In the field of building construction, self loading concrete mixer has become the preferred equipment for small and medium-sized projects by virtue of its advantages of automatic feeding, precise proportioning, and flexible movement. However, many users due to improper operation lead to frequent equipment failure, unstable concrete quality, and even cause safety accidents. In this article, we will systematically analyse the operation points to help you avoid risks, improve efficiency, and maximize the value of the equipment.
Operating Basics: Understanding Components of Self-Loading Concrete Mixers
Before starting, understanding the basic components of the equipment is a prerequisite for safe and efficient operation. Self-loading mixers typically consist of the following components:
Chassis and cab
provide manoeuvrability and allow you to travel freely from site to site.
Mixing drums
for loading and mixing the raw materials and for mixing them during transport.
Hydraulic arm and bucket
for autonomous loading of aggregates and cement.
Water tank and pump system
provides the water required for mixing and can be cleaned afterwards.
Intelligent control panel
it is used to precisely control parameters such as water addition ratio and mixing time.
Hydraulic system
provides power for the arm, bucket, drum rotation and lifting, and is the source of power for all movements.
Pre-Operation Preparation and Inspection
As with the operation of any construction equipment, a pre-operation inspection is an essential step that prevents breakdowns and ensures safety.
Circumferential check
go around the vehicle to check for normal tyre pressure and observe the ground for any signs of oil, water or hydraulic fluid leakage.
Drum check
open the feed opening and make sure there is no hardened concrete left inside the drum from before, so as not to affect the quality of this mixing or damage the equipment.
Material checking
according to the concrete standard and square volume required for this project, calculate and make sure that the raw materials such as sand, stone, cement, etc., prepared on site are of qualified quality and sufficient quantity.
System start-up
Start the engine and observe whether the readings of hydraulic system pressure gauge and water temperature gauge on the instrument panel are in the normal range. Confirm that the water tank is filled.
Core Operating Process: 5 Steps to Achieve Automatic Production
The operation of the self loading concrete mixer follows an intuitive linear process designed to maximise and simplify the working steps. And below is a video of our customer operating a self loading concrete mixer at the construction site.
Step 1: One-touch start, automatic loading
Park the vehicle smoothly at a suitable position in front of the stockpile. The hydraulic arm and bucket are controlled by a joystick or remote control in the cab to load the mixing drum with aggregates such as sand, stone, and cement in sequence. This function eliminates the need for external loading equipment and is the key to “self-sufficiency”.
Step 2: Choose the recipe, weighing accurately
After all the raw materials are loaded, close the feeder. The operator selects or inputs the preset concrete formula (e.g., C25, C30) on the intelligent control panel in the cab according to the project requirements. The system will precision weighing system and new algorithms to automatically calculate the required amount of water, and through the hydraulic water pump and flow meter, automatically complete the weighing and water addition.
Step 3: Homogeneous mixing, mixing on the move
Self-loading mixers maximise the use of time by combining the production and transport processes into one. Once the recipe has been set, you can drive straight to the site. During transport, the mixing drums keep rotating and mix the ingredients in the drums thoroughly and evenly.
Step 4: Accurate unloading on site
After arriving at the construction site, park the mixer at the best unloading position. By adjusting the angle of the drum through the hydraulic system and making it rotate in the opposite direction, the concrete can be discharged smoothly and evenly. The operator can precisely control the unloading point and speed, and directly feed the concrete into the mould or designated area, reducing transit links and avoiding material waste.
Step 5: Immediate Cleaning and Maintenance
Immediately after completing unloading, the cleaning process should be initiated. Using the built-in high-pressure rinsing system, fill the drum with water and rotate it to completely remove any slurry residue from the interior walls. This habit is essential to prevent concrete from setting, maintain the equipment in good condition, and help reduce long-term maintenance costs.
Self Loading Concrete Mixer Operation FAQs and Solutions
Based on the equipment maintenance records and technical manuals collated, we share with you some high-frequency faults on the construction site and the solutions to deal with them, so that you can find the fault points and solve them as soon as possible:
Stirring drum does not rotate or strange noise
- The motor is not started, or the drive belt is slack (deflection>15mm).
- Residues in the mixing drum jam the blades (commonly found in sand and gravel with excessive mud content).
Processing steps:
- Check the power connection and fuse (rated current 15A).
- Clean the foreign matter in the barrel and adjust the belt tension to the standard value.
Incomplete unloading or clogging
- Deterioration of the sealing strip of the discharge door (service life ≤ 6 months).
- Concrete slump is too high (>180mm resulting in poor fluidity).
Treatment programme:
- Replace the sealing strip (it is recommended to check every 500 hours).
- Adjust the water-cement ratio, and add water-reducing agent to reduce the slump.
Abnormal vibration or noise
Possible causes:
- Worn bearings (clearance > 0.8mm) or insufficient lubrication.
- Aggregate particle size exceeds the standard (>50mm crushed stone accounted for >10%).
Treatment:
- Replace the bearing (standard part number: 6205-2RS).
- Screen the aggregate to ensure that the particle size meets the specification.
Hydraulic system leakage
- Aging of seals (NBR material life ≤ 12 months).
- Scoring inside the cylinder (needs professional repair).
Emergency treatment:
- Replace the seals (refer to the diagram in the maintenance manual).
- Replace the hydraulic oil and clean the oil circuit.
Control panel not responding
- Poor sensor contact (common in humid environments).
- Controller overload protection triggered (needs to be cooled down and restarted).
Solution Steps:
- Clean the sensor interface (use anhydrous ethanol).
- Wait for the system to cool down for 15 minutes before restarting.
Safe Operation and Maintenance Points
Lastly, learn about the following safe operation and maintenance guidelines to help you ensure safe construction and prolong the life of your equipment:
Mandatory Safety Measures
- Operators must wear non-slip boots, goggles, and dust masks (NIOSH certified).
- No person is allowed to stay within a radius of 3 metres when the equipment is in operation.
Emergency Process
- Sudden fire: Priority to enable the equipment with its own fire extinguishing device (dry powder fire extinguisher, capacity ≥ 2kg).
- Risk of power leakage: cut off the power supply immediately and use insulated tools to overhaul.
Long-term storage recommendations
- Empty the water tank and oil circuit, apply antirust grease (lithium grease, NLGI grade 1).
- Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery and store it in an environment with humidity ≤ 60%.
Mastering the standard operation of self-loading concrete mixer can not only significantly improve the construction efficiency and safety, but also reduce the operating costs through intelligent features. Choose an Aimix self-loading concrete mixer. In 10 minutes, you can start to operate. For detailed technical parameters, please contact us, get free operation training and equipment experience, and open a new chapter of efficient construction!
