Types of concrete mixers. Which concrete mixer is better to buy - comparison of characteristics and specific models. Concrete mixers forced, cyclic action, with a vertical arrangement of shafts

Construction is a complex process, sometimes lengthy and very difficult, especially physically. And, of course, manufacturers of various construction tools and equipment have long come up with many different useful things that make work much easier. And the concrete mixer is no exception. By the way, the statement that for private use this equipment is an unjustified luxury is just a myth (if you know how to choose a concrete mixer specifically for a home or a small work team).

General classification

Buildings come in different sizes. And depending on this, there are several main types of equipment. First of all, these are large-sized concrete mixers. They are indispensable for large-scale construction, for example, multi-storey and apartment building, and are completely useless for private construction. For this, there are compact models. They are designed specifically for private teams and home use when a large volume of solution is not required. And working with them, of course, is several times easier. How to choose a concrete mixer for private craftsmen? It is necessary to rely on several criteria.

Mechanism

Still just thinking about how to choose a concrete mixer for construction works, immediately decide for yourself what type of control you need. For example, at construction sites of a small scale (private) it is quite enough and manual equipment. It is an order of magnitude cheaper than automated counterparts, but requires physical effort to work. On the other hand, small-sized automatic concrete mixers for a moderate amount are an indisputable assistant for private construction. Here everyone decides for himself what exactly he needs. A manual concrete mixer is not just a waste of physical strength, but also a significant time investment, which not every builder can afford.

bowl volume

The drum of a concrete mixer is one of the main elements that you need to pay attention to. The volume of the bowl up to one hundred and fifty liters is suitable for private construction. At the same time, those who are just thinking about how to choose a concrete mixer should remember that the volume of the solution will be 2/3 of the volume of the drum. This is due to the peculiarities of the process of both the mixing of the building mass itself and its extraction from the equipment. You should not believe the sweet speeches and promises of sellers that 100 liters of mortar can be obtained from a 130-liter concrete mixer.

Engine and its power

It is widely believed that the more powerful the device, the better it works. Regarding concrete mixers, this is a myth, nothing more. The more competently you use the equipment, the better and better it works - that's a fact. And performance is not so much affected by engine power. Although this criterion cannot be discounted completely. How to choose a concrete mixer, focusing on power? For private construction, equipment up to 1 kilowatt is usually offered. It is considered unprofessional, lightweight. At the same time, when buying, always pay attention to the required voltage. For example, there are models of concrete mixers that operate on a 220V network, and there are those that require more - 380V and higher. In this case, an additional stabilizer or generator may be required. And, of course, when wondering how to choose the right concrete mixer for your home, remember that long time work requires a lot of power. If the period of use of the equipment does not exceed 12 hours, then 700 watts is quite suitable.

Solution unloading

It is also important how the finished solution is extracted from the drum. Of course, powerful and large construction concrete mixers are equipped with automatic feed. Are there any for private use? Usually loading and unloading takes place manually if the drum volume is less than 300 liters. But some manufacturers go to meet their customers and make small concrete mixers with a semi-automatic system for supplying the finished solution - for example, due to the pedal. That is, you still have to apply physical force. If you want to choose a concrete mixer for your home, then pay attention to these models. This will significantly save energy during construction.

Mixing

It would seem that it is simpler: I loaded cement, sand, poured water, turned it on, and let the solution interfere with the equipment. But everything is not as it seems at first glance. There are two types of concrete mixers, regardless of their size and power. Each of them has its own advantages, disadvantages and purpose.

Gravity action

This type is considered universal and suitable for construction of any scale. Key Feature lies in the fact that the mixing and preparation of the solution occurs due to the blades that are located inside the drum. It is they who carefully mix cement, sand and water before Thinking about how to choose the right concrete mixer? Consider how it works.

