Cleaning and Maintenance of Concrete Mixers After Use: Extending Equipment Lifespan

Cleaning and Maintenance of Concrete Mixers After Use: Extending Equipment Lifespan

Timely and thorough cleaning and maintenance after each use is the most effective way to keep concrete mixers in good condition and significantly extend their service life. Once concrete hardens, it adheres to the equipment like stone, making it extremely difficult to remove and causing severe wear and corrosion. Therefore, cleaning and maintenance are not just simple finishing touches, but crucial investments that determine the "health" of the equipment. The core principle is "immediate action, comprehensive cleaning, and regular lubrication."

The most critical and urgent step is: thorough cleaning immediately after use. After stopping operation, never simply turn off the power and leave. Immediately pour several buckets of clean water into the mixing drum and add two or three handfuls of small stones. Restart the mixer and let it run empty for 3 to 5 minutes. During this process, the friction between the rotating blades and the stones will act like "self-cleaning," flushing and scraping away most of the wet concrete residue adhering to the drum wall and blades. Then drain the muddy water. This process usually needs to be repeated once or twice until the discharged water is relatively clear. Finally, be sure to open the discharge gate and thoroughly rinse all corners of the drum, the back of the blades, and the discharge chute with a high-pressure water gun or hose, ensuring that no residual material remains. Timely cleaning protects the equipment better than any expensive lubricant.

Based on cleaning, perform regular inspection and lubrication maintenance. Every week or after completing a major project, take some time to inspect the equipment more carefully. Check the mixing blades for looseness, deformation, or excessive wear, and tighten or replace them as needed. Check that the sealing strip of the discharge gate is intact and that the opening and closing mechanism is flexible. For all moving parts on the mixer, such as bearings, gears, and chains, strictly follow the instructions in the manual to regularly add or replace the specified lubricating oil or grease. A simple and effective trick is: after adding new grease, let the machine run empty for a while to allow the grease to distribute evenly. At the same time, check the tension of the drive belt; too loose will cause slippage, while too tight will increase wear and energy consumption.

Deep maintenance before long-term storage and the development of good habits are also important. If the mixer will be idle for an extended period (e.g., during winter), after completing the thorough cleaning described above, ensure that the equipment is completely dry, both inside and out. This can be achieved by running the mixer empty to air-dry or by air-drying it in a well-ventilated area. Then, apply a fresh layer of grease to all moving metal parts and exposed bolts to prevent rust. Store the machine in a dry, well-ventilated indoor location or cover it with a sturdy waterproof cover. A helpful practice is to create a simple maintenance checklist and post it near the equipment, listing the cleaning, inspection, and lubrication tasks that must be completed after each use. Check off each item and record the date after completion. This checklist ensures that no tasks are missed and provides a visual record, allowing you to clearly track the equipment's maintenance history and proactively maintain it, thus maximizing the reliable service life of the mixer.