Driving Cement Mixer: How Does That Even Work?

Driving a cement mixer truck is only part time. Controlling the truck, washing, and working with contractors make up the rest. This crew of three take down a huge garage and patio by themselves. While they're working, I'll show you what all those switches do in a cement mixer.
I started this channel after I began driving cement mixer trucks in Eastern Washington. As a cement mixer truck driver, I enjoy watching trucker videos but rarely came across local truck driving jobs like cement trucks, pick-up and delivery, and construction. Judging by comments and questions I’ve seen on other truck driving channels, many people don’t realize that there is a side to the trucker lifestyle other than long haul OTR driving. I am excited to bring more truck driving content to the genre. I hope you enjoy it!
Please let me know in the comments what you like, what you don’t like, and what you’d like to see more of as I continue making videos. Thanks!

[@timbo8870]

Man, I miss drivin mixers. I was a 6x6 driver. Of all my driving and non driving jobs, mixer was the only job i wish i coulda held out a few more yrs. Things woulda gotten better. My last season i made $12,000

[@jodavies8952]

I've driven mixers for a long time ,its an entertaining job😀😳, plant breaking down, i phones going out of window, frequently wrong addresses, incorrect mixes, floods and gales, crap wages,forgotten promises, broken belts, blocked silos, computer system inoperative, generators breaking down, employers having a fit, vosa,lost hard hats, drum blades coming apart,blocked filters,football boots in mix, just to name a few. It's a job!, you don't stay clean, you love it or hate it. I don't do it for any reason but the fabulous entertainment its given me over the years. I've met good friends,seen inside dream homes, driven inside hydro mountains, nuclear power stations, remote forests, seen bridges built from start. The thing customers always ask, 'are you busy?' 😀

[@AlmightyMauMau]

So glad I worked for a mixer company that paid well and believed in staying up to date with the latest technology. Most companies are in the dark ages.

[@THAREDROOM27]

I was thinking the same thing glad cemex took care of their trucks and pay. That was one of my best job. Beats going to a warehouse. Only thing sucked was the schedule. But hey I can deal with that @@AlmightyMauMau I

[@randallaila6776]

Or how much you think you got left in there driver 😔

[@ExploringWithJacobOfficial]

I love this video, you’re Explaining very well!I got a job offer as a concrete driver and I’m worried I’m not going to know what to do

[@tbone231982]

Great video. I just started driving about a month ago, and I would have liked to have someone like you train me.

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

Yeah, been doin this for little over a year now, and I'm still learning things here n there.. My first few weeks were stressful af.. There's A LOT to learn

[@bullmoosepiper7732]

Absolutely fantastic video with great explanations - especially about slump. Thanks for taking the time to make this video. It is most appreciated. Cheers.

[@kevinbrown6803]

Great videos Driver. Thank you so much for making them . keep up the good work 👍 10-roger

[@aaronwright9284]

Thank you so much! Just got hired as a ready mix driver. Trying to learn as much as I can.

[@flyingwithjulio8567]

This is awesome, thank you!

[@Kram92]

I love how this varies in many ways, but only slightly, from agi’s in Australia

[@miguelmartinez9379]

10/10 Video Great Job Thanks!

[@thatguy8798]

Watched your vid, answered all the basic stuff i needed to know.thanks

[@dark_mast3r876]

I have been in the buiseness 10 plus years and looking at your videos answered a question for me thanks bro rishie. Trinidad

[@bodieb1233]

Really liked the video. Thanks for sharing.

[@bodieb1233]

This is what made our country. Real workers.

[@juliem1595]

Awesome vid

[@bobbrown5726]

I wondered what happened to excess concrete dumped in the yard. Glad you explained the eco blocks and recycling!

[@grabbinggears109]

Yeah I always wondered about that... do you drive trucks?

[@bobbrown5726]

@@grabbinggears109 I don’t drive trucks but I am very interested in them. I teach technical math at a community college, many of my students are in the diesel program, and I collect truck information to use in class. For example, why would anybody care about the volume of a 3D shape? An answer is with concrete, everybody involved needs to understand cubic yards, and it helps if you can translate measurements in feet and inches into yards. The videos you make are Totally AWESOME! Thank You for doing these!

