Transit Mixer Working Methodology

Transit mixer is a multipurpose device that used to transport concrete mortar from a concrete batching plant. The transit mixer is loaded with dry material and water; The transit mixer consists of a drum with a spiral blade which has the ability to move in two directions. The purpose of the drum is to ensure the concrete remains in the liquid state; while it rotates on its own axis. This type of mixer has multiple purposes and helps deliver concrete to several locations; especially remote locations.

The transit mixer has several components which is possible to apprehend from the name itself. It is basically a vehicle which has a rotating drum used as a mixer. It is possible for this drum to rotate while the vehicle is travelling. The purpose of the rotation ability is to ensure the concrete remains usable and of good quality. The main purpose of this type of machine is to be able to deliver the concrete to a working site (in most cases a remote site) while still maintaining its quality. This machine has several components as listed below:

• Auxiliary Frame
• Discharge Support
• Detachable feed hopper
• Crank chute support
• Swivelling discharge chute
• Additional extension chute
• Bearing pedestals
• Drum bearing
• Water tank support
• Water tank
• Mixing drum
• Rollers
• Water Pump
• Diesel engine
• Suction filter
• Control Cabinet

Facts and Statistics

• Ready-mix concrete market size was USD 492.2 billion in 2015 worldwide.

• Ready-mix concrete market is expected to rise at a steady rate during the period between 2019 – 2024.

• The concrete market is likely to be a  7020 Million market by the year 2025.

• Predictions for the year 2021 include  260 – 300 Billion USD  market as far as the African construction market is concerned.

• Predictions for the Concrete Mixer Truck market is looking bright too with an expected CAGR of 4.5% by 2022.

This machine consists of a supporting element that is an auxiliary frame. Discharge support along with a discharge channel is mounted to this auxiliary frame, at the same time a discharged feed hopper is also mounted to the discharge support with the help of a tubular frame. The swivelling discharge chute is vertically adjustable as per the requirement with the special support provided. This has an elliptical cross-section and is mounted to the discharge support by a reinforced double arm. It is possible to extend the discharge chute using additional extension chute. A gearbox with a drum bearing is bolted to the bearing pedestal; this is fixed on the auxiliary frame with the help of U-bolts. The mixer drum has mixing spirals that is supported by two rollers in discharge support; these are highly wear resistant.

The water pump is fanged to the gearbox. The mixing drum has a speed of 14/min, the water pump has a pressure of 3.5bars, and has the capacity to supply 250 liters of water per minute. A diesel engine runs the mixer and it is independent of the vehicle’s basic system. This engine too consists of a piston gearbox, thus allowing the operator to control the drum speed in a precise manner.

The mixing drum can be rotated either clockwise or anticlockwise and the speed can be controlled. This helps keep the concrete at the bottom of the mixer drum during transit while also maintain the optimal composition. Although the drum moves in both directions, the general rule is that while the transit mixer is in motion travelling on the road, it is necessary for the drum to rotate in a clockwise direction. However, when the concrete is being pumped the drum should rotate in an anti-clockwise direction. This type of rotation ensures optimal performance and also allows for the easy discharge of the concrete from the swivelling discharge tube.