What is self loading concrete mixer? It integrates a loader, a batching and weighing system, a storage silo and a mixer onto a single chassis. It is capable of automatically and precisely batching and mixing materials from within the cab or via remote control, and can discharge freshly mixed concrete directly to the designated location or pour it using a short conveyor arm. This concrete mixer is a fully automatic concrete mixing equipment that integrates feeding, metering, mixing, discharging and transport.
- 1 person full control: one button start, 1 driver can complete all operations in the cab.
- 0 auxiliary equipment: no need for forklift trucks, transporters, etc., it can be moved flexibly on the construction site independently.
Technical Definition and Core Values
The self-loading concrete mixer is a highly integrated mobile concrete production and transport unit, designed primarily to complete the entire concrete production lifecycle using a single machine.
- Operating Mode Conversion: Traditional concrete supply relies on the coordination of fixed batching plants and transit mixers; the self-loading mixer, however, utilises its own hydraulic loading system to achieve a closed-loop operation from raw material collection to finished product output.
- Industry Classification: Within the engineering sector, this equipment is commonly defined as an “Autonomous Mini Mobile Concrete Batching Plant”.
Functional Integration
Structurally, this equipment achieves a deep integration of the five core functions: “loading, batching, mixing, transport and unloading”. Compared to traditional construction methods, it is not merely a mixing tool, but a mobile concrete production terminal.
Addressing Industry Challenges
In remote areas with complex terrain, limited power supply, traditional construction methods face extremely high logistics costs and extended timeframes. Thanks to its self-contained power system and all-terrain adaptability, the self-loading mixer effectively resolves the issues of segregation caused by long-distance concrete transport, as well as the problem of excessive transport costs.
Core Components of Self Loading Concrete Mixers
A high-quality self-loading mixer is far more than a simple combination of a ‘bucket and drum’; it involves the seamless integration of precision hydraulic systems and sensor technology.
Smart Bucket and Automatic Loading System
The high-strength hydraulic bucket mounted at the front serves as the first stage of the process. Using the joysticks in the operator’s cab, the driver can precisely control the bucket to scoop up raw materials such as sand, gravel, and cement. The bucket is typically equipped with an automatic bag-breaking mechanism, which greatly facilitates the unloading of bagged cement.
Electronic Weighing System
To ensure the strength (grade) of the concrete, precise mixing ratios are critical.
- High-Precision Sensors: A pressure-sensing system is installed at the bucket connection point.
- Real-Time Monitoring: An LCD display in the cab shows the weight of each load entering the drum in real time.
270° Rotating Drum
This is the key feature that distinguishes the self-loading mixer from conventional concrete mixers.
- Multi-directional Discharge: The drum can rotate horizontally. The machine does not need to turn around in narrow tunnels or during roadbed construction.
- Discharge Height: By raising the hydraulic arm, the discharge height can reach over 2 meters, allowing direct connection to small concrete pumps or hoppers.
Four-Wheel Drive and All-Terrain Chassis
Since operations often take place on muddy job sites or rugged mountainous terrain, the AIMIX self-loading mixer is equipped with a 4×4 all-wheel-drive system.
- Gradeability: It can operate smoothly at full load even on slopes of up to 30°.
- Articulated Steering: The flexible steering design ensures an extremely small turning radius, making it ideal for maneuvering in tight spaces.
What Are the Technology Upgrades of Aimix Self Loading Mixer?
If you are still struggling with ‘inaccurate batching’ and ‘poor concrete quality’, then definitely consider Aimix. Aimix has upgraded its technology for accurate batching and is now the number 1 export brand in China! And our self-loading concrete mixers are now the preferred choice of contractors for small to medium sized projects.
The first oil cylinder weighing technology – error<2%
- Unlike hopper load cells or belt scales, which are commonly used in the market, Aimix innovatively utilises hydraulic cylinders as the weighing element. The weight of the material is deduced by precisely measuring the pressure change of the hydraulic oil, combined with advanced algorithms to deal with vibrations, shocks, and other dynamic disturbances during the working process.
- Achieve ultra-high precision (<2%), far exceeding the 20%-30% error level commonly found in the market, and improving the precision by 10 times or more.
The first 13.5-inch high-definition large screen
- The use of such a large-size, high-definition touch screen on construction machinery, especially mixers, is a leading design that greatly simplifies the operation process. The large screen can clearly display recipe information, equipment status, operation procedures, fault codes, etc., and the information is clear at a glance.
- Operators do not need to memorise complex button functions.
