The Two-Fold Cost Of A Mobile Concrete Mixer
Two main questions customers ask before purchasing a new piece of equipment are:
- How much does a volumetric mixer cost? and
- How do I measure the return on investment?
Customers need to consider a few factors that affect the purchase price of a Cemen Tech mixer but also your overall satisfaction with the equipment and its performance:
- In what applications will you use the mixer?
- Will a truck or trailer-mounted unit work best?
- What volume of concrete with be poured monthly, annually?
- What mix design(s) need to be produced?
- How quickly do you need to produce concrete?
- For truck-mounted mixer, what brand of chassis do you prefer?
Before a manufacturer quotes a price, they need to understand your specific needs. Many times customers believe Cemen Tech equipment is priced higher than the competition until they discover the lesser priced mixer won’t meet their needs.
The Initial Purchase Price Comparison
To get the right equipment in your hands, the equipment manufacturer or dealer needs to understand the equipment’s planned use. Mobile mixers come in various sizes — 2 to 12 cubic yard capacities — and speeds — 15 to 90 cubic yards an hour. The capacity, speed, and how the mixer is equipped determines volumetric mixer cost.
Technology has come a long way in mobile mixers. Most manufacturers offer cordless remotes, electronic ticket printers, fiber feeders or choppers, and roll and pour options to help place concrete. It also helps provide customers with a record of their purchase, including the mix design. Some mixers are even equipped with technology such as touchscreen PLCs, which:
- Store an unlimited number of mix designs;
- Alert when preventive maintenance tasks are required;
- Report the amount of concrete poured and the time of the pour; and
- Offer auto washout functions and an auto stow feature.
While these mixers are new to the market, the level of automation they feature is growing in popularity.
So what does a mobile mixer cost? A broad range is $65,000 to $125,000, depending on options. But you also need to consider your return on investment and factors such as parts availability, how long the company has been in business, and their industry reputation.
Measure Your Return on Investment
Before purchasing any equipment, consider how long it will take to see a return on investment. Do you spend less upfront and risk facing issues such as breakdowns, tracking down hard-to-find or expensive parts, or purchasing a non-operator machine? Or do you spend more to purchase a machine that fits your needs and will earn more profit in the long run?
Waste, Waste & More Waste
Many in the concrete industry think waste is a normal part of the job, but it doesn’t have to be. Wasted concrete means lost money for anyone, whether it’s a concrete delivery business, a contractor, or a municipality. You’ll mix the exact amount of concrete needed — no more, no less — to spend the exact amount of money necessary.
Waiting For A Concrete Delivery Is Lost Revenue
When employees stand around waiting for concrete, your business loses profits. Because these mixers are a mixer and mobile batch plant in one, concrete pours as needed, reducing employee downtime.
Precise Data, Accurate Business Decisions
With mobile concrete mixers, you can record when the mixer operated, how much concrete poured, and what the mix was to determine operating cost. Adding a GPS option allows you to track the mixer’s location and how long the mixer runs, allowing you to determine productivity and cost.
Time Is Money
Startup time and maintenance are other factors to consider when determining return on investment. If you purchase equipment that is difficult to start, maintain, and service, your operation could lose money.
To learn more about Cemen Tech’s mobile concrete mixers, please read our Most Popular Questions page, or contact us today to learn more about how Cemen Tech can help your business be more productive and save money!