Forced action

This type of mixing is more suitable for equipment designed for large-scale construction projects. A serious volume of the drum, impressive power - all this requires the most thorough method of mixing the solution. Thinking about how to choose a concrete mixer according to the principle of its operation? Remember that forced mixing equipment is an option for liquid concrete. That is, kneading a steep mortar in it (for example, for laying a basement or walls) is unlikely to succeed. In addition, there are not so many small-volume models with the specified type of kneading on the market.

Gear options

Gravity mixing concrete mixers are divided into two types - gear and coronal. The first has earned a good reputation because it is reliable and durable. But it has not received wide distribution. A fly in the ointment is a complex repair. If a concrete mixer of this type breaks down, then replacing the gearbox will be problematic, and in some cases even impossible.

Thinking about how to choose a concrete mixer with gravity mixing method? Pay attention to the whiskers. They have a lot of merit.

Coronal stirrers

In another way, they are also called crown. Their service life is somewhat shorter than geared ones. But when repairing equipment of this type is less whimsical, all elements are easily replaced. What you definitely do not need to do is lubricate the mechanism from the inside, which can affect the work, slow it down or stop it altogether.

Frame

An important thing to do when choosing is the material from which the body of the concrete mixer is made. For example, the drum itself may be metal, but the mechanism is covered with plastic. Why is it bad? Plastic tends to wear out quickly. good equipment- metallic. This significantly adds weight to it, but you don’t have to take reliability and solidity. Pay attention to how securely the control device is hidden, if yes, and the manual one should be protected from rain, snow, ice.

However, the manufacturer and the country in which the equipment is made do not always guarantee the quality. Before buying, it will not be superfluous to ask the owners of similar models about the quality of the concrete mixer. Even from the conveyors of some eminent foreign manufacturers, such models come off that are completely unadapted for working with a solution. And, of course, you can always make a concrete mixer yourself if you have time and a little ingenuity. Suitable materials can be found in your own bins or in specialized stores. The cost will be cheaper than buying ready-made equipment.

How to make a concrete mixer?

To assemble a stirrer that will work in manual mode, it will not take so much:

drum (you can purchase a small volume in a specialized store or adapt a tank of a suitable shape);
relay (the handle that will scroll the drum);
rack (the tank is spinning on it).

Additionally, blades may be required that need to be welded into the tank, if you have not purchased a special drum, of course. Install the structure on the rack, insert the relay so that it scrolls easily, swinging the tank. Of course, such an impromptu concrete mixer will not differ in the special quality of the solution, but it is quite suitable for home use.

A concrete mixer is needed in order to mix cement and other components. Any construction requires a concrete mixer. Before choosing a concrete mixer, you need to count not on its one-time use, but on the fact that it will be needed more than once in the future.

Varieties of concrete mixers

Concrete mixers produce 2 types of actions:

forced;
gravitational.

Types of concrete mixers: gravity, forced action.

The operation of gravity concrete mixers is as follows:

the mixture is loaded inside the container;
close the container;
the drum is spinning, as a result of which the ingredients are mixed inside.

Forced action equipment is equipped with blades, the work of which includes stirring the solution.

Both types have advantages and disadvantages. They are divided both according to the principle of action, and according to other characteristics.

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What is the capacity of concrete mixers?

When choosing a unit, its capacity must be taken into account. That is, the buyer must determine exactly how much solution can be obtained as a result of one batch.

There are usually 3 types of concrete mixers:

Differs in small capacity of mix, no more than 100 kg.
Allows to make a batch of 120-150 kg of solution.
Gives the chance to knead more than 150 kg of concrete.

Concrete mixer size table according to the type of work.

Such indicators are typical for household units. For larger construction, there are concrete mixers with a larger capacity.

In the buying process, there is one rule to remember that buyers usually do not consider. The volume of the finished mixture is 2/3 of the total volume of equipment. Thus, if the mixture is 150 kg, then the finished cement is approximately 100 kg. Often sellers and manufacturers slightly inflate capacity figures, so buyers need to take this into account on their own.

