Harbor Freight 67536 Cement Mixer Overview and Action

[@tractortherapy42]

I'm thinking about getting a MudMixer and getting rid of this on Craigslist. Anyone interested in the MudMixer and want a review?

[@robertburton304]

I Have owned the Exact Same Mixer for 10 Years ..left out side ...Still works like a Charm !...paid for itself Long ago !

[@cirruscop]

I purchased one of these with a 30% off coupon. I put it together with some red locktite and made sure I had an assortment of spare nuts and bolts, just in case. I have used it for making a sidewalk utilizing 80 LB bags; which will take two bags quite nicely. So far, I have mixed a good 160 bags through it and it’s holding up! Remember to locktite the critical gear nuts and have some good silicone sealer for the drum seal. Best $160 I’ve spent in awhile.

[@robertingrassia2637]

If you purchased this from H.F. you did not get NO 30% off,Central Machinery is an item excluded from all discount coupons(fine print items excluded).Believe me I've tried numerous time to purchase this exact same item,Have NEVER been allowed to apply any discount coupon

[@cirruscop]

Not true, at least once a year, sometimes twice, Harbor Freight allows the coupon to used on EVERYTHING! Or the actual ad will say so or it will specifically have a highlighted coupon for the cement mixer. I will try to find the receipt. But, I’m know what I paid for the item. Thank you very much

[@cirruscop]

I googled “Harbor Frieght concrete mixer sale” and their are numerous guys like me, whom got a killer deal. Doesn’t happen often, but it does happen.

[@investorgeny]

Thank you for taking the time to review this CENTRAL MACHINERY 3-1/2 Cubic Ft. Cement Mixer from Harbor Freight. As of Thursday, May 16th, 2024, it's currently listed at $269.99 on the website. I was checking out the BAUER 4 cu. ft. Cement Mixer, which is listed at $329.99 as a Member-Only deal with a $50.00 off. It has a capacity of about 1/2 cu. ft. larger than the Central Machinery cement mixer. According to Harbor Freight's website, the Bauer "cement mixer can mix up to two 80 lb. bags of concrete, stucco, or mortar."

[@jamesleigh9843]

New coupon just came out. With coupon it brings the Central Machinery mixer down to $199. Probably going to pick one up tomorrow for some projects.

[@WhoDoUthinkUr]

assembled mine yesterday Instructions are crap thanks for the video.

[@royhoco5748]

I bought a HF mixer for mixing potting soil for use in my greenhouse, it sure takes a lot of the work out of the mixing process.

[@tractortherapy42]

What a great idea - love it!!! - I'm going to try that to mix some peat moss and sand, soil mix! Thanks for stopping by - be sure to like and subscribe!

[@Fergusbaddog]

Awesome idea - my new mixer is now duel purpose - thanks!!!

[@politicalpartyagnostic268]

Maybe that is what I should use mine for. It should be good for something.

[@tarstarkusz]

This thing has gone up a hundred dollars since this video was made. Right now, HF is using this video on its website and he mentions the 150 price a few times. Well, it's now 250!!!

[@royhoco5748]

@@tarstarkusz everything I need to run my homestead has gone up in price and some things are not available and have not been available for months.

[@Starkster50]

I have some project including a small sidewalk, I will buy new and just keep it and my family can use it as well, excellent video, thanks for taking the time to make it !

[@jmdpo17]

Same here. Tired of mixing by hand and have several hime projects. Cant wait to try it

[@danmar611]

I love mine. For little it beats renting and you can do the project on your time and not on the rentals time

[@charredskeleton]

I like your teqnique, starting with the bucket turned upright.

[@stevehunt3121]

I just bought one of these and assembled it today. Since this video, manufacturer added a sheet to help you sort out the confusing hardware.

[@jellyluo1182]

We have other no drum mixer machine much more convenient.

[@tractortherapy42]

Glad to hear that. It was a bit of a bear to get it together, but mine's still going strong.

[@dallasbeus2117]

@@jellyluo1182 What is a no drum mixer machine?

[@dallasbeus2117]

SH: How has your mixer worked for you?

[@jellyluo1182]

Dallas Beus could you send me your email or WhatsApp?i send more informations for u

[@davidleatherneck]

I have one of these mixers. After using it the first time I could see the center of the drum was doing a poor job of mixing. So, I did what a few others suggested and flipped the 2 blades end for end. Small end at top and big end at the bottom. Now the center mixes well. Thanks

[@Popeye151]

I have one of these and have worked it non stop setting fence posts for about 3 months now. Not a minute of trouble once we got it assembled.

