About Concrete Mixers

A concrete mixer uses a rotating drum with internal fins that lift and tumble the mix as the drum turns, folding aggregate, cement, and water together and then discharging by tilting the drum. That tumbling action is what makes it right for concrete with stone aggregate in it, and it is also what separates a concrete mixer from a mortar mixer.

Poly Drum Concrete Mixers

Poly drums do not rust, and cured concrete releases from them more easily, which means less chipping out and less time spent on cleanup at the end of a pour. If your mixer lives outdoors or gets used intermittently rather than daily, a poly drum is usually the easier machine to own.

Steel Drum Concrete Mixers

Steel drums take rougher treatment and stand up better to heavy aggregate and continuous production work. Contractors running the same mixer day after day generally prefer steel for its durability under sustained use.

Concrete Mixer or Mortar Mixer

These are not interchangeable. A concrete mixer tumbles a rotating drum and handles concrete containing stone aggregate. A mortar mixer keeps its drum stationary and turns internal paddles, which is what mortar, stucco, grout, and plaster need to mix properly. Using a concrete mixer for mortar gives you a poor, inconsistent mix. If you are working with mortar or stucco, look at our mortar mixers instead.

Choosing a Concrete Mixer

Size to your largest realistic single batch rather than your average one, because running a mixer at its limit every time wears it faster. Consider where it will be stored and how it moves around the site. Then pick the drum material based on how hard and how often you will use it. Each listing states drum capacity, drum material, and engine.

Related Categories

If your mix is mortar, stucco, or grout rather than concrete with stone aggregate, our mortar mixers are the correct machine. Before the pour, compact the sub-base with a plate compactor; after it, finish the slab with a power trowel and cut your control joints using a concrete saw. See the full BRAVE equipment range for the rest of the line.