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Mechanical and electrical varieties

Also, the concrete mixer can be manual or electric. mechanical type requires self made. And if the master needs a large amount of concrete, then he will have to hire additional workers. But the electric one is more convenient, because it frees the hands of the master and does not require hiring workers. Therefore, it is best to immediately purchase an electric concrete mixer.

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How to choose the right concrete mixer?

Whether you need a manual or electric model, there are a few features to consider. These include strength properties. Everyone knows that a concrete mixer is subjected to heavy loads. It must be resistant to various mechanical influences, well resist heat and frost.

In addition, the weight of the equipment should be taken into account when choosing.

The concrete mixer should be light enough for its volume, not very noisy.

Depending on the characteristics, the price of the units is also set. It is worth remembering that the size of the device affects the convenience of its movement.

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Concrete mixer performance

Table of characteristics.

Engine power. Some experts believe that an engine with a power of up to 700 W is not very powerful. But, if a model is chosen for domestic needs with a drum capacity of up to 130 liters, such power is quite acceptable. It should also be taken into account that the lower the engine power, the lower the load on the network and the consumption of electrical energy.
Drum size. When choosing a mixer, it must be taken into account that the size of the drum does not always match the working volume of the mixture at the exit. This is due to the fact that when calculating, you should choose a model that is 10-15% more capacious than initially required. So, models that are designed to work on small objects are equipped with drums with a capacity of 100-150 liters. As a rule, this amount of the mixture is enough for the construction of any private house.
Continuous and intermittent action. All concrete mixers can be divided into 2 large groups: intermittent and continuous action. When choosing this indicator, you need to pay attention first of all. For small objects, the ideal option would be a batch unit that can be both started and stopped at the right time. This will make it possible to use a fully prepared solution without throwing away the unused one. Continuous concrete mixer is more complicated, bigger and more expensive. But it allows you to get a large amount of solution regularly.
Forced units. Concrete mixers are also classified by design. If the work will be done with liquid solutions, without the inclusion of large particles, then it is better to purchase equipment with a fixed container with internal mixing blades.
gravity units. Such free-mixing devices are equipped with a drum with paddles located inside. This makes it possible to avoid sliding the mixture along the walls of the container and mix it regularly. Such machines make it possible to obtain both rigid solutions with solid particles and liquid ones. Drums with a capacity of up to 300 liters are manually loaded with components, while larger units are automated.
Gearbox and crown mixers. According to the principle of operation of the device, there are 2 types. They mainly sell crown-type models, since they are in great demand. Although it is precisely such units that break down more often than gear units. If the geared motor fails, it is almost impossible to fix it.
Working voltage. Professional models of concrete mixers, as a rule, are intended for work in a 380 V high-voltage network. But if the unit is used in individual construction, it is better to purchase a model with a 220 V engine. They will not load the network with excess power.
Seasonality of work. When buying, you should definitely clarify whether the mixer can work in winter conditions in the open air, if necessary. Basically, the models are designed for work from spring to autumn, since experts do not advise laying in cold winter time due to the deterioration of the quality of concrete during this period. Taking into account the fact that the Russian climate is harsh and it is not always possible to wait for warm weather, the production of concrete mixer models has been launched, which make it possible to achieve good operating properties of concrete mixed at low temperatures.
Exploitation. When choosing suitable model it should be taken into account that when equipping the device with a gear, it should never be lubricated with any compounds, since this contributes to the adhesion of abrasive particles.

Any concrete mixer (including a mixer based on a Kamaz truck) is designed to optimize, facilitate and speed up the workflow at a construction site. Sometimes it is more expedient to order Kamaz with a ready-made solution. In some cases, you can prepare concrete manually. But even if the volumes of the solution you need are small, and you have enough strength to mix the mixture in the trough with a shovel, our good advice to you is to buy a concrete mixer or rent it. The device of a concrete mixer depends on the expected load, the time of continuous operation and the amount of mortar.