[@cpnmikes]

I bought this mixer about 2 years ago for the $150 he mentions in the video.. one of the best $150's I have ever spent. It is not going to take much abuse, but for someone who is a bit careful with their tools it very much does the job. Best with (1) 80# bag of concrete mix at a time, more than you need to work harder to keep it in the barrel or get it to mix properly.. or small batches I mixed a lot of sand/gravel/portland with it. Paid for itself and then some. Good video figured a lot of guys would watch this to make a decision!

[@unl987]

Do you have a recommendation on the best wheel barrow to use with this- Basically one that is short enough to fit under the mixer? I am going to be pouring about 50 cubic feet of new floor in my basement

[@normbal]

Thanks. Good video, clear, well-organized and presented. This really helped make my decision on renting/buying or just having concrete delivered to my farm site outside Columbia, TN. I’ve got 4 projects pending, maybe a fifth, roughly 100 bags of concrete to mix and not all on the same day so delivery, waste, washout, etc., would add up pretty fast. I ran one of these one summer in high school before I joined the Army many years ago, can’t see that the “science” has changed much at all. Just gotta find a coupon.😊

[@donie5780]

Mine works great. It paid for itself on the first job I did. Saved $2,000. Definitely worth the money.

[@jtdundee]

With a full sized wheelbarrow, it helps to set the mixer on 3 concrete blocks.

[@tractortherapy42]

Great tip!

[@ShakespeareCafe]

Because it’s so cheap some might scrimp on cleaning out well after use If you’ve tried to remove cement or concrete from a dried mixer it’s almost impossible

[@rcppop3090]

ShakespeareCafe I made the mistake of mixing some “fast set red bag concrete” at 3:30pm on a hot summer day!!! Hahaha Seriously couldn’t get it out of the mixer before it dried up ROCK HARD! HAHAHAHA You could literally hear it crackling in the mixer as I was trying to pour it out! Haha I ended up having to chip it out with my roto hammer! My hammer is a BOSCH by the way 😎 some tools you just can’t skimp on! 🤣😂

[@natehill8069]

Didnt you watch Mythbusters? All it takes is a stick of dynamite.

[@DJDisalwaysright]

Amen on the instructions…. The motor started to struggle and cut out towards the end of pouring a 12x10 slab

[@jackriley5974]

Cut the bag as you did on top of the mixer but do it on the ground or better yet on a makeshift table. Pull the bag up from the middle and "saw" through the remaining half from the under side with your hand creating two halves. They're much easier to handle and allow for adding to the drum partially filled with water while rotating. Water needs to be first in the drum!!

[@lennydickson9296]

Jack, Thank you for this tip. I'm about to do 30 80 lb bags and was dreading it.

[@goofsaddggkle7351]

300K views - think you probably helped a few people out by now!

[@devonteforeman]

Silica is no joke I force my crew to wear masks on all of our sites. Great video!

[@rosewoodsteel6656]

Agreed! Safety glasses should be worn, as well. Get it in your eye once and you'll never do it again..

[@mysterion4301]

I'm almost 68 and was recently diagnosed with COPD; never smoked in my life. I've been a contractor since '88 and always wore protection for serious actors, but often ignored dusts. Be sure to get good masks as a basic 'dust mask' may not seal out well enough to save your lungs or those of your crews. Best regards.

[@UncaTuck]

I'm buying one on Monday...I'm so excited!

[@tractortherapy42]

Whoa fella...it's just a concrete mixer. Let's not get carried away! :)

[@elcheche6561]

Where you still excited when you opened the box and saw how much of a pain in the ass the assembling was with the poor instructions if any

[@ArabXian]

Haha! Glad someone else didn't align the arrows when building theres. The internal blades seem to be correct (pretty much). Gonna try mixing some Sakrete tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.

[@rcppop3090]

Stockton Accelerated I’ve mixed 2 60# sacks at one time it gets a little sloppy if tilted too much but you can do it.

[@rawbdiggity]

Excellent video exactly the info I was looking for, thanks

[@mi2tn]

Thanks for showing this. I didn't know they were out there. This would be right up my alley. Small enough and not to big.

[@tractortherapy42]

Glad it was useful! It's been working great and cheaper than renting (for me anyway)

[@highspeedboom]

I have used one of these. Good for the price. The electric motor is weak, wears out fast, but is easily replaced with a higher quality motor. FYI wood post in concrete and dirt causes rot from water damage and gives termites a easy path to the wood. Best to pore concrete then use air gap spacers to attach the wood post above the concrete with concrete bolts ect.. will last longer and termites have a more difficult time getting to the wood

[@dgb192]

Great video and I learned what I need to know. Appreciate it. Very cool.

