Mortar mixers and cement mixers are important tools when preparing and applying both of these materials. However, there are key differences between mortar mixers and cement mixers to be aware of. Once you know these differences, you can choose the right mixer for your upcoming project or worksite needs.
What is a Mortar Mixer?
A mortar mixer is usually shaped like a horizontal trough. A long pole sits in the middle of the trough and rotates with small paddles on either side.
Mortar mixers are powered by basic motors. They turn the pole and spin the paddles, forcing them to go up and down as well as around and around. Through this physical process, the paddles mix the mortar into the appropriate consistency. While there are a few vertically operating mortar mixers, most of them are horizontally oriented.
What is a Cement Mixer?
Cement mixers are shaped differently from mortar mixers. They usually incorporate a round barrel that rotates along a diagonal or horizontal axis. The barrel, also called the drum, includes paddles on the inside. These spin through the concrete or cement mixture as the drum rotates.
Concrete or cement mixers are powered by gas or electricity. They’re usually oriented at upward angles when they aren’t pouring.
To use a cement mixer, the cement ingredients are placed into the mixer while the drum slowly spins around. The paddles then push the ingredients around, mixing them into a slurry of the ideal composition and thickness. The cement mixer continues to spin until the concrete is ready to pour; otherwise, it would harden and become immovable.
Key Difference – Some Cement Mixers Can Make Mortar
Aside from the shape and size differences between cement and mortar mixers, you should keep in mind that some cement mixers can make mortar products. The process for mixing cement and mortar is essentially the same – specific components, like sand or cement, are added into a mixing area, where they are mixed around until they’re ready to be used.
Mortar Mixers Can’t Make Cement
However, mortar mixers cannot make cement. Because mortar mixers use smaller paddles on their interiors, they can’t move the slurry around as much. Therefore, they may not move a concrete mix around enough to prevent it from hardening too soon.
In addition, most mortar mixers use less power than cement mixers. Since cement includes gravel as well as other ingredients, the small paddles inside a mortar mixer may break off if you try to mix cement in one of them.
Need a Mortar or Cement Mixer?
QuikSpray has every mixer you could need for any material. For example, our mortar mixers come in a variety of sizes and features. Or you can check out our concrete mixers, which are designed for utility and different size configurations. Check out our mixer selections today!
