Mobile concrete work has traditionally been dominated by drum-type concrete mixers but a move towards newer methods of delivering concrete is starting to emerge, namely a move towards volumetric mixers. This type of equipment is not new but lately there has been a sharp increase in the purchase and use of such equipment.
The main benefit a volumetric concrete mixer offers is that it carries its own raw materials and can batch and mix concrete on-site, when and where it is needed. This means there is no waste and that it can travel between customers without having to keep returning to base to re-load, as would be necessary with a traditional truck mixer. A volumetric mixer can simply re-load at a builders merchants or satellite depot. In other words, a volumetric mixer provides a very flexible ‘milk-round’ type of service where all mixes and grades, including screed and mortar, can be delivered to customers successively, allowing more deliveries to be made in a day and therefore greater profits to be made.
Another benefit the versatile nature of the volumetric concrete mixer affords is the ability to supply from very small to very large volumes of concrete. Conventional concrete mixers are not fitted with electronic weigh batching equipment, making profitable, small-quantity deliveries almost impossible. But a volumetric mixer can supply concrete in volumes from as little as a barrow load, without placing any demands on ready-mix operator’s batching plants. Volumetric machines are equally as suited to larger pour volumes or for on-site contract work using stockpiled materials, as they produce up to 60 cubic meters of concrete per hour.
Many ready-mix concrete operators are now finding that customers are demanding a volumetric mixer because of the benefits it offers them too. With a conventional drum-mixer customers frequently have to over-order to ensure they have enough concrete for a job and end up paying for concrete they do not use. With a volumetric mixer the customer can estimate how much concrete is needed and then the exact quantity will be mixed on-site and that is all they pay for.
Meet-A-Mix, one of the northwest’s leading suppliers of ready-mix concrete, use only volumetric concrete mixers and have a range of different models, including two from Utranazz. Damien Tracey, general manager at Meet-A-Mix, explains: “We have never used conventional drum-mixers as we could see the advantage of using a volumetric model right from the start. They are great as there is no waste - the unmixed product remains useable for an indefinite period. Using a volumetric also means we can fit more deliveries into a day as we are able to switch mixes and grades from one customer to the next or even halfway through a job if necessary, without having to go back to the yard to load up.
Customers tell us that they prefer their concrete to be delivered by a volumetric mixer because it’s always fresh as it’s mixed on-site. They also say that volumetric’s create less mess because the driver doesn’t have to wash down on site, as he would with a conventional mixer. Another key benefit for our customers is that they don’t have to worry about over or under-ordering, or paying part-load charges.“
Suited to all quantities of concrete delivery, easy to use and economical to maintain and operate, volumetric concrete mixers can provide a fantastic opportunity for ready-mix suppliers to maximise profits or for an entrepreneur to start up a new business with minimal cost. There is certainly an emerging trend towards the use of such equipment, driven by the mini-mix operator and the end customer who both benefit from the use of such equipment.
*Utranazz’s brand new range of Elkin volumetric concrete mixers will be on show at SED 2005, stand number 24C.
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For further information, please contact:
Suzy Evans, Marketing Manager
Utranazz House, Tingewick Road Industrial Park, Buckingham, Bucks, MK18 1SU. Tel: 01280 820770. Fax: 01280 823500
Email: Suzy@utranazz.com
