4 Easy Steps to Cleaning a Portable Concrete Mixer

It is important to invest in quality, heavy equipment for your construction crew, so they can complete each project successfully. You know that not every project is the same and that you need the best tools for each of them. That includes portable concrete mixers that you can take with you to each job site. But getting rid of the hardened concrete in your drum can slow you down. Here’s how the experts at BN Products-USA, LLC recommend you clean your concrete mixer.

What You’ll Need

Before you get started, make sure you have the following:

• Chisel
• Pneumatic hammer or rubber mallet
• Hose fitted with a high-pressure nozzle
• Gravel
• Hydrochloric acid
• Breathing mask
• Safety goggles
• Rubber gloves

Step 1:

To get started, turn on your portable concrete mixer so it starts spinning. Gradually add a couple of gallons of water and a gravel mixture to help knock the hardened concrete loose. If you don’t know how much gravel or water to add, consult the user’s manual for the correct ratio. For the best results, add the water first, followed by the gravel.

Step 2:

As your drum spins, beat the exterior lightly with the hammer or mallet to loosen any of the hardened concrete. Let your drum spin for two to three minutes, then empty it. Once you’ve emptied all of the water and gravel, use your high-powered spray nozzle to rinse the inside of the drum. The pressure may knock large chunks off the walls of the drum, so be sure you wear your safety goggles and a breathing mask to protect your eyes and lungs from any dust and debris.

Step 3:

Using your chisel, scrape out any remaining concrete from the drum. This step may take some extra power, so use your hammer if needed. It’s likely that your first cycle of cleaning didn’t remove all of the concrete caked to the inside of your drum, so be prepared to take some extra time during this step. Remove as much of the concrete as you can before proceeding to the final cleaning step.

Step 4:

In the final step, you will use your rubber gloves, breathing mask, safety goggles, and the hydrochloric acid diluted with water. In a bucket, add one part acid to two parts water, and then slowly add the mixture to the spinning drum. Note: It’s important to add the acid to the water, not the other way around, to prevent splashing and chemical burns. Tilt your mixer in different directions so that the acid solution reaches all areas of the drum. Once all of the concrete has been dissolved, dispose of the liquid and rinse your drum thoroughly with water. Before you use the mixer again, allow the drum to dry completely.

If you’re in the market for portable concrete mixers for your construction business, then turn to the industry-leading expert at BN Products-USA in Wickenburg, AZ. We offer a variety of heavy-duty tools across North and Central America, as well as in the Caribbean. To contact us about our current inventory, call (800) 992-3833 today.