Classification of concrete mixers

All devices designed for the preparation and mixing of concrete mortar, according to the principle of their operation, can be divided into two main types:

gravity;
forced type.

The principle of operation of a gravity-type concrete mixer is based on the rotation of the drum, on the walls of which the divider blades are rigidly fixed. When the drum rotates, the blades pick up the mixture and lift it up, preventing it from sliding over the surface of the container; under the force of gravity, the components fall down and again rise up with the blades. Thorough mixing of the solution is carried out by repeated repetition of the process.

How a forced-type concrete mixer works: the container for mixing the solution is stationary, and the mixing of the solution occurs due to the rotation of the blades fixed on the axis inside the drum. But such devices consume a large amount of energy (for example, a standard 250 liter concrete mixer has a motor with a power of about 5500 W), which makes their use on household plots problematic. Therefore, these concrete mixers are considered professional and are rarely used for domestic needs. In addition, their price is much higher than that of gravitational ones.

Gravity-type concrete mixers with a tank capacity of 100 to 200 liters allow you to get from 60 to 120 liters of ready-made mortar in one batch. They are quite simple and easy to use, which is why they are very popular.

There are two types of drum rotation drive for gravity models:

coronary;
gear.

In the first type, the rotation from the engine to the drum is transmitted through the drive gear and ring gear, which is located around the entire circumference of the container from the outside. The disadvantages of such a drive include the wear of the ring teeth that are not protected from external influences, however, the replacement of this structural element is not very difficult.

Gravity-type gear concrete mixers are considered more reliable, since all drive elements are inside the protective casing. However, if the gearbox itself fails, it is necessary to replace this element completely, which leads to financial costs. The models with a gearbox themselves are 30-40% more expensive than similar concrete mixers with a crown drive (with the same performance).

The design of a gravity concrete mixer with a drum crown drive

Let us consider in more detail the device of a gravitational concrete mixer with a crown drive, which rotates the drum using an electric, gasoline or diesel engine. Of these, the most common type is an electric motor powered by a 220 V network. In the case when complete autonomy of the concrete mixer operation is required (for example, when electricity supply networks have not yet been connected), models with internal combustion engines are used.

The main part of the concrete mixer is the drum. Blades are fixed on its walls. An axle is attached to the bottom of the drum, which is mounted on the traverse through the bearing. Around the entire circumference of the drum in the central part, a crown (encircling round gear) is fixed, through which the rotation from the engine will be transmitted to the drum.

The traverse with the drum fixed on it is fixed to the support frame (through bushings and rolling bearings). On one side of the frame there is a container overturning mechanism with a latch to create the required working angle and the possibility of unloading the finished solution. On the other side, an electric motor block and a working gear are attached.

The rotation from the engine is transmitted to the working gear (usually by means of a belt drive), which is engaged with the ring gear of the drum. Thus, the rotation of the gear sets the drum in motion and the solution is mixed.

The circuit diagram of a household concrete mixer is quite simple and consists of:

electric motor;
starting capacitor;
start-stop switch;
automatic protection against short circuits and overloads (for some models combined with a switch).

The electrical part of the concrete mixer is shown in detail in the video:

For many models, the frame is equipped with 2 (sometimes 4) wheels, which greatly facilitates the movement of the device around the site.

The difference between concrete mixers with a gear drive is that an engine and a gearbox are attached to the bottom of the traverse. The rotation from the engine through the gearbox (reducing the engine speed and increasing the torque) is transmitted to the axis of the drum. In all other respects, the design of the frame and the tipping device does not differ from models with a corolla drive.

Some models of concrete mixers are sold unassembled. detailed instructions For self assembly included in the scope of delivery. If you have any questions, watch the video:

Some manufacturers offer concrete mixers in the form of ready-made car trailers. This greatly simplifies their transportation and subsequent operation.

