Cement Mixer Advice

[Turkeyfoot]

I have two projects slated for this fall that involve pouring cement slabs. One is inside an existing building and one is a new slab that is going to be the foundation for a covered butchering platform. All together, I'm looking at around 200 square feet of four inch deep concrete.

I'm looking for advice about buying a small cement mixer (like the Central Machinery 3.5 cu ft Harbor Freight mixer at $270) versus renting something or calling a redi-mix truck. It's been 8 or 9 years since I poured anything other than for a fence post. I'm thinking if I had the mixer, then there are several other small jobs I could do around my place. Anyone have experience with these cheap mixers, good or bad?

 

[Dopp Creek]

I have a Harbor Freight model. I've used it for mixing feed in the "off season" as well as concrete. It does not have much practical capacity; I think three 60# is what I can "fit". If you tilt it more toward vertical to get a fourth bag in, the lip gets high and hard to lift the bag up as well as losing some of the mixing ability since the material doesn't fall as far off the interior paddles. The two times I have done larger slabs (12x16) we rented a mixer that had six bag capacity. I have an 8x24 project coming up and I think I'm going to call the short load onsite truck. My .02

 

[Skibum1961]

I have two projects slated for this fall that involve pouring cement slabs. One is inside an existing building and one is a new slab that is going to be the foundation for a covered butchering platform. All together, I'm looking at around 200 square feet of four inch deep concrete.

I'm looking for advice about buying a small cement mixer (like the Central Machinery 3.5 cu ft Harbor Freight mixer at $270) versus renting something or calling a redi-mix truck. It's been 8 or 9 years since I poured anything other than for a fence post. I'm thinking if I had the mixer, then there are several other small jobs I could do around my place. Anyone have experience with these cheap mixers, good or bad?

Are you talking about one that mounts on a 3 point hitch like a Ford 8N tractor? That's the say I would go. Cement in the Bag might cost you more than just getting it delivered.

 

[joeysmith]

Some rental places have a small batch plant an trailer mounted mixers

Depending how much you want to pour at once might be worth checking into

 

[joeysmith]

---

Lost my first train of thought lol

I bought a cheap Amazon one an it has done well for what it is

 

[Turkeyfoot]

Some rental places have a small batch plant an trailer mounted mixers

Depending how much you want to pour at once might be worth checking into

You mean they'll mix it at the plant then load it in a trailer mounted mixer that you tow to the site? That's an option I didn't know about.

 

[Duner Wi]

For cheap look at Craigslist or Facebook Market place 100$ and up.

 

[Turkeyfoot]

Are you talking about one that mounts on a 3 point hitch like a Ford 8N tractor? That's the say I would go. Cement in the Bag might cost you more than just getting it delivered.

Yeah. I'd go that route too if I could find one at a good price.

 

[lodoc]

Can't comment on small, inexpensive mixers but..., that's almost 70 cu.ft, Doing that with a 3.5 cu.ft mixer would be a challenge...Especially if you're trying to pour any larger slab at one time.

 

[RedMF40]

I used a similar mixer for a small project like that. By the time I was finished it was worn out and my back hurt. I’d suggest getting it delivered by mixer truck which I’ve also done.

 

[lodoc]

Half ton pick-up can haul about a yard of concrete pre-mixed in a trailer and you'll need about 2.5 yds...

 

[joeysmith]

You mean they'll mix it at the plant then load it in a trailer mounted mixer that you tow to the site? That's an option I didn't know about.

Yes.

Never used one personally but know a few that have an say it works pretty good for smaller batches

Price varies im sure vs calling a truck out

 

[Stan Coryell]

I have a Kushlan at home that I bought used from Home Depot Tool Rental. These are what we use at work. No experience with the HF unit.

120 bags is a lot to hand mix. Can you pour both at the same time? My break even limit is about 1 yard.