[@jamespettway1771]

Good review. Useful. Thanks

[@michaelraphael2160]

Very informative. I'm getting one for mixing soil for soil blocks. I also saw a way to rig it up to sift rocks. Also, I think it's funny how some people on here say you're using too much water and some say not enough. Everyone's a critic

[@tractortherapy42]

The old adage 'don't believe everything you read' applies in spades on the internet! Thanks for stopping by!

[@dr.hawkraps8457]

Gotta admit, I'm in the "too much" camp. Or at least, the add it in slowly camp. Alot easier to add more water than add more concrete.

[@grjoe4412]

The amount of water is paramount to the strength and durability of the concrete. It's the most important factor. Don't take it lightly.

[@pkope6849]

Good , informative video... Well spoken , Thank You..👍👍

[@robertburton304]

I did Change out the Wheels for Blowup Tires !

[@rcppop3090]

Robert Burton fantastic idea. One of mine is bent. I guess that’s one con I didn’t mention. The wheels are garbage.

[@juanbuzta2236]

...great machine.... the water first and after the cement

[@mrmeener625]

good video and well done. when I do fence posts I used to mix the concrete but you can put some water in the hole empty the bag of dry concrete add more water jam a big crowbar in it up and down come back the next day and it will look just like you mixed it in the mixer. fence guys told me they do not even add water the concrete will suck in enough from the soil to harden it

[@tractortherapy42]

I've seen folks do this as well. I guess I'm a little particular about it! I'm using the mixer for other projects as well, but your point is well taken on the fencing type work! Thanks for stopping by!

[@goshen574]

Not true. That all depends on how much water is drawn. Most of the time the center of the powder pile, the area where the beam is located, is still powder and thus not doing what it should do, keep the beam in place. I’ve heard of people just pulling the beam right out of the ground because they did it the last way I.e. not mixing the concrete

[@juanbuzta2236]

I mix 8 yards in my shop by my self with recycled concrete and cement...and the machine still running 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♀️

[@valerianpantsulia5137]

Great experience and a good video, thank you✌

[@c50ge]

If you remove the paddles tumble your rusty chains it will clean them up an also clean the mixer.

[@tractortherapy42]

That's a great idea - I'll have to try that!

[@mgreiner408]

Awesome!!! Very beneficial to me.

[@bze06fishinbwai63]

I just assembled mine, but with nothing inside it, it spin very slow...any idea on what I did wrong? Great Vid, Thanks!!!

[@alansanborn62]

Its a good mixer for the price ,and yes instructions for assembly suck fortunately another you tuber made it easy , there are many videos out there mine still works bought in 2010

[@SquirrelsForAll]

Great video, thanks for posting!

[@TheUnofficialMaker]

Wear your hearing protectors with this beast, but does an awesome job, 1 80# bag at a time is what I do. Have run over a hundred bags over the last 3 years and still goin.

[@danburch9989]

I have a question about the 3.5 cu ft capacity. An 80lb bag of quikrete makes .6 cu ft of concrete. My math says it should hold about 6 bags. Is that 3.5 cu ft dry mix before water or after? Or is that the volume of the drum in which case you wouldn't use more than about 2-3 bags? I need to mix about 75 bags for a walkway. No access for for a concrete mixing truck.

[@robertsetren3307]

Dan Burch 80lb. Bag makes 0.66 cu ft

[@getsmart2594]

would you know how many bags Dan can use ?

[@comptoncivil7143]

I’m just a new subscriber and I’m really enjoying your channel. Great work

[@stevenwoodcock8702]

My uncle bought one of these, drilled a bunch of holes in the drum and uses it to wash oysters lol

[@MetrologyEngineer]

Besides the price of buying one I just don't think I can afford to buy one based on the storage space it would take up/time to sell one used.

[@natehill8069]

Been wanting one of these. Thanks.

[@photorealm]

Thanks for the video :) It did help a lot putting the mixer together.

[@fernandolopez-xy1kr]

You can mix 2 packages or just 1.

[@Hizenbird]

Am I the only one that actually measures the amount of water I use?I use two containers. One container holds the ideal amount of water to use (I believe it's 3L per 80lbs bag) and the other container holds another 1.7 liter of water which is the max that should be used in addition to the 3L that is used.That way I never use more than the directions say.

[@jsmith5252]

After learning that I've been mixing it too thin all these years, I'm gonna start measuring.

[@SuperQuickfix1]

Try filling sand bags with a dry mix of cement, sand, and aggregate. After the moisture in the ground hits it, you won't want to be the one on a jackhammer.

[@ironnads7975]

It's very amateur to measure the water.

