Mixing Cement

How to Use a Portable Cement Mixer

Plan and prepare well before you start mixing. Remember to put the cement mixer as close as possible to the work area and place a board under the drum to catch any material that spills out.

The cement mixer should be placed on a level area with the wheels chocked. Check the drum capacity and never overload the mixer. If the mixer drum has a safety cover always ensure it is in place

After loading the drum with half the materials to the required proportions, dry mix them by running the mixer, then add water and the rest of the materials. Adding water loosens the mix thereby protecting the motor or engine from straining.

Run the cement mixer again for up to 5 or 6 minutes to ensure a good mix and add water according to the consistency required for the job in hand; for example a mix for bricklaying would be more workable than one for rendering or blockwork. Stop the machine to test the mix before use.

Mixing and pouring concrete should be a continuous process. If one load is allowed to dry out before the next load is added to the same trench a joint and potential weak point will be created in the foundation. For this reason when doing the job by hand or with a portable cement mixer its best to have one person doing the mix and pour and another doing the levelling off.

Wherever possible the run between mixing and placing should be kept as smooth as possible for the wheelbarrow using for example planks; this makes the job easier and avoids segregation of the materials. Small cement mixers usually have a tilting drum to discharge the load.