[@grabbinggears109]

@@bobbrown5726 haha that's awesome! You found a whole new application for this stuff. Your students are lucky to have someone who's able to apply what they're learning to the real world. Amazing!

[@rachelthelen9450]

So many questions: 1. What if it’s raining, how does the rain not affect the “slump”? 2. When you rinse it out how does it not harden and mess with the ground you are rinsing it into? 3. When the drum spins faster or slower does that affect the slump too? 4. Thank you.

[@ytrdgvsss356]

"I know I'm in Reverse you don't have to beep at me" lol

[@lovetrain442]

I’ve driven dump trucks for 24 years and that is scary enough. Takes certain guys that can drive a mixer properly. Hats off to them!!

[@hectorgarcia-zv1wi]

Yea I seen the weight of the truck is on the top of the truck I feel nervous about doing it so I might pass California has so much work for mixer driver

[@ibelieveitcauseiseentit9630]

I drove a dump truck for 3 days and quit. (because I was 19 young and dumb) I asked the man that hired "don't I suppose to have a class a CDL to drive this?" He said "OH YES and we'll get you one real soon so be careful." Surprisingly he still let me drive and the first time I came to an intersection I slid through the entire intersection after trying to stop at the red light. Other than that brief incedent it wasn't scary at all. I should have kept the job because it would have been a free CDL AND he was supposed to teach me to be a carpenter. Really he was just a good man and I think he was trying to help me out. But you know, young and dump and full of pot. I didn't like picking up construction debris all day in the 110% heat so I quit. That's what I'd do, pick up all the construction scrap and debris and then dump it at the city dump. Driving it was easy... 🤔... Except for first time I came to an intersection and almost killed everyone.

[@richardgordon5001]

Ask before backing in there may be a pipe you don’t see or a septic tank line or the best case my ex wife laying down in the driveway in that case back in full speed

[@fredletendre5777]

Should have your chutes in sight when backing up and wash down from the top.

[@grabbinggears109]

Good call. How long have you been driving mixers?

[@fredletendre5777]

@@grabbinggears109 22 years

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

what the fk do u think? what makes sense? would u rather be blind or see?

[@grumpypoof9648]

I'm wondering if it's just easier to drive a rear discharge truck. All you need to worry about is pulling forward and back? I've been in the business a couple years but we drive front discharge and you have to be responsible for moving the chutes. I think I'd like just pulling forward little by little and not being responsible for where the concrete is going and how deep to pour it.

[@steveroberts673]

I couldn't agree more. I drive a phoenix daily and i thought to myself damn that would be nice to let them control that.

[@hectorortiz5746]

Man I’m looking into driving cement mixers but I’m really nervous in a career change from being a mechanic

[@miguelmartinez9379]

Are you in Colorado or Arizona by any chance?

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

Dude, you'll be just fine. Go for it. It's easy once u learn it. I switched careers too, and I do not regret it at all

[@richardgordon5001]

Great idea to read your ticket going down the highway! Just as bad as texting and driving- read it before you leave or pull over that’s exactly why concrete trucks roll over or have a incident/ accident

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

oh bullshit! like u never look at the radio for a second or two while ur driving! gimme a fkng break! We all avert our eyes for a second or two driving down the road! Ever look over at a deer? or a sign? same thing! Ur a fault finder and not very smart imo

[@AccountInactive]

1 gallon per yard brings you up 1 slump. Now that's the kind of information I look for in these videos. Got the job down here in Texas. Just waiting to be put with a trainer now. Been soaking up as much as possible before we start 👍 Quick question. When you're adding water to your load, how do you know or estimate how much water you're adding?

[@grabbinggears109]

Lol good question... it's a guess. A lot of trucks have meters on the fill valve that let's you keep track. But I don't have a meter so I count and assume about one second per gallon. It's close enough most of the time hahaha

[@andymetzger273]

1 gallon per yard is a myth

[@steveroberts673]

My truck is around 1 gallon per second so 10 seconds

[@RudyRivera60]

Don’t you mean 10 gallons will bring you up one slump?