[@curtisshields1063]

No, you're not. I fill a 55-gallon drum with water, put it near the mixer, and mark a few 2-gallon buckets with the required water level. Takes the guesswork out of it - compressive strength goes down sharply with added water over design amounts, and it's one less thing to mess with when I'm trying to slam out a patio slab or something.

[@rcppop3090]

Ya you’re the only one.

[@jsmith5252]

Been researching mixers for a couple days now. After reading reviews and assembly videos, I think this is the one I'm gonna get. On the issue of water, I've always thought it was supposed to be the consistency of a milk shake (like the way this guy has it) . But I've recently heard that the most common mistake is too much water. When I saw the video on what it SHOULD look like, I was surprised. Its really supposed to be thicker. Good video, but I hate the intro music!

[@politicalpartyagnostic268]

So are you happy with it??? I seriously hate mine. I wish I had paid more and purchased a good cement mixer.

[@royhoco5748]

@@politicalpartyagnostic268 sell the mixer and buy what you really want.

[@my54vette]

Your video helped me on deciding to get this mixer. I am thinking of repainting the drum with epoxy based appliance spray paint be for i assemble the drum. I wounder if it would make it easier to clean? BTW/There is another video on how to assembly the mixer, and how inaccurate the instructions are. Luckily i saw that video and understand about the arrows.

[@LittleGirl1023]

Nice video. Im still not sure if i put screws in right place. I hate the instructions. Can you tell me when do you use concrete with rocks versus concrete without? I want to make pavers and smooth walkway. Thank you

[@tractortherapy42]

Hi PamE - thanks! Yeah, the instructions leave alot to the imagination :) You can make a mortar mix for pavers with cement and sand an no rock - or add any type of aggregate to make it stronger. Pea gravel is common in lots of mixes. For walkways, a bigger rock would help it be stronger. Around here they call it 57 gravel - it's about 1/2-3/4"" crushed rock. The ratios are important as well...

[@LittleGirl1023]

@@tractortherapy42 Thank you!

[@elmarty4803]

I have this mixer, it bogs down with an 80 pound bag of concrete. Not sure why as some of these videos show it working well. I like the mixer, saved me a ton of work, but I wish I could figure out the 80 pound bog down on the motor.

[@gary24752]

Easy. If you don't have at least a 3/4 horse motor on it it is going to bog down.

[@concerned_2023]

Yeah, the instructions were confusing. I did get mine together eventually.

[@houndsmanone4563]

Thanks TT. I'm about to purchase this mixer.

[@mannyfilmsinc]

Very Informative, thanks!

[@bluefj-wc3vz]

Lol just went through that whole align the arrows to align the internal paddles my dang self. Had everything lock tighted and all before i realized had to take it back apart.

[@781coolmind]

Dam good video

[@tractortherapy42]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@sagnbaby]

theyre now 269!!! good bye old days!!!

[@gijo5088]

the 2 arrows you talk about on mine where both stuck on the top potion of the drum, so that didn't help me at all. I agree with the bolt labeling.... they could have done better by laying all the bolts out and including a picture with the number above them. So you know which is the all-tread and what was for other uses.. The hardest part I had was getting that damn handle down with the spring in it to get the bolt in.. that spring was tuff to compress!!!!

[@tractortherapy42]

Agree! Putting the thing together was a pain in the arse. I wish I video'd it - I think I made up a few new swear words.

[@jingliu4782]

will the round handle help in some way?

[@59trader43]

nicevideo ,how are you gauging how much water your putting in with the hose ,your not measuring then ?

[@tractortherapy42]

Just on feel. It would be better to measure using a bucket.

[@bdass68ss]

Very informative..thank you for your time..I'm sold

[@tractortherapy42]

Glad it was helpful!

[@iflytango]

So if a 3.5 cu.ft. mixer, it can take 5 80# sacks at a time?

[@Mudman290]

Put grease on the gears on back and the noise will go away almost.

[@redsuitexperiencemarketing9255]

Great review, thank you!

[@jimdetweiler8166]

How do you come up with Three and a half cubic feet of concrete? An eighty pound bag is .6 cubic feet. Two of them would only be a little over a cubic foot.

[@tractortherapy42]

Remember you have to add water. Quikrete Instructions: Allow at least 1 cu ft (28 L) of mixer capacity for each 80 lb (36.3 kg) bag of QUIKRETE® Concrete Mix to be mixed at one time. Also if you over fill, you won't be able to tip the mixer out without spilling it everywhere. You can't really fill it to the max capacity.

[@mihaipopa9414]

Thank you!

[@patrickknapp5867]

Thank you for such a nice video

[@tractortherapy42]

Thanks for the nice comment!

