While you may think that any contractor can simply show up to a work site with a shovel and some concrete mix, the truth is that commercial concrete contractors come equipped with an arsenal of heavy-duty tools and equipment. Each piece is designed to streamline construction and ensure a high-quality finished product.

So, what exactly does a commercial concrete contractor need in their toolkit? Here are two of the most essential types of equipment.

Concrete Mixer  

A concrete mixer is a large, cylindrical machine used to mix aggregate (such as sand or gravel), water, and cement to create concrete. The rotating drum of the mixer keeps the ingredients from separating and ensures a thorough mix, while the paddles inside the drum help to break up any clumps of material further.

These mixers make it possible to create large quantities of concrete quickly and efficiently, making them an essential piece of equipment for any commercial contractor. They are particularly useful for construction projects that require a lot of concrete, such as parking garages or large commercial buildings.

Concrete mixers come in various sizes, from small portable units that can be towed behind a truck to massive machines that weigh several tons. The size of the mixer will generally be determined by the size and scope of the construction project.

The commercial concrete contractor will use a transit mix truck, which is a large truck with a rotating drum that is used to mix and transport concrete from the batch plant to the job site. The truck has a chute that allows the concrete to be poured directly into the forms, and the rotating drum helps to keep the concrete from separating during transport.

Transit mix trucks are generally only used for larger construction projects, as they can hold a lot of concrete and are too big for most residential driveways.

Concrete Pumps 

A concrete pump is a machine that transfers liquid concrete from the mixer to the forms. The pump consists of a large cylinder with a piston inside and a small hose that attaches to the discharge port of the mixer.

The piston moves up and down, drawing concrete into the cylinder. As the piston reaches the top of the stroke, the concrete is forced out of the cylinder and into the hose. The hose then transfers the concrete to the forms, where it can be poured.

Pumps are particularly useful for projects that require concrete to be poured at a high volume or over a large area, such as commercial buildings or parking garages. They're perfect for projects that require concrete to be poured at a high elevation, such as the upper floors of a parking garage.

In these cases, the pump can transfer the concrete from the ground-level mixer to the forms on the upper floors.

To learn more, contact a commercial concrete company.