The first recipe management mode
- Our concrete mixer provides a set of systematic formula management system, which supports storing, calling, and managing many different concrete proportioning schemes. It can meet the diversified requirements for concrete formulas of different projects, different grades (e.g., C20, C30, C40, etc.), and different construction conditions.
- The operator only needs to select the pre-stored formula, and the system can automatically call the proportioning parameters for weighing and mixing, which is extremely easy and efficient to operate.
The first weighing calibration guidance system
- In addition to the original calibration function, Aimix has developed an intelligent guidance system that guides and prompts the customer to operate the weighing system in a step-by-step manner. The guidance system ensures that the calibration steps are correct and complete, and avoids calibration failures or inaccuracies due to irregularities in operation.
- Timely and accurate calibration is also the basis for maintaining the high accuracy of less than 2% in the long term.
Working Principle: 4 Steps About How It Works
After learning about these advanced technologies, what’s the working principle of self loading concrete mixer? Understanding how it works helps to maximise the machine’s efficiency. A full cycle typically takes just 15 minutes.
01Loading:
The driver manoeuvres the machine close to the aggregate pile, uses the hydraulic bucket to scoop up sand and gravel, and loads the material precisely according to the weight prompts displayed on the screen.
02Feeding & Metering:
The raw materials enter the mixing drum, whilst the water tank system uses a hydraulic pump to inject water into the drum in measured quantities according to the set ratio.
03Mixing on the go:
As the machine travels from the aggregate pile to the pouring point, the mixing drum begins to rotate at high speed. Thanks to the unique spiral blade design, the concrete achieves a very high degree of uniformity whilst the machine is in motion.
04Discharging:
Upon arrival at the designated location, the operator rotates the drum and adjusts the position of the discharge chute using the control lever to ensure precise concrete placement.
What Is the Use of Self Loading Mixer – Typical application scenarios
Their flexibility and high efficiency can be perfectly adapted to all kinds of construction and construction scenarios, including rural self-built houses, building construction, municipal maintenance, precast concrete production, road maintenance and so on. Aimix self-loading mixers have been exported to more than 1000 sets. Below is the on-site working picture of self-loading concrete mixer from our customers’ feedback.
Rural Self-build Houses
This small project has a narrow site (perhaps only a few square metres of open space) and low quality concrete (hand mixing, inaccurate ratios). The use of self loading mixer can be driven directly into the narrow road next to the house site, or even parked in front of the yard. Moreover, the weighing system automatically weighs the concrete with an error of ≤2%, avoiding the problems of ‘too thin mortar’ or ‘too thick waste of cement’.
Building Construction
In the construction of urban buildings, there may be limited space, and large concrete mixer trucks are troublesome to enter and exit. Self-loading concrete mixer can be directly into the construction site, the mixed concrete through the bucket truck directly transported to the building, eliminating the cost of the loader loading ‘secondary transport’. At the same time, a small amount of high-strength concrete is needed for small projects such as external wall insulation layer falling off and bathroom waterproofing repair. Self-loading mixer can precisely adjust the proportion to meet the repair needs.
Municipal Maintenance
Municipal repairs are characterised by small amounts of work, but the locations are scattered and may span 3-5 communities, requiring concrete production equipment that is easy to transfer. The use of self-loading concrete mixers not only solves the problem of project transfer, but also allows for small projects to carry out small batches of raw materials to accurately weigh the proportion, mixing, to avoid waste.
Precast Concrete Production
The production of precast concrete parts requires stable product quality and high production efficiency. The self-loading mixer automatically stores a variety of concrete formulas, starts at the touch of a button, and has a weighing error of less than 2%, ensuring that the strength of the concrete in each precast part is consistent. After testing, the qualification rate of precast parts using the self-loading mixer has increased from 85% to 98%.
Road Maintenance
Road maintenance projects such as hardening of rural roads and pouring of scenic trails often face the problem of ‘difficult to transport materials’. Concrete tanker transport costs are high, and the tanker can not enter the field road. The self-loading diesel mixer does not need an external power supply and can be directly parked at the roadside to mix. The car chassis, non-slip engineering tyres, can be adapted to a variety of complex terrains, through potholes, gravel roads, and even muddy roads.
Capacity of Self Loading Concrete Mixer
What is the capacity of self loading concrete mixer? Aimix designs a variety of concrete mixers with different capacities to meet the needs of customers in various projects. 7.2, 10.4, 14, 18, 22, 26 cubic meters per hour. We offer 7 different models of self-loading concrete mixers. Among them, most customers chose the models of 14, 18, and 22 cubic meters per hour(AS-3.5, AS-4.5, AS-5.5). You can freely choose according to the scale of your project.
