly what is covered under the warranty, as limited warranties mean that only certain parts, such as the motor will be covered. Equally, we have seen some warranties as little as 90 days and others as much as three years, so if this is important to you – make sure to shop around.
How do I use a cement mixer?
Cement mixers are relatively easy once you know how! Simply set the drum at a roughly 45 degree angle and switch on the machine. As the blades start to rotate add the mix (this depends on whether you are using premix or not and how hard you want the cement to be). Remember to save some of the mix to one side to be added after the rest has been rotating for 3-4 minutes. Once the mixture is consistent and ready to use, simply tilt the drum to remove the mixture from the drum into a wheelbarrow or bucket. Then follow the cleaning instructions above!
Should I hire or buy a cement mixer?
The main decider on this is how often you are going to be using a cement mixer. You can normally hire a cement mixer twice, or for one long weekend, before it becomes more cost effective to just purchase one. Hopefully this gives you a gauge to work with!
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