Concrete and Mortar Mixers for Job Site Batching

Concrete and mortar don't mix the same way, so the equipment differs too. A concrete mixer uses a rotating drum to tumble aggregate, sand, and cement together, which works well for standard concrete but isn't aggressive enough for denser mixes. A mortar mixer uses paddles turning through the material instead, forcing it together with more shear, which is what thinset, stucco, and mortar actually need to come out consistent.

Imer supplies most of the selection here across both mixer types, with Crown, Marshalltown, and Multiquip covering additional drum and mortar mixer options, and CS Unitec and Eibenstock rounding out mixing stations and handheld equipment.

The decision that actually matters is what's going into the mixer, not brand. Standard concrete with larger aggregate belongs in a drum mixer. Forcing it through a paddle mixer wastes time and doesn't improve the result. Thinset, mortar, and other fine, dense materials belong in a paddle mixer. A drum won't develop enough shear to break up clumps and get a workable consistency. Gas versus electric is the other point worth deciding early. Gas mixers go anywhere without a power source but need fuel and ventilation considerations, while electric mixers are quieter and simpler to run wherever a cord will reach.

If you're not sure which mixer fits your material, give us a call and we'll help you figure it out.