Construction projects that require productivity and safety should opt for concrete equipment. They speed up the process, reduce the need for labour, and help you manage your timeline efficiently. The best solution for your project is to get precise mixing and the proper placement of the concrete that ensures quality.
Mico Equipment is offering durable concrete equipment models from manufacturers that you appreciate. Here, we’ll discuss how you can select the right concrete equipment based on your needs.
Concrete Equipment
Concrete equipment consists of machines that house all types of construction activities. They are used in almost all kinds of construction, i.e. commercial, residential, urban, or industrial. They are used to prepare, mix, handle, transport, lay, and finish (final touch) the concrete work on the surface of the structure. Most contractors use it for construction site preparation, where foundation work is essential.
The significant benefits of concrete equipment are:
- Efficiency and Productivity
- Quality Assurance
- Timeline Management
- Durability of the Structure
- Safety and Cost-effectiveness
How does Concrete Equipment work?
Generally, concrete equipment works in the following steps:
- Firstly, they are used to prepare the concrete mixture, in which the raw materials are measured and mixed in batching plants or mixers. The raw materials are usually cement, water, aggregates, and additives, depending on the type of concrete you need.
- Then, this concrete mixture is transported to the site where you’ve to pour it or place it. This can be done by using trucks or conveyors.
- Now, concrete has to be poured and placed perfectly, either by buckets, concrete placers, or pumps. Primarily, concrete buckets are used with cranes, especially in deep foundations or tall structures.
- The compaction is essential for proper consolidation and density, which is done by compactors or vibrators that remove air bubbles from the concrete. Sometimes, plate compactors are also used to get the flatwork, such as pavement or slabs.
- In the finishing part, contractors usually use screeds to create a smooth and levelled surface.
- Last but not least, curing is done to maintain the optimal conditions of the concrete surface and make it more durable.
Different Types of Concrete Equipment in Houston, TX
Drum Concrete Mixers
Drum concrete mixers are used to mix large quantities of cement efficiently. Their drum rotates on its axis, consisting of blades that are inside of the drum, improving the mixing process. They are efficient, so are easy to operate and doesn’t require much labor. They are mainly used for small construction projects, but some contractors also use them in large-scale projects at some point in construction. These drum mixers are of two types that are commonly used:
Tilting drum mixers
Their drum is tilted, meaning that it can be rotating out to pour the concrete mixture on the surface as well. So, they are more commonly used because they help quickly unload the mixture without putting in an effort. Therefore, they are a popular choice for small or medium-scale construction projects.
Non-tilting drum mixers
They are the simple drum mixers that do not have tilting mechanism and requires manual labor to unload or pour the cement mixture on the working area. But it has one advantage: it is easy to operate, meaning that it is simple and can be easily operated even by beginners. Therefore, it is only used for small-scale construction projects.
Concrete Pumps
Concrete pumps are required where contractors have to transport the cement mixer to pour on the working site. They are commonly used in projects that involve construction on mountains, highways, or tunnels (mini spaces). These equipment are suitable for projects that require speedy processing and accuracy and have to work in material shortage. Concrete pumps also have two types:
Stationary concrete pumps
These are attached to the truck, which pumps the concrete mixture through steel pipes. The pipes can be rotated to the area where you’ve to pour the concrete. They are larger and cannot be moved around the working site. One good thing is that their pipes can be extended as long as you want to pour the concrete into a specific area.
Mobile concrete pumps
These concrete pumps are not that large and, thus, are easy to move around. These are mostly connected to the tractor, which uses a trailer to move it to the distance as required. They can be used in confined spaces like construction on the mountains.
Concrete Vibrators
Concrete vibrators are used to remove air bubbles in the concrete layer. The freshly laid cement layer needs to be placed appropriately as the structure we need. Therefore, concrete vibrators also help achieve the exact thinner or thicker layer on the structure as we want on the framework. These are classified into three categories:
Framework vibrators
These are commonly used in pre-concrete structures that place the vibrators externally on the framework.
Surface vibrators
These are the large vibrators that are operated manually on the poured concrete. This is useful for getting a thickness of around 6 inches or less. It is good to get a smooth concrete surface.
Internal vibrators
The contractors most commonly use these vibrators. It involves simple working, which requires an operator to push that vibrator to the freshly poured concrete and then extract it slowly to get the desired shape.
Guide to Select the Right Concrete Equipment
If you want to select the right equipment for your project, you first need to understand your project requirements. Then you can consider your budget as well. Mico Equipment is here to assist you with quality concrete machines that ensure reliability and safety. Here are the criteria for getting the right equipment for your project.
Capacity You Need
Understand how much concrete you’ll be handling, whether you are going to work on a residential project or a big industrial project. For small scale projects, you can go with small capacity cement mixer which will be cost effective as well. However, for large-scale projects, you will need a larger drum concrete mixer.
The Motor You Need
Electric motors should also be checked for appropriateness. Cement mixers that have electric motors are suitable for use in residential areas. These mixers give sound-free and pollution-free performance. However, if you’ve to work on projects that’ll be lengthy and have limited access to electricity, combustion concrete equipment will work well.
Mixing Type You Need
As we’ve discussed, tilting drums are used in small and medium-sized construction projects. So, if you’re working on small-scale commercial and residential projects, tilting-type drums will provide you with smooth and consistent mixing. However, for larger projects, hydraulic cement mixers, like concrete pumps, will be the better option.
Concrete Equipment for Sale in Houston, TEXAS Near Me
Selecting the right equipment is the most challenging task for any construction project. Our team at Mico Equipment understands that contractors and clients need peace of mind regarding this problem. So we offer the best and highest quality used construction equipment from brands like Caterpillar, Komatsu, John Deere, BOMAG, etc., which means that here you have a wider option to choose from. Our concrete mixers have been tested to operate well at their respective construction sites. So don’t wait any longer; contact us at our WhatsApp number to start getting your desired equipment at the most affordable price.