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Chengli Automobile Industry Park, Suizhou, Hubei, China
Transit Mixer vs. Volumetric Mixer: Which Is Best For Your Job?
Do you need concrete for your job? Not sure which mixer to use? I can help!
At CLW GROUP, we make many kinds of trucks. We know all about concrete and how to mix it. Today, I want to tell you about two kinds of mixers: the transit mixer and the volumetric mixer.
What Is a Transit Mixer?
A transit mixer is a big truck with a round drum that spins. You may have seen them on the road. They look like trucks with big cones on the back that turn round and round.
These trucks get concrete from a batch plant. The plant mixes cement, sand, rocks, and water. Then the truck brings it to your job site.
Our cement mix trucks are strong and can carry lots of concrete. They are good for big jobs where you need the same kind of concrete all day long.
What Is a Volumetric Mixer?
A volumetric mixer is like a small batch plant on wheels. It has bins for sand and rocks. It has a tank for water. It has a place for cement too.
This truck mixes concrete right at your job site! It makes just what you need, when you need it.
How They Work: The Big Difference
Here’s the main thing to know:
- Transit Mixer: Makes concrete at a batch plant, then brings it to you.
- Volumetric Mixer: Brings all the stuff to make concrete to you, then mixes it there.
Think of it like this:
- A transit mixer is like buying a cake from a store.
- A volumetric mixer is like bringing all the cake stuff to your house and making it there.
When To Use Each Kind
Use a Transit Mixer When:
- You need LOTS of the same concrete
- Your job is near a batch plant
- You need concrete fast
- You have room for a big truck
Our tipper trucks can help bring sand and rocks to the batch plant to make the concrete for your job!
Use a Volumetric Mixer When:
- You need small bits of concrete
- You need to change the mix as you work
- Your job is far from a batch plant
- You don’t want to waste concrete
- You need to be very exact
Let’s Compare Them
Here’s how they stack up:
| What We Look At | Transit Mixer | Volumetric Mixer |
|---|---|---|
| Where It Mixes | At a plant | At your job |
| Fresh Concrete | Gets old on long trips | Always fresh |
| Can Change Mix | No | Yes |
| Waste | Can have some | Almost none |
| Good For | Big jobs | Small or picky jobs |
| Needs | Big truck path | Just space to park |
Transit Mixer vs. Volumetric Mixer: Key Differences
Choosing the right concrete delivery method is crucial for any construction project. Understand the fundamental distinctions between transit mixers and volumetric mixers to make an informed decision based on your project’s specific needs.
Mixing Location
Transit Mixer
Concrete is mixed at a centralized batch plant off-site and then transported to the job site.
Volumetric Mixer
Raw materials are carried on the truck and mixed on-site, on-demand, as needed.
Concrete Freshness
Transit Mixer
Freshness is time-dependent; risk of concrete setting or losing slump during transit, especially over long distances.
Volumetric Mixer
Always fresh as it’s mixed just before placement, eliminating concerns about slump loss or setting.
Mix Design Flexibility
Transit Mixer
Limited flexibility once batched; mix design is predetermined at the plant and cannot be easily changed.
Volumetric Mixer
High flexibility to change mix designs, slump, or add admixtures on-the-fly, even mid-pour.
Quantity Control
Transit Mixer
Ordered in fixed batch sizes (e.g., full truckloads), leading to potential over or under-ordering.
Volumetric Mixer
Precise metering of all components allows for exact quantity mixing, down to the nearest cubic foot.
Material Waste
Typical Batch Size (Cubic Yards)
Site Access
Transit Mixer
Requires ample space for truck maneuvering, turning radius, and chute placement.
Volumetric Mixer
Often more adaptable to tight or remote sites as it carries raw materials and mixes where needed.
Operator Skill Requirements
Transit Mixer
Primarily requires a skilled truck driver; concrete quality control handled by the batch plant.
Volumetric Mixer
Requires a skilled operator trained in concrete technology and equipment calibration for optimal mix quality.
Initial Investment
Transit Mixer
Initial cost for a basic truck can be lower, but relies on batch plant infrastructure investment by supplier.
Volumetric Mixer
Typically higher initial investment due to complex metering and storage systems on board.
Good and Bad Points
Transit Mixer Good Points:
- Can bring lots of concrete at once
- Fast for big jobs
- What most people use
Transit Mixer Bad Points:
- Concrete can get hard if stuck in traffic
- Can’t change the mix once it’s made
- Might bring too much or too little
- Must be near a batch plant
Volumetric Mixer Good Points:
- Fresh concrete when you need it
- Very exact
- Less waste
- Good for small jobs
- Works far from town
Volumetric Mixer Bad Points:
- Slower for very big jobs
- Needs a smart person to run it
- Can cost more to start
Real Job Example
Job A needed a big floor for a store. It used 50 loads from a transit mixer. It worked fast and had no waste.
Job B was for homes with small jobs all over. It used one volumetric mixer. It made just what was needed, with no waste.
Cost Talk
The cost is not just about the price per yard. Think about:
- How far you are from a batch plant
- How much concrete might be wasted
- If you need to change the mix
- How big your job is
At CLW GROUP, we help pick the right truck for your job. We make special trucks for all kinds of work. Our team can help you choose what’s best.
Which Is Right For You?
The best choice depends on YOUR job:
- Big job, same mix? → Transit mixer
- Small job or need to change the mix? → Volumetric mixer
- Far from town? → Volumetric mixer
- Need it fast and all the same? → Transit mixer
Get The Right Mix
Concrete is key to a good job. The right mixer makes all the difference.
At CLW GROUP, we make top trucks for all your needs. From water tank trucks to material handling cranes, we have what you need.
Tell us about your job. We can help you pick the right mixer for YOUR work.
Trust us to get you the right tool for the job!