[@FansSports]

Thanks!

[@utahreadiness]

Great information! Thank you

[@BigM-s4y]

Huge tip with getting concrete off your hands with vinegar. Thank you.

[@ek79e.11]

Thank you sir I have a new house it’s all dirt in my backyard. My first project is do a 3 feet walk way around my house then patio etc. This mixer would help a lot I’ll do the form around the house and pour concrete by section that way I don’t overwhelm my self. Thanks again sir! What’s the ideal size and inches thick of my walk way, anyone has a suggestions please? To save money and make a good decent project DIY.Thanks!

[@oauzzie]

Ek79 E. Hello! 3 inches is a good thickness for a walkway. Some recommend up to 4, but if you’re not moving heavy machinery it’s better to save the money and stick to 3 inches. 2.75 inches also works, but 3 is better in the long run.

[@ek79e.11]

Ozzie Maynard thank you so much and appreciate your answer and time!

[@jeffreyeichelberger6550]

What is the largest you can buy?

[@georgecarmona1817]

Great help I appreciate it 😊

[@rtz549]

What about that Quikcrete for posts? Pure it in dry and add some water?

[@tractortherapy42]

Sure. But that's no fun.

[@americansoldier2530]

Very helpful! Thank you much, brother.

[@tractortherapy42]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@BAKERHUSKIE]

Good video. You need to have like a night tales show with that voice.

[@TomTomTom87]

lol

[@alblack3425]

It's a bear to put together but after assembling I used it to mix around 15 60lbs bags of concrete an it did a really nice job. Roughly ten to twelve minutes to mix two bags at a time took about just over two hours to mix, screed, finish, and broom after it setup a little over 5x4 4" pad....with a couple of water an beer breaks.

[@ralphwatten2426]

I'm not buying one but I'm renting one similar to it. $54 dollars for Saturday and returning it Monday so I could use it Sunday if I needed to. Thanks for the video.

[@tractortherapy42]

Awesome - that's the way to go if you can get it done in a weekend! Sounds like a good price!

[@politicalpartyagnostic268]

I have one. I am happy and satisfied with all of my purchases from Harbor Freight with the exception of the cement mixer. Worse purchase I have made there. It is awful!!!!

[@kellyfairchild7383]

You have had and used the mixer for 3 years now....how has it held up?

[@tractortherapy42]

Still going strong, but I haven't done any mixing in a few months. Got a new project coming up soon - fixing a walkway.

[@unl987]

Anyone have recommendations on the best wheel barrow to use with this- Basically one that is short enough to fit under the mixer?

[@reececarr2784]

Correct, bolts packages made no sense, had to watch video fo inside panel

[@georgecarmona1817]

Brought one thank you

[@shezadihosny2141]

where can I get 25% coupon? thanks for the video

[@zaiteac2528]

Want to buy mini cement mixer. We need information about it.

[@joemanflyer2001]

You should have made a video on assembly?! Or Maybe a link to someone who has ? Thx.

[@tractortherapy42]

If I had, it would have to be bleeped out due to all the cussing I did. For some links - there's a search bar up top!

[@joemanflyer2001]

Tractor Therapy funny. Thx.

[@adambryant1227]

Great video thanks 👍

[@joshruby]

I have one of these it works great but really noisy. I did weld the motor bracket to where it bolts to the stand because it was really wobbly.

[@jupena]

Excellent video, thank you for posting it!

[@tractortherapy42]

Thanks for stopping by!

[@DegLakewood]

Kudos! Great quick video. Very informative! Thanks!

[@RPMusicInc]

Reviewer: Assembly was quite difficult Me: ok I'm out also if you use the valve on the side of the bag you don't need to cut it in half and it slows down the dust

[@howard977]

I think you need to add more water , I don't think you added enough.

[@frankcastle546]

Howie is a jackass with a picture of a jackass

[@LawDawg379]

Thanks for the vid and review...but as said before thats a buckton of water...makes for brittle concrete down the road

[@briankleinschmidt3664]

If you just have a small project - go with a five gallon bucket, a stir stick and your big, strong muscles.

[@Jyoung4478]

Baby oil will help remove the white skin staining too....

[@jlook9679]

is it better to put oil or grease on the drum ring gear to make it run smoother and quitter ?

[@ironnads7975]

Quitter? Why would you want it to quit?

[@TRYtoHELPyou]

thanks for sharing this

[@tractortherapy42]

Glad you liked - thanks for watching!

[@SteveBueche1027]

It’s quieter than the Yard Max.

[@jbeezy2779]

Will this fit downstairs for basement work

[@tractortherapy42]

It should!

[@jacklabloom635]

Helpful info.