Masonry Magazine April 2007 Page. 61
STOW
Aged, but a thicker steel drum will prove its sturdiness the first time someone from your crew hammers away at the outside of the drum to remove dried mortar from inside. "People like it; the drum is very heavy so you can hammer it," Garcia said.
Interestingly, steel is not the only material being used for mortar mixer drums these days. More appropriate for dry cleaning conditions, polyethylene tubs are gaining in popularity. The plastic drums are easier to clean of dried material when compared with steel, they won't rust, and they are resistant to chemical corrosion. Multiquip introduced the first patented Easy Clean plastic concrete and mortar mixers in 1990, and the trend has slowly but steadily amplified.
"Day after day, more people are asking for poly drums," Toker Engineering's Garcia said. "By the end of the year, I hope that we can offer our new line of poly drums."
Other Components
Additional consideration should be given to drum locks, which add a level of safety and convenience when towing the mixers; and bearing housings, such as the bolt-on housings offered on Stow's mixers, which not only protect the bearings but also identifies when the seals need to be replaced. Many of the major mortar mixer manufacturers use sealed systems, including Multiquip, Toker Engineering and EZ Grout.
There also are theft deterrent systems to think about, such the ability to remove one or both wheels, and those mixers with forklift attachments that simply can be kept off the ground away from temptation.
Regardless of your needs or preferences, there is sure to be a mortar mixer on the market that is destined to become one of your favorite "employees." And while most manufacturers may take a similar approach to designing and building their mixers, each company is able to carve a niche for itself with its line of machines. Remember, competition breeds innovation, which benefits the customers or end-users. Like Swisher says, if there is just one dog in the race, it is not a race.
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STEVE
Model 850 8.0 cf
Other Models Avaliable
Mighty
STEVE
BIG Steve Hydraulic Models
Avaliable in 9.2 & 12 cu. ft.
STEVE #
Model M62 6.2 cf
Other Models Avaliable
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April 2007
Masonry 59