My First Mudmixer Project - Machine is so fast, my wife had to jump in and help.

My First Mudmixer Project - Machine is so fast, my wife had to jump in and help.
Since it was my first project there are a number of things I need to learn.
But what I learned today, is the machine is faster then I thought!
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[@martyhanson1902]

My wife and I poured 952 bags of concrete with our MudMixer last summer. Large parking pad. Did it in 4’x12’ section each day till we were done.

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

I'm just getting back from my southern location and I can't wait to finish my sidewalks

[@robertmeshew1935]

Add a water pump to get steady water flow! Have a 55 Gallon drum and do not use the water sprayer or you will not get steady water flow!

[@SpottedCow1604]

I just bought a mudmixer too. You are lucky to have a wife to help you. Take care.

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

After a few pours, I was able to work solo, but yes she really hekped me figure out how to use it.

[@gsilcoful]

Pretty nice. And you have a good ranch hand there.

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

Thanks

[@nuttyox]

Looks like an awesome little project, I've found that if you overhang the mixer a little more into the form and water it down a bit more, you can let it kind of auto settle itself so you don't have to rake it as often right at the end of the sidewalk.

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

Thanks for the advice

[@vapidsmiter9485]

If you watch pros do concrete through a pump, it's pretty liquid. I just bought a Mad Mixer. It's not here yet, but it appears that 32 is the sweet spot for water. :-)

[@johnclements6614]

@@vapidsmiter9485 More water in the mix means you have to add more cement to maintain the strength.

[@photorealm]

I have heard nothing but good about the mud mixer. I think I'm gonna have to get one or at least rent them from now on when I add concrete around the place.

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

I can't believe how much concrete I've poured this summer. I used 5 pallets of concrete!

[@johnclements6614]

Looks like a nice machine for small pours. I would consider putting the bags of premix concrete closer to the mixer at a higher level if possible. You can move the bags around at your "leisure" but once you start you have to work faster. The less faster work the less chance of a back injury.

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

Agreed, the little tractor really helps with these pours

[@holler2235]

Definitely for small projects….larger project would require larger equipment like 9CU FT mixers

[@mpart_woodlathe-stuff]

Machine too fast ? Perhaps the 25yo you could'a got 'er done ! hehe Take care my friend. -Mike

[@edthibault4507]

Do you remember how many bags you had left over after this pour? Did it come out close to your estimate of 12 bags?

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

If I remember, it was really close. the bottom was uneven which makes it hard to do an exact estimate.

[@Jared_Albert]

Thank you for the demonstration. Can you control the output speed?

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

Not really. If I get a bit behind, I just turn it off for a couple of minutes. I also know this will affect the mix a bit so I keep an eye on it when I turn it back on.

[@gunningopher]

Do you think it would have gone a little easier if you ran it on the side and rolled it back along the form as you went? I do smaller slabs in sections, like you described, and would want to do pretty much exactly like you did: drop a few sacks in, spread it out, drop some more sacks in, and so on. Ideally, It would be easy to move when it is running. Does the water shut off when the switch is off? maybe that would help for a 1 person job. It looked like you got the mix just right. Was it consistent? I want one of these so bad. I'm over 50 now. I had to go down from #90 sacks to #60's about 15 years ago. I'm on my 4th mixer since I was a teen and I've about worn it out, so I'm looking for a new one. I think the timing is just right, since I usually work alone now and have a couple of patios I want to build and want to replace/widen my driveway. I'm good for 20 - 25 sacks a day and would love to get it all rodded and finished before the sun starts hitting it and it gets hot. For $3k I'm quite gun-shy about the purchase, though. This might be one of those purchases my wife will realize she shouldn't ask about when she first notices it! I'd think about renting it out, too in order help offset the cost, if I can find some contractors just getting started out who might need it. If I knew I could rent it out I'd order one today.

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

There is guy near me that rents his out for $75 a day. His biggest problem is the chute doesn't get cleaned out good enough

[@tnopsclark6179]

Couldn’t your neighbor rent out your machine with him as the operator? That way you know your machine is used properly and cleaned out, but you aren’t providing any of the labor…that might help the issue with concrete drying inside the hopper or chute. Except of course…you’d have to have a lot spare time on your hands to stand around operating at their pace/schedule.

[@ctaaaaaaa]

not for minors? rather teens mess around with concrete rather than drugs 😂

[@LetsFigureThisOut]

Learning a trade can be life-changing