Concrete mixers, which combine cement, sand, and water to create the ideal mixture, are the unsung heroes of many building projects. However, these devices may begin to exhibit wear and tear over time. You may find that doing repairs yourself is more satisfying and easier than hiring a professional. We’ll walk you through the process of fixing typical problems with concrete mixers in this guide.
Fixing things on your own can save you money and time, from repairing a leaky drum to taking care of motor issues. We’ll go over doable advice and simple fixes to get your mixer operating again. These tasks don’t require you to be a mechanic; all you need is a little perseverance and the appropriate equipment.
You can find helpful guidance to help you through the process here, regardless of whether you’re dealing with a rusty drum, a broken belt, or electrical issues. You can maintain the smooth operation of your projects and prolong the life of your mixer with a little elbow grease and basic knowledge.
- Necessary tools
- Typical malfunctions, signs of manifestation, troubleshooting methods
- Start-stop switch
- Starting capacitor of the electric motor
- Drive belt and pulley
- Crown and drive gears
- Video on the topic
- DIY concrete mixer repair
- DIY concrete mixer repair.
- How to improve a new concrete mixer (repair)
- CONCRETE MIXER | DIY REPAIR
Necessary tools
No specialized tools are needed to perform self-repair on a concrete mixer. Most of them are typically already accessible to any owner.
- wrenches;
- hammer (sometimes a sledgehammer);
- screwdrivers;
- pliers (with sharp jaws for removing and installing retaining rings);
- multimeter (tester);
- tweezers.
The supplied list is somewhat limited because you will require your own tools to fix a particular issue.
If you have a little know-how and are not ready to hire a professional to fix your concrete mixer, you can do the repairs yourself. Using basic tools and materials you probably already own, this guide will walk you through easy, step-by-step fixes for common problems, from worn-out parts to small mechanical glitches. By implementing these useful suggestions, you’ll prolong the life of your mixer and save money while maintaining the efficiency of your concrete projects.
Typical malfunctions, signs of manifestation, troubleshooting methods
Although concrete mixers from different manufacturers have different designs, they all have fairly common malfunctions.
Start-stop switch
The concrete mixer’s on/off button most frequently breaks. Indications of a malfunction include the drum rotating and stopping when you release the "start" button. We fix the issue:
- Remove the protective casing of the electric motor unit (it is usually secured with 4 or 6 screws).
- Disconnect the wires from the switch contacts.
- Remove the switch from the casing cover.
- Using a multimeter, we check the coil of the electromagnet. To do this, set the multimeter switch to the "resistance measurement" position. Connect one wire of the device to contact "A1", the second to contact "8". If the tester shows "0", then the electromagnet coil has burned out and the switch simply needs to be replaced with a new one. If the readings are within 4-7 kOhm, then most likely the switch can be repaired.
- Press the small side latches of the switch and disassemble it into two halves.
- Using tweezers, remove all contacts from the housing and carefully clean them with fine sandpaper.
- Install the switch, assembled in reverse order, on the cover of the protective casing.
- Connect the wires.
- Secure the casing on the electric motor block.
- Try to turn on the concrete mixer.
The video provides a detailed explanation of how to disassemble and reassemble the switch:
Starting capacitor of the electric motor
When the concrete mixer is turned on, the drum does not rotate; however, it will begin to rotate when you push it with your hand. This is a blatant indication that the starting capacitor is failing. Fixing this kind of malfunction is fairly simple:
- remove the protective cover of the electric motor unit;
- disconnect the wires from the capacitor;
- remove the capacitor (the smell of burnt plastic or swelling of the insulation on the body indicates that it has become unusable);
- buy a new similar capacitor (the capacity and operating voltage must correspond to the parameters of the burnt one);
- install a new one;
- connect the wires;
- put the protective cover back in place and test the repaired concrete mixer.
Drive belt and pulley
A broken belt or a rotating pulley on the shaft indicate that the engine is turning on if the noise of the running engine is audible when the drum is not rotating.
- loosen the electric motor mounting bolts;
- put the new belt first on the motor shaft, and then on the pulley;
- we tighten the bolts of the electric motor (this operation must be done by two people, since you will have to simultaneously pull the motor down and tighten the bolts);
- assembly is carried out in the reverse order.
- remove the electric motor casing and disconnect the wires from the electromagnetic starter;
- loosen the electric motor mounting bolts and remove the belt;
- remove the retaining ring from the shaft and pulley;
- install a new pulley and secure it with a retaining ring;
- replace the belt and protective casing (after connecting all the wires).
Crown and drive gears
A jerky operation of the concrete mixer is indicative of wear or chips on the gears (drive, crown, or both simultaneously).
The concrete mixer does not need to be disassembled in order to replace the sector-type crown gear. Replace the crown sector by sector, that’s all.
You must disassemble the concrete mixer in order to replace the solid crown, which is attached to the lower half of the tank (replacing the drive gear concurrently is advised).
- disconnect the tank from the crossbar;
- remove the old crown gear;
- we install a new crown;
- remove the retaining ring that secures the working gear on the shaft;
- remove the old working gear (do not lose the key that is inserted into the recesses of the shaft and gear);
- fit the new working gear, insert the key and secure the gear with a retaining ring.
A concrete mixer should be put together in reverse order, with special attention paid to the installation of adjusting washers on the shaft that mounts the container to the crossbar. It is advised to modify the engagement density after the gears have been replaced.
| Step | Description |
| 1. Safety First | Unplug the mixer and wear safety gear like gloves and goggles before starting any repairs. |
| 2. Inspect the Mixer | Check for visible damage, leaks, or worn-out parts. Note any specific issues like unusual noises or poor mixing performance. |
| 3. Clean the Mixer | Remove any leftover concrete or debris from the drum and the mixing blades to make repairs easier. |
| 4. Tighten Loose Parts | Use a wrench to tighten any loose bolts or screws. This can often resolve minor issues like wobbling or noise. |
| 5. Replace Worn Parts | Replace any worn-out or damaged parts such as the drum paddles, bearings, or belts. These parts are usually available from hardware stores or the manufacturer. |
| 6. Check Electrical Components | Inspect the power cord and switches for any damage. Replace any faulty electrical components to ensure proper operation. |
| 7. Test the Mixer | Plug the mixer back in and run it empty to check if the repairs fixed the issue. Listen for any unusual noises and make sure the mixer is functioning smoothly. |
| 8. Regular Maintenance | Perform regular maintenance like cleaning and checking parts to prevent future issues and extend the life of your mixer. |
Although it may seem difficult, fixing a concrete mixer yourself is definitely doable if you have the right strategy and a little perseverance. You can handle common problems like motor malfunctions, drum failures, or mechanical failures without paying a lot of money for expert assistance if you follow the steps listed. The most important thing is to carefully identify the problem, acquire the required equipment and parts, and then carry out a methodical repair procedure.
Always remember that safety comes first. Prior to beginning any repairs, always make sure to unplug the mixer and wear the proper safety gear. Frequent maintenance inspections can also stop a lot of common issues before they start. Maintaining the mixer’s cleanliness and lubrication will increase its longevity and functionality.
With a little effort and the appropriate knowledge, you can develop useful skills in addition to saving money. Every repair, no matter how big or small, will give you more confidence and increase your ability to handle similar problems in the future. So go ahead and get your concrete mixer back in working order without delay!