Main technical characteristics

When choosing a concrete mixer, it is necessary to be guided by its technical characteristics, which include:

drum volume (the finished mixture will be from 40 to 60% of this value);
power, on which the time of continuous operation at maximum load depends;
weight that must be taken into account for transportation and movement around the construction site.

The volume of the drum of concrete mixers intended for individual use, as a rule, varies from 100 to 200 liters. Models of large volumes (250-300 liters) have significant dimensions and rather impressive weight (up to 150-200 kg), which greatly complicates their use. Usually, the owners of their own suburban housing choose concrete mixers with a volume not exceeding 150 liters (the weight of such products is up to 70 kg). The motor power for such devices is 700-1000 watts. Such a load is quite acceptable even for networks of holiday villages (for example, a conventional electric iron consumes from 1000 to 1500 W).

Of course, to speed up the process of large-scale concrete work(for example, pouring the foundation of a future house), you can order a Kamaz (mixer), which will deliver a large amount of the finished solution. However, this requires the presence of access roads.

In custody

Having in your arsenal such a unit as a concrete mixer, you are completely independent of the capabilities of the organization that supplies the automobile concrete mixer. You can prepare a concrete solution at any time when it is needed. Moreover, a concrete mixer is a necessary thing in the household.

Concrete is one of the most common building materials. Its mechanical characteristics after hardening depend to a large extent on the quality of mixing. To mix the working solution at construction sites and in everyday life, concrete mixers are used, which are also called concrete mixers. The use of this special equipment, in comparison with manual mixing of the prepared mixture with a shovel, can significantly increase productivity, as well as improve the quality of poured concrete. The market is filled with models various kinds having different technical and operational characteristics. This article will help you choose best option appliances for both home and professional activity.

Concrete mixers are divided into separate types according to the following classification criteria:

installation method;
drive type;
method of loading and unloading;
mode of operation;
working principle.

Let's consider each type in more detail.

By installation method

According to this criterion, the following types of concrete mixers are distinguished:

stationary;
mobile.

Mobile concrete mixer

Devices stationary type used for large volumes of work. They are large in size and weight.

mobile equipment, which has fairly compact dimensions and less weight, is used when you need to constantly move around the construction site. Also, mobile units are well suited for the preparation of concrete mortar at a remote location of construction sites.

Drive type

Concrete mixers are divided into two groups:

mechanical (manual);
automated.

At automated devices the drive can be an electric motor or a fuel (gasoline or diesel) engine. An electric concrete mixer can be powered by 220 V or 380 V. The performance of automated models directly depends on their power.

It is driven by the muscular strength of workers. Mechanical samples are characterized simple device, low cost, small weight, compactness, autonomy of work. But their performance is significantly inferior to automated models. Also, the quality of the resulting concrete solution may suffer when the worker is tired. Therefore, mechanical units are used mainly in everyday life.

Manual concrete mixer

In professional activities, manual equipment is used by small teams involved in finishing works, for mixing putty, plaster and other mixtures in small volumes.

By way of loading and unloading components

According to the method of filling the concrete components, the equipment is divided into the following groups:

with manual loading;
semi-automatic;
with self-loading.

Self Loading Concrete Mixer

Regarding unloading, the classification is similar. The issuance of the finished solution can be carried out mechanically (manually), semi-automatically or automatically. Technique that works in automatic mode, more convenient. It provides high performance but costs more.

By mode of operation

Devices are distinguished here continuous and cyclic(temporary) action. The former are characterized by a simpler design and high performance. They are used in large construction sites. For a technique that works cyclically, the whole process is divided into 3 main stages:

loading;
mixing;
unloading.

Cyclic equipment is used in practice much more often than continuous.

According to the principle of mixing

According to the method of mixing the components of the solution, concrete mixers are of two types:

gravity;
forced.

Gravity concrete mixer SBR-1200

Both varieties differ both structurally and in their capabilities. This leads to the presence various virtues and their shortcomings.