[@luissoto8201]

My dream belive it or not 🤷‍♂️

[@hughstone713]

Here in Houston starting pay is 18.50. smh working 12-14 hrs.

[@chancelee4070]

Wow update

[@anthonyw.espreesr.9050]

Yes, indeed I had women mixer truck drivers in our company,transit mix

[@gnarkill7884]

What about the tractor trailer bulky ones at the concrete yards what do them guys do.go to terminal to terminals or to customers as well

[@steveroberts673]

Cement powder

[@TyronDante]

them suburbs be looking depressing, nice vid tho.

[@WarHawk919]

Im in CDL school currently and want to drive a concrete truck when I graduate!

[@inshenaparrott7675]

You don’t need cdls for concrete it’s class b

[@WarHawk919]

@@inshenaparrott7675 class b is a cdl

[@josea1531]

Well a Class B is a CDL. It's considered CDL because of the weight of the vehicle and the air breaks. Also, for this, you'll need a Tank endorsement

[@KayAimz]

@@inshenaparrott7675class b is a cdl 😂

[@KayAimz]

@@josea1531also you do not need a tanker endorsement I drive mixer cement trucks tanker endorsement is for liquids over 1000 gallons.

[@dansmith4061]

I drive a mixer and have 16 years on the other end of the shute, so you do a one thousand one, one thousand two count per gallon. But I watch my slump gauge. Full throttle charge it dances and when you slow it down it it tells you where you should be. It’s hard to explain but most importantly you need to know mix designs and after that you need to understand what retarders do and when you have 1 or 2 % in your load. Once you understand contractors will be begging for you every job.

[@johndavidson4128]

In ca we would go to jail for washing down on the dirt

[@richardgordon5001]

That’s all trucks - all trucks have a weight limit per axle

[@vegas9440]

Been driving reefer and van for the last 7years and just got hired with a concrete mix driver. At the interview, the manager said we hardly do tailgating but mostly “pumping “ what does that mean bc I know tailgating is when it slides down the chute?

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

U should've asked HIM

[@westcoasttrj]

Girl I wish I could help you lol.

[@theone8594]

How fast should one drive on the freeways when clear ?

[@user-bt6en9mb5t]

I've been driving for 24 years. These are called concrete trucks not cement trucks. Cement is an ingredient

[@wrath231]

What was your training like? Did start off with just a CDL?

[@tallboy7736]

I have the same controls I call it a game boy....I had a Pete and loved it but now I'm in a nice international it's a good truck but I really liked the pete

[@bp6087]

Thank you so much for sharing! I'm interested in starting a new career as a trucker, and I don't have the slightest clue where to begin. What was the training process like for you?

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

Well, for me, I had already had 20 years of driving experience driving/ operating a crane truck, dump truck, water tank truck, bucket truck while tree trimming, and now this, a concrete driver. I just started in July. This job is the easiest job I've ever had. But the first 3 months are stressful, like any new job. My new employer trained me for 2 weeks before I felt comfortable enough to go on my own. It was a challenge, and I was stressed because we had big, corporate concrete pours weekly when I was brand new. Those pours are nonstop back n forth to the plant to get loaded n back to the job site to unload. Go, go, go.. But other days and other jobs are so easy n simple.. The first couple months are really stressful, but it gets easier as u learn the job. That's normal with any job. Here, u need to be a good driver and operator with common sense, and u need good people skills too because every job is different and there are different types of ppl on all different types of jobs. 1. Never get in a hurry. 2. Be calm and polite and inquisitive: find out what is going on. 3. Realize that only U are in control of ur truck, and make good, safe decisions. They cannot make u do anything u are not comfortable with. Hope this helps. Once u learn the job, it is easy money. It takes some time to learn everything tho.

[@farouksellam7194]

Thank you 🙏 you seem super intelligent and wise

[@blackfriarsffc5232]

Hellooooo. Just a curious follow up…how’s the job working for you?

[@bp6087]

@@blackfriarsffc5232 Was that question meant for me? It's been a while.

