WHAT ARE MOBILE CONCRETE TERMS?

The terms listed here describe mobile concrete components, systems, or functions, with many found throughout the concrete and/or construction industry. Over the years some terms have developed that are unique to mobile concrete mixers and are listed in parentheses.

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A

Admix Flow Valve: The admix control valves are manually operated and located close to the admix flowmeters in the control panel. They provide a means for controlling the flow rate of admixture in to the concrete in ounces or quarters per minute or gallons per hour. Also ml or liters.

Admix Tanks: UV resistant poly tanks mounted to the side of the unit which provides carrying capacity for liquid admixtures.

Aerator Pad: Installed inside the cement bin, the aerator pads help promote consistent flow of cement. They’re particularly helpful after the mixer has driven to a job site where the cement can become compacted.

B

Belt Wiper: A solid rubber strip mounted between two steel plates. The strip is on the bottom side of the conveyor belt before the point where materials fall into the mixer. Its function is to scrape material from the conveyor belt.

Bin Seals (Front Bin Seals): A pair of rubber flaps, mounted at the front of the sand bin and at the front of the stone bin, which rides on the conveyor belt. These flaps prevent sand and coarse aggregate from leaking from the front of the bin.

C

Cement Bin: Weather tight hopper that holds dry cement powder. It has a rectangular loading hatch and a bag breaking grate. An optional pneumatic fill system is available.

Cement Bin Lower Auger (Metering Auger): Lower auger inside the cement bin and is partly encased inside a steel pipe. It consistently and accurately meters the cement into the transfer auger.

Cement Bin Top Auger: Upper most auger contained inside the cement bin. This auger forces the cement to the outside of the cement bin where it’s picked up by the metering auger.

Cement Feeder Clutch: The dog or pin type clutch enables the cement feeder to disengage from its drive. This lets the conveyor belt to operate without discharging cement from the cement bin. The clutch disengages during aggregate calibration and also when necessary to empty aggregate from the aggregate bin.

Cement Transfer Auger: This auger deposits the metered cement into the mixer throat.

Chutes (Extension Chutes): All concrete mobile units have at least two and up to three chutes attached to the discharge end of the mixer assembly.

Conveyor Belt Assembly: The conveyor belt assembly consists of two parallel roller chains with one-inch angle iron cross bars welded between their side plates. A two-ply rubber covering bolts to these cross bars to complete the assembly.

Conveyor Chain Oiler: The conveyor chain oiler consists of a reservoir, valves, hoses and the dripper assembly. It provides oil to the conveyor chain and the conveyor rail. It operates automatically only when the conveyor belt is running.

Count (Meter Reading): The number shown on the digital register when concrete production stops or the number shown on the counter for a specific amount of material. This is the number used to determine the amount of concrete produced.

D

Dial Plate (Dial Face): A circular, indexed plate which allows the bin gates to be set at a specific opening.

Drain Cock: Drain cocks are located at all low points in the water and admix systems (the water pump, water strainer, and various points in the water lines). These allow the system to drain and blow out when the ambient temperature is below freezing.

Dry Color System: Water tight steel hopper which holds the dry pigment used in the manufacture of color concrete. The dry pigment discharges through the auger and has a  reverse mechanism for cleanout.

F

Flighting: The flighting is welded to the auger shaft and provides most of the conveying action for the mixer system.

I

Inclinometer: The inclinometer determines and displays the mixer angle when in operating position.

M

Meter-Register (Meter-Register-Ticket-Printer, Cement Meter): A counter mechanically linked to the cement feeder and records revolutions of the cement feeder times 10. Most have ticket printers with all meter-register reading imprinted on a delivery ticket. The meter-register reading helps determine the number of cubic yards of concrete delivered.

Mix Auger (Auger): An “interrupted” auger consisting of flighting and small paddles. The mix auger is driven by hydraulic motors and provides the mixing action. It’s equipped with long life Ni-Hard wear blades.

Mixer Assembly: The mixer assembly includes the trough, mix auger, motor, covers, and mixer trough bottom.

Mixer Bearing Assembly (Auger Bearing, Bottom Bearing): All mix augers have either an external or internal bearing to support the receiving or bottom end of the mix auger within the mixer trough.

Mixer Trough: A mixer trough consists of steel sides and end plates along with the rubber mixer trough bottom. It provides a housing for the mix auger.

Mix Water Flow Control Valve: A manually adjusted value in the water system which provides control of the water flow to the mix. The valve is in the control panel of the unit.

P

Paddles: Paddles are small blades mounted perpendicular to the auger shaft and promote mixing in the mix auger.

Pneumatic Fill System: An optional system to allow you to fill your cement bin directly from a bulk tanker. It consists of a fill pipe with an adapter the tanker connects to and vents on top of the cement bin which filters the air as it escapes from the cement bin.

Q

Quick Acting Valve: A mechanically, electrically, hydraulically, or air operated valve in the water system or admix system tied to the conveyor control. When the conveyor turns on, the quick acting valve opens, allowing a pre-set flow of mixing water to enter the mixer. When the conveyor control turns off, the quick acting valve automatically closes and stops the water flow.

S

Sand Bin: The left hand (driver’s side) compartment of the aggregate bin. It holds approximately 45 percent of total volume of the aggregate bin.

Skirting (Rubber Guide, Flashing): Adjustable rubber strips mounted inside the sand and stone bins and also on the center bin divider. These strips prevent sand and stone from leaking from the bins or moving from one bin to the other. The skirting has no fabric plys.

Stone Bin: The right hand (passenger side) compartment of the aggregate bin. It holds approximately 55 percent of the total volume of the aggregate bin.

V

Vibrator Timing Cube: PLC controller which regulates the intensity and duration of the vibrator system.

Vibrator: Air operated and sometimes electric-powered vibrators used in the cement bins, sand bins, and as optional equipment on the stone bins for consistent material flow.

W

Water Flowmeter: The water flowmeter indicates the amount of water flowing through the mix water system in either gallons or liters per minute. It’s found in the control panel.

Washout Hose: A 5/8” ID hose connected to the water system used for cleaning the unit after mixing completes, wetting down the chutes before delivery, washing tools, and so on.

Water Tank: UV resistant, fully baffled tank mounted between the back of the truck cab and the aggregate bin. The water tank provides the water for concrete mixing and washout.

Water Pump: Hydraulically controlled pump to provide water flow for mixing of concrete and washout.

Water Flow Control: Hydraulic control valve, found in the control panel, which regulates the water pressure in the water system. The water pressure can increase to 100 psi for washout.

Water Pressure Relief Valve: This valve helps the water system maintain constant pressure regardless of flow.

Water Shut Off Valve: A valve in the water system next to the water tank. This allows the water tank to remain full but the lines to empty — blown out using compressed air — when the ambient temperature is below freezing.

Water Strainer: The water strainer, if equipped, permits materials such as sand, leaves, and sticks from entering the water system or the concrete being mixed.

Wear Blades & Wear Segments: These are nickel alloy castings bolted to either the mix auger or the mix auger paddles mounts.

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