Advantages and disadvantages of gravity equipment

The gravity concrete mixer mixes the components of the working solution due to the rotation of the drum, inside which there are fixed blades, that is, the particles of the mixture are mixed as a result the action of gravity.

The technique of the gravitational principle of operation according to the method of transferring rotation from the motor to the drum is divided into 2 subspecies:

gear;

coronary.

These subspecies are distinguished by various criteria:

price;
durability and reliability;
maintainability.

Models with gear- this is a durable equipment, more reliable and less noisy in operation than coronal counterparts. In units of this type, the transmission mechanism itself is well protected from the ingress of particles of sand, crushed stone, cement and other building materials into it. But the technique requires a more careful and careful attitude, because if it breaks down, it is very problematic to repair it. In most cases, you will need to buy new installation, because quality repair comparable to its price.
Crown models concrete mixers are equipped with an unprotected transmission unit: the ring gear is fixed around the entire circumference of the drum. For this reason, it often fails due to clogging of building materials between the teeth. But such problems are eliminated by simple cleaning.

Due to the ease of maintenance and unpretentiousness in operation, concrete mixers with a wreath are popular and in demand in the construction equipment market.

Gravity action equipment (regardless of variety) has the following advantages:

unpretentiousness in service;
reliable and simple device;
with significant volumes of mixed concrete, the equipment weighs little;
ease of unloading: the solution is poured out by tipping, while nothing remains inside;
it is possible to mix concrete with different sizes of components (even more than 100 mm);
at electrical models low power consumption due to low power installed engines;
economy.

Along with this technique, the following disadvantages are inherent:

mixing the solution until it reaches a state of uniformity takes a long time;
the preparation of concrete with fine-grained components is characterized by low efficiency;
fiber fibers or pigments do not mix well in the mixture.

Gravity mini-concrete mixer (the volume of its bucket is up to 50 liters) of a cyclic type is a good option for occasional home use. It takes up little space and is useful, for example, when pouring a screed. But for building a house or building a garage, models with a larger drum capacity are needed.

Pros and cons of concrete mixers of forced type of cyclic action

Forced concrete mixers are equipped with a fixed drum. Inside it is a screw (blade). The mixing of the concrete components is carried out in this case due to its rotation. Such a design like a mixer.

A forced action concrete mixer is able to mix well solutions of different consistency: both liquid and viscous. Due to the fact that the auger is constantly rotating, the output from the unit is homogeneous mixture with a high degree of plasticity.

The forced action technique is used to obtain large volumes of liquid concrete on large construction sites, but the units are not able to mix compositions with large aggregates. For this reason, in many cases they are used with concrete pump, which also cannot pump concrete mortar with large fractions.

Models without concrete pumps are used for mixing plaster or putty, floor screed mortar.

To reduce the load on the electric motor and increase its service life, forced-action installations are equipped with powerful electric motors. This causes an increase in energy consumption and the costs associated with it.

The most common forced concrete mixers of the cyclic type of two subspecies:

with a horizontal shaft position, equipped with a cylindrical body;

with its vertical arrangement, the body of which has a trough-shaped shape.

Horizontal Shaft Models

plus models with a horizontal shaft is high quality mixing the solution.

cons and much more:

the large weight of the unit compared to the stirred volume;
the difficulty of repairing the mixing unit;
the finished solution is unloaded for a long time;
Suitable only for small or medium sizes.

Vertical shaft technology

Virtues vertical shaft techniques are:

obtaining high-quality concrete at the exit;
the possibility of obtaining mobile and slow-moving concrete solutions, as well as molding compositions.

Flaws This equipment has the following:

increased power of the electric motor;
cannot be used to prepare a working solution of components of different density.

The technique which horizontal shaft, inferior in versatility to units with its vertical arrangement.

planetary concrete mixer

There is also a more complex planetary forced concrete mixer.

