A central mix concrete batch plant has a considerably higher initial cost than a dry concrete batch plant. As in any business, the ready-mix producer must receive a return on their investment or why spend the money. So, the question is, why central mix when the initial cost is so much higher? Here are 6 reasons a central mix concrete batch plant contributes to higher profits in the long term.
1- Truck maintenance. A mixer truck that only rotates its drum at 1 to 2 rotations per minute for agitation will require substantially less maintenance than a mixer truck rotating its drum 16 or 20 rotations per minute for 5-minute durations 4 to 6 times each working day to mix the product. This reduction uses less fuel, and drastically lowers the wear and tear on the motor, drum, and drive system.
2-Higher strength. A mixer truck is designed for multiple purposes: receive the material into the drum, mix the material, transport the load on streets, highways, and job sites, and auger the finished product out of the drum for use. Mixer trucks complete a multitude of functions to do their job. Mixer truck manufacturers, because of the multiple functions needed and limitations on height, width, and weight, compromise on design of individual functions to ensure the truck can complete all the functions needed. One of these key functions is mixing the material. A concrete tilt mixer only has one job, mix concrete, and it does it very well.
3- Quality concrete. Today’s world of high liability, elaborate mix designs, and numerous admixtures, the ready-mix industry still heavily relies on the mixer driver to produce the finished product. A central mix batch plant allows the batch plant operator to not only batch the load, but mix and check the load to ensure all quality standards are met.
4-Faster loading. A typical dry concrete batch plant will load a truck in 3 to 4 minutes. A central mix concrete batch plant will load a truck in 1.5 to 2 minutes. This means on average a dry batch plant will load 18 trucks per hour, while a central mix batch plant will load 34 trucks per hour.
5- Environmental impact. Cleaner mixer trucks from loading with wet materials and dust elimination reduces the use of cleaners and acids, which are expensive and can be harmful to the environment. Ready mix truck engines operate at a high RPM to charge and mix the material in the drum. A central mix plant can reduce that high RPM time by 1/2, reducing fuel cost and lowering the environmental impact.
6- Cleaner trucks. Central mix plants provide almost total containment of dust and the mixer truck drum being loaded wet remains much cleaner than a mixer being loaded with dry materials. Annual jackhammer labor to clean out drums is dramatically reduced with central mix as well.