Masonry Magazine August 2002 Page. 15
Always pick the highest horsepower engine you can afford. That way, when you're on the job, it will be able to handle whatever comes along.
for a well-maintained unit, even delivering it to the jobsite for you on short notice." There are currently three basic styles of mortar mixer for contractors based on type of power drive. The complexity of the drive is one of the telling features that separate the low-cost, entry-level machine from the long-term investment. The three power transfer types are:
V-belt/open gear-The least expensive system and the easiest to repair on the job. That's good because they tend to break more often. "These are the most popular, especially for small-to-medium sized contractors," claims Faler. "But the gears are subject to contamination if proper cleaning is not done and regular maintenance is overlooked. V-belts stretch and turn if the unit is overloaded with material."
Enclosed gearbox-Provides longer service with less maintenance. These are designed to mix larger or stiffer loads than a V-belt unit. According to Faler, "These are the high production units that can supply a large crew or pump. They are more reliable and less subject to contamination. The only wear parts are the sheer pin and clutch. Of course, they cost more than the V-belt model."
Hydraulic-The crown jewels of the mortar trade, hydraulic mixers are the most efficient, have literally no wear parts, and can usually mix the largest loads. Both Lang and Faler agree that this is the ultimate machine. Lang, whose new mixer is a hydraulic unit, says, "In the next 10 years, all the larger contractors will be going to hydraulic mixers. If it plugs up, you can reverse it and it will unplug itself. If you're using a belt driven mixer and it plugs up, you have your crew shut down for a half hour while they shut the mixer down, dig it out with shovels, and restarts it. One plug up can cost you $400 to $500 right on the spot. If you figure the loss of production, you can get up to $1,000 in losses very quickly. For the larger masons I would highly recommend the hydraulic mixer."
Scott Mosher of Key Masonry, Duluth, Ga., nods in agreement. "The first and foremost quality I look for in a mixer is durability and the hydraulic unit has that over all the others. The other thing I believe makes a big difference is the power unit: always go for the gasoline powered mixer."
While the gasoline engine is the standard for larger mixers, many companies offer electric as well as gasoline power sources on small-to-medium mixers. Even with gasoline, picking the right engine can be anything but standard. Some contractors are dead set for or against a particular engine brand for reasons of personal experience. Many vendors will supply different brands on the same model mixer to accommodate those with such strong feelings. "Our
WITTHAUT
GERMANY
GERMAN QUALITY
ALAN
AFFORDABLE
PRICE!
GUARANTEE FOR QUALITY
Member of the German
DIAMOND TOOL
Manufacturers Association
Toll Free: 888-434-2832
Sierra Nevada Diamond Inc.
Web Site: http://www.withan-diamond.com
Looking Ma
Sorking Experienced
STERLING
The "TOUGH GUY"
Brick-N-Block Carts
For fast,
easy pack
transport
on the job.
Six models-phone or fax
for complete information
STERLING
HANDLING EQUIPMENT INC.
P.O. BOX 090438, MILWAUKEE, WI 53209
Phone 414-228-7728
Fax 414-228-9032
www.sterlingtoughguy.com
vip@sterlingtoughguy.com
The Voice of the Mason Contractor
August 2002
Masonry
13