This variety has the following advantages:

with a relatively small investment of time, high-quality concrete will be obtained;
high performance;
the walls of the container are well cleaned of the remnants of the solution with the help of special scrapers;
the output is high quality construction material even when using fillers of different density.

A significant disadvantage planetary equipment is its high price and technically sophisticated device. It makes no sense to purchase such equipment for use at home.

Features of concrete mixers of forced type of continuous action

Concrete mixers of continuous action of the forced type are distinguished by the presence two shafts, which during the operation of the installation rotate in opposite directions (towards). They are often equipped with mobile and stationary plants producing concrete. The long-term operation of the equipment is ensured by the presence of a steel body (or of durable grades of cast iron), covered with a lining inside, mounted on a frame.

Due to the screw design of the blades, the solution moves towards the discharge opening. The twin shaft concrete mixer is equipped with electric drive. Its performance is regulated by turning the blades in the range of 0-90 degrees relative to the shaft axis.

The advantages of twin-shaft concrete mixers are as follows:

ease of use;
high reliability;
long service life;
the possibility of obtaining high-quality concrete in significant volumes, of different consistency and with different sizes of filler fractions;
the design of the unit allows the replacement of some parts during the work process.

Among the minuses, only a rather high price is noted. Twin-shaft models are not intended for home use.

Twin shaft concrete mixers are a great option for making building mixes, commercial concrete grades. By using them, you can create reinforced concrete structures, characterized high level strength.

Equipment selection options

To choose a concrete mixer for home and garden or professional use, you need to decide on the following factors:

the required volume of one batch;
type of work for which it will be necessary to prepare a solution (for example, for plaster);
with the type of mixture to be obtained: its consistency, particle sizes of fillers.

After determining the purpose, the choice of concrete mixer should be carried out taking into account the main criteria.

Drive power and its level of protection. The power of the operating unit largely determines the quality of mixing of heavy concrete or mixtures with coarse fillers. An important point is the ratio of this parameter to the capacity of the bucket. How large quantity fits in the volume of concrete in a concrete mixer in cubes, the more powerful the installed motor should be. The motor itself must be well protected against water and dust particles.
Bucket (drum) capacities. For a home, it is enough to buy a concrete mixer with a drum capacity of 90 to 150 liters. In general, in terms of bucket volume, it is recommended to give preference to equipment in which this parameter is one third more than necessary.
working mode. Domestic concrete mixers are designed to operate from a 220 V network. At the same time, their power is up to 1 kW. Equipment designed for 380 V is more productive.
drum material. Concrete mixer drums are usually made of steel. If you count on the durability of the equipment, then the thickness of their walls should be at least 1 mm.

popularity of the manufacturer and reviews of the model you like on the network;
level of automation technological process the equipment is important for large volumes of work;
warranty period (well, when its period is 2 years);
the presence of warranty service centers nearby will ensure the ability to repair equipment in operation without problems.

Among manufacturers The leading companies are:

force;
ZITREK;
Denzel;
Lebedyan;
Prorab;
Caliber;
redverg.

Devices of domestic manufacturers at a lower cost have acceptable quality.

Models with gravitational principle of action it should be taken into account which subspecies they belong to: geared or coronal. The latter variety will be cheaper and easier to operate. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the reliability of the crown. It is determined by the material from which the part is made. These are steel, cast iron, polyamide, plastic. For continuous use, it is recommended to give preference to mechanisms with a steel or polyamide crown, which are the most durable and wear-resistant. For rare use, cast iron or plastic transmission parts are suitable.

More convenient transportation around the construction site will be equipped with a locking mechanism for the wheels of the concrete mixer.

To perform large volumes of work on a professional basis(with fine-grained fillers) a technique with a forced principle of operation is needed. Household activities accompanied by the need to prepare different options applied solutions. Gravity installations with a power of about 700 watts are suitable for it. They are able to provide at home a fairly high performance.