The multitasking concrete machine

The concrete mixing process is a major part in any construction project that uses concrete. The use of self-loading concrete mixers (SLCM) is gaining prominence in the current market scenario. With mechanisation happening at a faster pace in small and medium construction projects, SLCM is a convenient machine that ensures, quality, ease of operation and economy. This unique machine is designed to batch, mix and transport the concrete to the required project site. Loading and mixing are combined into a single vehicle, making them a convenient multitasking unit for contractors who work with concrete. These trucks offer a number of advantages over other types of concrete mixing tools.

SLCMs are used in projects located in far of and rural areas where stationery concrete mixing plants are not suited. Due to their space saving advantage, these are also suitable for space constraint urban areas. They are used in projects including bridges, roads, irrigation canals, dam walls, rural construction projects and in residential projects. SLCM also saves labour cost as it reduces the requirement for workers. There is only the need of a driver who can operate all the functions in the SLCM.

Demand drivers
SLCMs are being used in projects where concrete is required in small quantities. Rural development projects see a lot of demand for SLCMs. The major demand drivers are PMGSY concrete road projects, industry development, solar projects and other similar projects where small quantity of concrete is required. Due to the Covid pandemic impact, the demand went down as almost all projects were on hold and customers were not willing to invest in the unpredictable condition. However, the situation is improving slowly.

Rural vs urban
In rural infrastructure projects, SLCM is best suited because customer can load, mix and discharge material from single machine and it can be used in small space also. SLCM demand is more in rural infrastructure projects compared to urban infra projects.

Advantage mobility
SLCM is a mobile concrete mixer. Due to mobility it is easy to use in different sites. It does not require any other equipment to work SLCM, as in stationary plant customers require loader, DG sets and transit mixers. SLCM’s operational cost is comparatively lower than stationary plant and truck mixer.

Rentals
Rental market for SLCMs has become competitive due to the presence of more number of players. The rent of SLCM is decreasing continuously due to competition and customers prefer to buy their own machines.

Market outlook
SLCM demand is expected to increase in future as it is used in various types of applications. Post-pandemic, the use of SLCM can increase because it is user-friendly, easy to transport, and has lower owning and operating cost.

Advantages of Apollo Carmix SLCMs

  • With bigger size of the drum capacity, more production is possible in lesser time.
  • The SLCM is fitted with bigger size of loader shovel. This allows to load bulk quantity of raw material at a time. Hence, it reduces cycle time and allows to produce more batches in a day.
  • The machine is fitted with hydraulic shutter gate in the loader shovel. This prevents material spillage from back side of the shovel while loading and correct measured material will go inside the drum to make quality concrete.
  • The SLCM machine comes with bigger size of water tank with high pressure water pump. Bigger capacity water tank allows to store huge volume of water to produce multiple batches without refilling and for machine cleaning purpose.
  • Bigger capacity of diesel tank allows machine to run/operate full day without wasting customer’s time for refilling.
  • The machine has electronic weighing system with printer attachment. Onboard electronic weighing system gives the facility to produce quality concrete as per the customer’s mix design.
  • The Apollo Carmix SLCM has comparatively less turning radius, due to which the machine can move or turn in a small place.
  • The machine’s operator cabin comes with ROPS and FOPS canopy to prevent cabin deformation in the event of a rollover situation or accident. ROPS is to limit the crushing and deformation of the vehicle roof and cabin structure during a rollover accident.
  • More machine weight provides more stability. This ensures more steadiness and trust.
  • This SLCM has better ground clearance. High ground clearance allows these vehicles to travel smoothly on rough/off-roads with a reduced possibility of the vehicle sticking or the undercarriage being damaged by rough surfaces.
  • Apollo Carmix SLCM model 4TT comes with front loading system. For this arrangement, operators get better visibility while loading of raw materials and it gives excellent comfort to operator to operate the machine smoothly and quickly. Hence, faster cycle time will save time and efforts with extra batch production and productivity.
  • The 4TT model SLCM has finger-touch single joystick operation facility. Joystick operation facility gives smooth operation of all the function of loader and shovel, such as loader up and down, tilt, shovel shutter gate open and close. Hence, easy operation for operator for raw material loading and unloading.
  • Apollo Carmix 4 TT SLCM has 270o slewing drum system. For this arrangement, operator can easily pour concrete around the four sides of the vehicle at over 2 m height.

    • Source: Apollo Inffratech

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