[@blackfriarsffc5232]

@@bp6087Yes, it was. Hopefully things are going well for you.

[@ben437]

I drive a mixer in the UK, What are those high up wheels on the back near the loading funnel for? We dont have those

[@petejohnson8397]

they are air or hydraulic operated extra road wheels. with a heavy load you put them down while on public highways. that reduces your per wheel load on the roadway to keep you at a legal weight per axle/wheel.

[@ruwansampathsampath5797]

Hi

[@Thecatfishwhispererr]

What's a cement mixer? Is that the same thing as a concrete mixer?

[@garian_martin5586]

Why did you stop making videos

[@uglytruth4467]

looks like a good job. what the starting pay.

[@jared6361]

Depends where you live. $20-25 an hr

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

depends where u live

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

@@jared6361 no, like u said and I said, depends where u live... it's higher where I live..

[@richardgordon5001]

A 6 ain’t wet in Florida lol if they ask for a 6 bring a 9

[@RudyRivera60]

Same in Texas we’ve poured house slabs at a 8 driveways same

[@chardelraconner7324]

times are roof roof roof

[@barefoot191]

They are not cement mixers. Cement is just one of the components needed to make CONCRETE.

[@trevorweatherwax8795]

Anybody can drive a rear while everyone else dose the work.... Try driving a front discharge

[@quentinmcgaughy6475]

What the highest slump you can get

[@s3ndit958]

The highest I seen at my job was 9. That was pretty much flowing like water. Ridiculous

[@steveroberts673]

9-10 might as well say ruined...some LSM products and flowable fills are pretty loose.

[@s3ndit958]

@@steveroberts673 we just deliver. That’s what they wanted lol 🤷🏽

[@hugohernandez8754]

You work for American Rock?

[@grabbinggears109]

No I'm at AAA, but there's a bunch of drivers here that used to work for American Rock... you local?

[@rosas767]

I just got an offer for American rock. in Pasco.

[@stlvillianlive3769]

@@rosas767 did you take it, if so do you like it?

[@kissfreak4501]

A 7 for a drive? That will last 1 year lol

[@51-FS]

So how do u get the cement to come out of the tank thingy

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

pay attention. it's like a corkscrew. If u turn it one way, it all goes inward. If u turn it the other way, it comes outward. U have controls that turn the drum one way or the other. Controls are in the cab and outside the cab mounted on back side of the truck

[@fgrodriguezqac]

How much should you expect to get paid per hour? I was offered $34.50/hour, not sure if it is good enough. It would be my first time doing this kind of job.

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

where the fuck do u live, California?

[@fgrodriguezqac]

@@vaekkriinhart4347 New Jersey, why?

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

@@fgrodriguezqac because prices are different all around the country bro. A house in Jersey may cost $400k but in Kentucky it would cost $200k Wages are different in all areas around the country

[@chardelraconner7324]

A Maisto Alpina Is As Rare As A Hermes No Your Shitz

[@chardelraconner7324]

caskets coffins crying christmiss

[@nicksantangelo7217]

Absolutely I see alot of women drivers / operators

[@chardelraconner7324]

she cleaning who tote

[@franko69]

It's a Concrete Mixer, not a cement mixer FFS.

[@dandunning4409]

Its NOT a DAMN cement mixer!!!! Its a Concrete Mixer. Cement is a powder like flour. My gosh!!!!

[@vegas9440]

Is this tailgating

[@Lsutiger300]

Basically I work for red river ready mix in Louisiana and they threw me off saying that but u will basically be doing what he's doing

[@t.twashington4001]

Do you think women can do this job???

[@West_Coast]

There are women drivers.

[@grumpypoof9648]

Women already do this job just fine.

[@ConcreteLaddy3637]

Listen honey, cause I'm seeing alot of men in these vids lol but I'm not discouraged I got an interview anyway lol

[@t.twashington4001]

@@ConcreteLaddy3637 I’m actually driving dump trucks now😊 I started in April but the company has mixers as well. The mixers make more but it’s longer hours

[@ConcreteLaddy3637]

Yaaas, I'm trying to step into it coming from school busses