KUSHLAN 3.5 cu. ft. 3/4 HP 120-Volt Motor Direct Drive Cement Mixer 350DD - The Home Depot https://share.google/fqBP3vFFhq4nbi65W

 

[a49deere]

I have two projects slated for this fall that involve pouring cement slabs. One is inside an existing building and one is a new slab that is going to be the foundation for a covered butchering platform. All together, I'm looking at around 200 square feet of four inch deep concrete.

I'm looking for advice about buying a small cement mixer (like the Central Machinery 3.5 cu ft Harbor Freight mixer at $270) versus renting something or calling a redi-mix truck. It's been 8 or 9 years since I poured anything other than for a fence post. I'm thinking if I had the mixer, then there are several other small jobs I could do around my place. Anyone have experience with these cheap mixers, good or bad?

By the time you buy the mixer, and ingredients, you might be farther ahead to have it delivered! And it's a lot easier on you back and concrete will be poured all at once instead of a few cubic feet at a time!

 

[Tony in SD]

I have two projects slated for this fall that involve pouring cement slabs. One is inside an existing building and one is a new slab that is going to be the foundation for a covered butchering platform. All together, I'm looking at around 200 square feet of four inch deep concrete.

I'm looking for advice about buying a small cement mixer (like the Central Machinery 3.5 cu ft Harbor Freight mixer at $270) versus renting something or calling a redi-mix truck. It's been 8 or 9 years since I poured anything other than for a fence post. I'm thinking if I had the mixer, then there are several other small jobs I could do around my place. Anyone have experience with these cheap mixers, good or bad?

I have one that I used once. Cleaned it up good, like new, put it away in a storage container and the next time I needed concrete, I called the ready mix plant. Im not sure how old you are or what shape you are in but my calculation estimate about 200 60 lb bags of concrete mix.

Not only do you have to get the bags, you have to lift them chest high, add water, dump the mix in a wheel barrow, wheel it to the location, trowel the concrete, repeat. That is way more than I want to do anymore. And remember, it is hard to stop in the middle of pouring a concrete slab. But if you really want to test you endurance, I will "give" you the electric HF cement mixer if you come get it. I am sure I will never use it again.

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-1-2-half-cubic-ft-cement-mixer-67536.html?hftm_sc=3067&hftm_source=google&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=23905019919&campaignid=23905019919&utm_content=194118212141&adsetid=194118212141&product=67536&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23905019919&gbraid=0AAAAADAHb4dFMwQeD_TWU-oI42zEOkr4_&gclid=Cj0KCQjwg5zTBhCLARIsAP2AFU796S5026FpYPIcKCt-JqPH6HSBrlpORF7fWfi5cUj7lHyak1Z3sLgaAlT-EALw_wcB

ps there are only 3 things you need to know about concrete' 1) it gets hard, 2) it cracks, and the most important in my opinion 3) hire it done

 

[Keith True]

200 square feet at 4 inches thick is about 150 60 pound bags.I forget how many 80 pound bags it comes out to be.Concrete should really be poured in one shot.Never really bonds to itself by pouring some one day,then more butted up to it the next.Concrete right now here is around $150.- $180.per yard,but with everything the way it is you have to call for your price on the day of your pour.Anything LTL,(less than load) has a trucking fee on it also.A couple of years ago that fee was $$325.+ the cost of the concrete.

 

[lodoc]

Math vs wallet vs time vs finished product vs UR back...So much to consider...Give me a cold beer...

 

[joeysmith]

Math vs wallet vs time vs finished product vs UR back...So much to consider...Give me a cold beer...

Im still enough of a tight a@@ to diy but the next few days I really regret it

 

[charlie n]

You need 2.5 cubic yards. Just call the batch plant and be done with it.

 

[moresmoke]

I have a 5-6 cuft 3 pt mixer. It is a handy thing for when you need 1 or 2 mixerfulls. My beef is the mix you get in the premix bags. Can never get anything that finishes half decent without doctoring it up with more portland or admixture.