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Basic cement/ ballast Q


zoothorn

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28 minutes ago, andyscotland said:

If you're on your own (even if not) you will be pushed for time and energy to get the material down, straight into mixer, mixed, barrowed and poured all in a single operation.

 

If you bring the material down to the mixer first it may mean a little extra effort (picking it up twice, everything else you'd have had to do anyway).

 

But the advantage a) it gives you a chance to measure what you're using so you can have confidence you'll have enough for the second pillar and b) more importantly, shifting the material initially is not under any time pressure so you can stop as often as you need. Then once it's done you can take a proper break and get your breath back before you start the mixer and enter the flat-out-non-stop stage of the process

 

That trade-off, for me, would always be well worth it.

 

Aha ok understood. Ok just done that- found a tarp: bucketed down onto tarp nr mixer > pulled last 1/4 down in dumpy bag almost killed me > whole lot back into dumpy bag next to.

 

Ok mixer Q: once "full" (well drum looked sort of 1/4 filled when we did big lower tubes.. but via a chute I made > down > into tubes, hence a lighter mixer load) so is that maybe what, the drum 1/3rd full?

 

And the balance when loaded: is the design of this belle that centre of weight is directly over the centre stand midpoint? or does it tend to pull over a bit one way fwd or back when loaded?

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3 minutes ago, Onoff said:

If it's going to rain heavily then ideally put a tarp over a pile of ballast if it's ever left sitting on the tarp or it can wash the sand away.

 

Good point- will do tonight. One thing I was amazed at- was the small size of mixer's drum attatchment to the motor: it only looks about 1.5" wide! I cannot believe how much pressure must go on here for such a thin spindle. And after 18 years of full abuse this one's had too.

 

Can you tell me about how the drum weight sits once its 'full'? I mean maybe 1/3rd full. IE directly over centrpoint below.. or does it tend to pull one way a bit.

 

just seen my fav moistboyz song has quite alot of swearing in it! oops. nevermind. bach next time.

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The Belle 130 for instance has a 130 litre capacity that allows a max 90 litre mix. 

 

A black builders bucket is 15 litres. So 1 bucket of cement and 4 of ballast should go in taking up 75 litres. Plus water you'll be ag about the max. 

 

If in doubt do half the mix at a time.

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As long as the mixer stand is on the level then the drum will sit "back" until you tip it. Most of us here have I guess learnt by labouring with a mentor to show us. 

 

When you pour there's nothing worse than missing the barrow. I often stand the mixer on a bit of dpm or tarp so I can scoop up any over spill.

 

Bit of a knack tipping whilst it's still going round then giving it a good shake to get as much out as you can.

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12 minutes ago, AnonymousBosch said:

and make  sure you tip it into the barrow directly over its center of gravity otherwise .... a-swearing you will go ...

 

It's difficult to explain isn't it? Really he needs somebody behind him whilst he does it...

 

-ghost-film-still--1328628620-view-3.jpg.64cebff0a2f9a28da6ed62669cb56697.jpg

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Worth positioning the barrow with the mixer EMPTY and having a practice tipping and that it's in the right place. If you're not careful as you tip, the rotating drum can catch the barrow and tip it over. Especially if the drum is a bit claggy with dried previous mixes.

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I forsee a helluva lotta swearing tmrw then. Yes I wish I had patrick swayze to hold my belle handles even if he got a stiffy tbh Id put up with it if it meant my barrow doesnt fall over. I might put some chaps on backwards in case swayze goes hammer & tongs mind you.

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7 minutes ago, PeterW said:

Tip nose on. Basically put the barrow straight on to the mixer so you empty out over the wheel and down the slope. It will stop it tipping if it gets a full load onto one side. 

 

I have a feeling that's the best advice I'll need. Thanks PeterW. So barrow handles -away- from mixer.. I mean I guess I couldn't get the sod out if t'other way round tho. unless swayze took hold of my handle from the other side..

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Turn the mixer of before you pour it out. This will let you control how much comes out the front. Once you get the hang of it then you can try it while it's spinning.

You need a proper barrow not something meant to carry leaves. 

If you put it side on and get it wrong the motar will hit the side first and tip the barrow.  Do as Peter says and put it straight on if the lip will sit under the mixer. Just keep Infront of the mixer clean so if you do spill a bit then you can put it back in the barrow and use it.

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Ok I have a galv barrow.. seems ok tho not so big. I might try some side stabilizers if I can fashion something. I had no idea it could be poured turned off/ not spinning. Ok will do this I think each time tbh.

 

Ok now the mix. If I were to put in 8x 1/2 full buckets (those decent size yellow jobs kinda like Onoff's black one ^) its not feasable to measure out a full bucket of cement really is it to get my 4:1.. if I had another spare bucket maybe so, but say how many full buckets would a 25kg bag be?

 

Then approx how much water with this volume of ballast/ cement? I'll have to do just a cup+ of waterproofer/ hardner(?) each mix as got only 2l at best left (this should equate to what went into the other mixes ~ approx).

 

Thanks chaps.

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3 minutes ago, Onoff said:

No way of sitting the mixer so it pours straight into the tube?

 

Slim possibility- had thought of it.. but its a pig of a slope around tube, & getting the b'stard off the stand etc.. it was a job with 2 of us I thought. I should imagine its alot more caked-with-concrete than your clean one Onoff.

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11 minutes ago, Declan52 said:

Lay the 25kg cement bag flat and using a trowel cut across the bag in half. Grap it at the cut and lift it up and you will have 2 half bags that weigh 12.5kg. Cut the rest of the way through and then they are easily lifted.

 

 

Or stab with a spade a few times!

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When you get good you can tip the mixer with one foot on the barrow handle closest to you. If the mixer has to be set up in a place with crap ground infront of it. Was taught by an old school person to have barrow facing way your taking it when loading. Amount of lads u see fill a barrow then have to turn it round full. 

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