Masonry Magazine April 2007 Page. 57
The Basics
THE BASIC RULE of thumb is: If you're going to be mixing more than one bag of mortar on a job, you need to have a mixer. Not only will the machine save you time, but it also will provide for a more consistent mix. And should you end up with more work or jobs than your crew can handle - every contractor's dream - then renting additional mixing equipment always is an option. And like every other piece of light construction equipment on the market, prices vary greatly for rental and ownership, so it is up to the mason contractor to determine what his or her needs are.
"Before purchasing a mixer, the biggest consideration a mason contractor should weigh is whether they want to invest in performance, durability and options that are available with a quality mixer. If downtime is not an issue, long-lasting quality equipment is not the choice for them," said Damian Lang, owner and president of Lang Masonry Contractors Inc. and EZ Grout Corporation in Waterford, Ohio. EZ Grout produces the Mud Hog line of mixers.
A good tip to keep in mind when comparison-shopping: The upfront cost should not be the only factor; one should consider the overall cost of ownership as well. Here are a few questions to ask your sales representatives: How will the paddles hold up? How does the actual mixer itself hold up? How long will you have to wait to get your batches of mortar?
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Another consideration is not only the durability of the components and parts of the mortar mixer, but also the availability of replacement parts. This view is one of the cornerstones of Toker Engineering Inc.'s business model for its line of mixers. Many of the key parts of its mortar mixers, such as the rubber paddle blades and transmission shafts, are made by third-party companies for Toker and other mixer manufacturers. This interchangeability is a
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April 2007
Masonry 55
The Voice of the Masonry Industry