What Is the Self Loading Concrete Mixer Price?
If you want to know the price of self loading concrete mixer, you need to determine its model first. Because different capacity will have difference in price. And different models of the same mixer will also have different prices. Prices usually start at US$10,000. Below is the specification table. Please feel free to leave a comment to enquire about the concrete mixer price of specific models.
| Model | AS-1.2 | AS-1.8 | AS-2.6 | AS-3.5 | AS-4.5 | AS-5.5 | AS-6.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixing tank capacity(m³) | 1.2 | 1.8 | 2.6 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 5.5 | 6.5 |
| Concrete output(m³/h) | 4.8 | 7.2 | 10.4 | 14 | 18 | 22 | 26 |
| Engine power (kw) | 55 | 78 | 78 | 91 | 91 | 110 | 132 |
| Mixer drum capacity (L) | 1700 | 2680 | 3580 | 4740 | 6800 | 7800 | 9000 |
| Water tank (L) | 400 | 500 | 500 | 620 | 920 | 860 | 1465 |
| Weighing method | Automatic hydraulic weighing system | Automatic hydraulic weighing system | Automatic hydraulic weighing system | Automatic hydraulic weighing system | Automatic hydraulic weighing system | Automatic hydraulic weighing system | Automatic hydraulic weighing system |
| Total weight (Kg) | 5000 | 6100 | 7100 | 7900 | 9200 | 11500 | 12520 |
| Overall size (LxWxH) | 6400x2550x3300 | 7700×2750×3350 | 7860×2750×4100 | 7830×2680×4170 | 7640×2870×4750 | 8450×3100×3640 | 8450×3050×3860 |
| Max. Speed (km/h) | 30 | 35 | 30 | 30 | 35 | 42 | 40 |
| Min. turning radius (mm) | 4700 | 3250 | 5300 | 5300 | 4800 | 6200 | 4800 |
| Drum speed (r/min) | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13-20 | 17 | 20 | 20 |
| Fuel tank (L) | 63 | 75 | 75 | 120 | 120 | 180 | 342 |
| Wheel base(mm) | 2300 | 2750 | 2800 | 2900 | 2480 | 3350 | 2850 |
| Hydraulic tank (L) | 63 | 75 | 75 | 120 | 120 | 180 | 274 |
What Are the Advantages of Self Loading Concrete Mixers
Why are many small and medium sized projects using self loading concrete mixers nowadays? Here are 6 of its most competitive advantages:
Saving manpower and cost
- Single person operation: 1 driver can finish loading, mixing, transporting, and discharging materials, no need to have an extra loader, mixing plant operator, or tanker driver.
- Reduce equipment cost: save the purchase or rental cost of the mixing station, transport truck, and other supporting equipment.
- Save transport costs: local production, no need to transport wet concrete over long distances.
Improve the quality of concrete
- Intelligent weighing: Electronic weighing ensures accurate proportioning, and the truck-mounted mixing drum ensures uniformity of mixing. Note that the weighing accuracy directly affects the strength and quality stability of the final concrete, so it is crucial to choose a concrete mixer with accurate weighing.
- Higher freshness: ready-to-mix, avoiding slump loss caused by long-distance transport, especially suitable for high-strength concrete (e.g., above C50) or fibre concrete.
Improved efficiency
- Loading – batching – mixing – unloading, continuous operation, seamless, significantly shortens the construction cycle.
Flexible and adaptable
- Adapts to complex construction environments, especially suitable for sites that are small, remote, dispersed, or with limited traffic, freeing itself from the dependence on fixed mixing stations. But at the same time, this also tests the reliability of the chassis and tyres.
Reduce material waste
- On-demand production: avoid scrapping of hardened concrete due to improper scheduling or long transport times.
- Reduce material waste: Accurate weighing reduces waste of raw materials such as cement, sand, and gravel.
Simple operation, safe and reliable
- Intelligent control: a single machine completes all the processes without the need for multiple people to divide the labour for loading, unloading, and transporting.
- Reduce labour intensity: reduce manual handling of sand and cement, reduce safety accidents.
A self-loading concrete mixer is more than just a machine; it embodies a decentralized, highly efficient approach to construction. In today’s environment, where sustainability and cost control are paramount, it has become the tool of choice for modern construction companies by minimizing material waste and reducing reliance on manual labor.
If you’re looking for concrete mixing equipment that offers a quick return on investment and can handle complex job sites, the self-loading concrete mixer is undoubtedly your best solution.
