U-Cart concrete

[oldwino]

The only way to fly for a short load…concrete stays mixed and you can discharge easily by pouring

 

[mikegt4]

I have been casually watching for one of these vintage 3 point hitch cement mixers for a couple of decades with no success. Friction drive off of a PTO shaft extension. All of the similar ones sold today are gear or chain driven by a PTO driveline shaft. It would look just right on the back of my 1957 Oliver Super 55.

 

[rayra]

Another vote for buying a mixer and doing it at your own pace. Unless you HAVE to have a large monolithic pour. A year ago I did some cast concrete raised garden bed panels, mixing by hand. Didn't enjoy it. Last summer when starting a cast concrete pillar project I went ahead and sprung for the Harbor Frieght mixer, seconding that it will only handle 2x60# at a time. Worked great for my purposes. Just used it again today for an ancillary project on that back patio. The footers for the pillars were about 3cu' each which was about 7 bags. The mixer made that quick work.

 

[bigdav160]

I've placed over 10 yards, solo, using the U-carts. I didn't have any issues other than it's a lot of hustling working by yourself and still having time to clean the cart.

I recently place a 1 1/2 yards using 80lb bags and a HF mixer. That took me all day.

 

[gregs]

Another vote for buying a mixer and doing it at your own pace. Unless you HAVE to have a large monolithic pour. A year ago I did some cast concrete raised garden bed panels, mixing by hand. Didn't enjoy it. Last summer when starting a cast concrete pillar project I went ahead and sprung for the Harbor Frieght mixer, seconding that it will only handle 2x60# at a time. Worked great for my purposes. Just used it again today for an ancillary project on that back patio. The footers for the pillars were about 3cu' each which was about 7 bags. The mixer made that quick work.

Where did you get the molds for the capstone pieces?

 

[rayra]

Where did you get the molds for the capstone pieces?

Made it from scratch. PIcked a shape. Split a 2" PVC pipe on the tablesaw, worked up a braced form / box, used a pvc FOR RENT sign to craft the curved top surface in the bottom of the mold, filled the voids with polyurethane resin so it could support a concrete cast. Cast it 3x with months-old concrete before I got a decent one intact out of the mold. Then did a bunch of bodywork on that concrete buck, getting rid of defects and making it smooth and pretty. Then I cast it 2x in RTV silicone, first making a gang-mold. Pulled and inverted those silicone molds in the gang-mold tray and you've seen the results.
I'm pulling the second batch out in the morning and casting the third.

An expensive process. The RTV was about 85cents/oz and each mold was a 5qt pour. Plus another small gang mold of wood pattern bucks to make the skinny 'pencil liner' tiles. About $500 to wind up with the silicone molds. And about $150 in dies and mortar. To make about 60 linear feet of capstones that are what I want. I could not find the design regionally in Vegas.
Even if you find one you want and make a mold to copy it, it's still a costly thing for the silicone and time etc. I'm mostly retired and have more time than money and I like building things, had the prior molding and casting experience, the leftover dyes from the pillars, so I went this way.

 

[gregs]

That does look like a lot of work. The results are terrific looking.

 

[TractorJeff]

I have been casually watching for one of these vintage 3 point hitch cement mixers for a couple of decades with no success. Friction drive off of a PTO shaft extension. All of the similar ones sold today are gear or chain driven by a PTO driveline shaft. It would look just right on the back of my 1957 Oliver Super 55.

Any Idea, How the Drum tilts to empty?

 

[rayra]

That does look like a lot of work. The results are terrific looking.

Thanks. Total time isn't bad, it's just taking a lot of different skillsets and tools. Anybody with just a bit of woodworking and concrete handling skills can do it, though.

If you want a duplicate silicone mold of the capstone, let me know, we can work something out. Cover the cost of materials and shipping and a couple lunches, I'll send you a mold. I still have the buck sitting in the garage, keeping it handy until my casting is done, in case the silicone gives out.

 

[NDJ]

Well, We did it. I was able to recruit an able-bodied friend to help.
9 cu ft gas powered tow behind rental mixer, Rental trailer to haul the pallet of 56 concrete bags. Mixer was able to take 6 bags at a time, Closest we could get the truck/trailer was about 50 feet away so had to haul the bags that far. Was able to rig up a 'Chute' the mixer could dump into it then slide down into the forms. Took us about 6 hours and had 4 bags left over.
That was hard work. I bet I'm stiff tomorrow. Cost actually came out fair bit higher than it would have to use the "Yard at a time guys" who quoted $550/yard

 

[mikegt4]

Any Idea, How the Drum tilts to empty?

It is mounted on the 3 point arms, as it is lifted it tilts to dump the concrete out of the drum.

 

[rayra]

Love to see pictures of the work. Especially the chute, if you have any.

Talking to my father about possibly casing a slab for an 8x10 shed kit that's due any day. I've got about 8 days worth of work to finish casting concrete for my projects, before I can move the cheap mixer. Tight suburban lot, every bag is going ot have to be wheelbarrowed from the curve around the back of the house. But I should be able to position the mixer right alongside the slab form and mix right there and flip the drum over to dump into the form, then shove that around in the form. It will be a long day.

In the meantime, just a bit of payoff on the earlier capstone posting, I'm about 2/3 done with the install....

 

[Richard D]

Too late now, but I've done the pre-mixed buggy thing numerous times. My cousin just did it yesterday, said it was a lifesaver. Got close and then wheel barrowed in in. Using bags is a PITA.

 

[ybnormal]

Well, We did it. I was able to recruit an able-bodied friend to help.
9 cu ft gas powered tow behind rental mixer, Rental trailer to haul the pallet of 56 concrete bags. Mixer was able to take 6 bags at a time, Closest we could get the truck/trailer was about 50 feet away so had to haul the bags that far. Was able to rig up a 'Chute' the mixer could dump into it then slide down into the forms. Took us about 6 hours and had 4 bags left over.
That was hard work. I bet I'm stiff tomorrow. Cost actually came out fair bit higher than it would have to use the "Yard at a time guys" who quoted $550/yard

so your cost came out HIGHER and it was a lot harder work? think you should have gone with the 'yard at a time' guys

 

[Zeke]

This is crazy:

Videos

The MudMixer® is the fastest, easiest multi-use mixer for concrete, mortar, and stucco. With an adjustable water input, it delivers reliable consistency fast.

mudmixer.com

 

[rayra]

That is a sechsy concept, but all I see is a soupy weak mix dribbling out. Maybe they need a better video. Or maybe the augur chute needs less downward angle. Or the user needs to stir stuff in the form with an iron rake.

My major project is coming to an end, got the last cast capstone pieces installed today. Just need to grout it all, and that's more of a tile grouting / drill/mixer/bucket evolution.
Next phase is using the HF mixer for mortar & concrete when I turn central wall and mound into a large grills counter.