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Example Of The Belle Cement Mixer

Belle Cement Mixer

Moisture Meter Guide

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A cement mixer, such as the Belle cement mixer, is used to perform the function of mixing cement, water and either sand or gravel to make up concrete. The Belle cement mixer has a large revolving drum that turns at set speeds and when filled with the components to make up cement, mixes them to the correct constituency. By using a cement mixer such as the portable version allows the user to have the necessary time to use the concrete properly before it goes off.

So if you are planning a DIY project such as building a foundation for a home, shed or garage or even embarking upon building a path or something similar then the right kind of belle cement mixer is an important tool for you to have and should be used to ensure that the job is done properly and efficiently.

For doing work on a couple of areas such as working on paths it is a good idea to have a mobile belle cement mixer. With one of these you are in a good position to be able to mix up several batches of cement for the different areas you are working on. With the portable cement mixer you are in total control and make up the right amounts of concrete that you require for the specific job. Also with a mobile belle cement mixer you do not need extra water to mix up the concrete.

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Belle Minimix 150 Cement Mixer

Even though this Belle cement mixer is an electrical version and hence not completely portable it is still an extremely good quality and useful tool to own. Ideal for the small builder or DIY enthusiast, this Belle cement mixer is portable and light and minimixes a full wheelbarrow load at a go. It is supplied with a reliant stand that allows barrow height mixing and tipping which is perfect in the conservation of energy. On the safety front, all the electrics are fully enclosed and sealed to IP standard 45. There is a full thermal overload protection and the whole unit is CE compliant with NVR safety power switch.

If you are about to embark on a small project and perhaps do no more in the future, then it is not a good idea to go out and purchase your own Belle cement mixer. The Belle cement mixer is a very well constructed machine and is of the highest quality. But as we all know, you only get what you pay for and because the Belle cement mixer is quality, they do not come cheap. If you are planning several or many projects then we fully recommend that you invest in a Belle cement mixer purchase. But if it is only the 1 project you are taking on, then you should really hire a machine by the day or week from your local tool hire outlet.

Another benefit of the Belle cement mixer if you decide to choose the portable make is that the machine is fitted with wheels and are provided with a towing tongue. This makes them ideal to just attach to the back of your car or truck and actually tow the Belle cement mixer to any location that you are working. For more convenience and portability you can even select a petrol powered Belle cement mixer which means that you are not reliant upon a mains power and you can even work in even more remote areas.

These small portable Belle cement mixer versions are ideal for the small contractor and DIY enthusiast as not only are they capable of performing all your mixing tasks but they too are so easy to use and are designed in such a way as to be completely user friendly. They are fitted with a suitable lever that allows the user to tip the mixed cement into wheelbarrows very easily and they are also provided with stands that sets up the Belle cement mixer at the perfect working height for you to add the mix to the drum.One such example of a great little Belle cement mixer is the Belle minimix150 cement mixer and a little information on this machine is given below.

Belle cement mixer - Petrol or Electric ?

The Belle cement mixer comes in both versions of electric power or petrol power. And they both have their advantages and disadvantages but honestly speaking if you want a more powerful, durable machine then you must opt for a petrol powered version. The petrol versions are far superior to their electrical counterparts and we shall highlight how. For some reason many homeowners and DIY enthusiasts when they go out to purchase tools and equipment seem to opt for electric versions. This has to be a price element thing because it cannot be a performance related decision. Just take for example any professional landscaper or garden contractor and you will hardly ever see one of them using an electric piece of equipment. The first choice for them is petrol equipment. To which you must ask yourself why?

If you go over the whole spectrum of power tools for the garden from lawnmowers to hedge trimmers or for building equipment such as the petrol disc cutter and Belle cement mixer, quality petrol tools always completely outperform their electrical equivalents. On the lifespan of the tools, the petrol versions always outlive their electrical counterparts. And in using the tools, the petrol version is so much more convenient and versatile. There are no electrical cables to get in the way or cause any dangerous situations like tripping up or getting tangled up whilst in precarious positions.

Maybe it is fear of being lumbered with a huge maintenance bill when a petrol tool or piece of equipment goes wrong and needs repairing. But this is not so. As long as you maintain your equipment correctly and have it serviced once a year or so with an oil change, spark plug change and filter cleaning then the machine will remain fully operational for years to come. The only reason for buying an electrical equipment is if the area you need to work on is tiny and you will only be doing he job once or twice a year. Then and only then can you justify buying the electrical version. So if you are going to acquire a cement mixer then you really should buy yourself the petrol version of the Belle cement mixer.

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Belle Cement Mixers

The Belle Group was established during the 1950’s and today they are a highly respected manufacturer throughout the construction for the construction equipment that they produce. They have built up this reputation by manufacturing cement mixers of extremely high quality and durability which are used world wide. As well as the Belle cement mixer, Belle supplies wheelbarrows, scaffolding and allsorts of equipment for cutting, moving and compacting cement.

In the beginning Belle only made cement mixers for home users which were small and portable. The minimix range was released and Belle never looked back. They moved in to larger and more commercial mixers and now their portfolio suits almost and concrete requirement. It is the quality factor that has moved Belle forward and such stringent tests as testing their machines for a 1000 hours ensures the reliability of their product.

If you are in the market to buy a cement mixer then Belle has to be one model that you look at. It is true that many small users will hire a cement mixer, and most hire companies will stock a Belle cement mixer purely for the fact that the machine will serve their business well and last a long time. If you are buying then you can have comfort that your Belle cement mixer will have a good second hand price attached to it if you decide to sell it.

Belle Cement Mixer Range

Over the years Belle has developed several cement mixer ranges. These ranges include mixers of different sizes, shapes and styles. This means that there is practically a Belle cement mixer suitable for any different job or location. The ranges include the Baromix range, Richier Beton range and the Belle range.

Baromix Range

The Baromix range includes the Baromix minor and the Baromix Commodore. The Baromix minor has been designed for professionals and is very durable and robust. It has the advantage of being able to be used on it’s stand or off it, which gives flexibility to the user. It is very compact and portable. Perfect for those difficult locations that are sometimes faced with.

On the other hand the Baromix Commodore is a heavy duty machine. Again ideal for professionals, this model has been designed to produce large and continual batches of mixed cement.

Richier Range

The flagship of this range is the RB500B and the rest of the range is built up by variations of this model. They are all large skip fed mixers specifically aimed at the professional market. They come in variations of necessary power supply and different ranges of function as well as having their own specific controls.

Belle Range

This is the largest range of the Belle cement mixer and rightly so as it bears the company name. It has the most varied models which include paddle mixers, site mixers, tip up mixers and of course upright mixers. The sizes and types come in an abundant choice so the one suitable for you depends solely on what use you have for your Belle cement mixer. The ranges goes from small, compact models ideal for the DIY enthusiast all the way up to rugged and high performance machines suitable for a professional building site.

Models include:

Paddle Mixers

Promix 1200/1600 - Handheld and variable speed electric mixers ideal for mixing small batches.

Tubmix 50 - Again handheld but designed for the professional.

Site Mixers

Premier XT

Superior 300/350/400

Tract Mix

Tip up mixers

Minimix 150/140/130

Upright Mixers

Maxi 140

BWE 80/110/130

BWE 150/200/250

Tbe 130/165

Using A Belle Cement Mixer

A Belle cement mixer assists you in mixing proportions of water, cement, sand and gravel to prepare a perfect mix for you to use. However  as simple a task it may appear to operate a cement mixer, the task can be quite unpleasant if you are not acquainted with the basics behind the functioning of a cement mixer. You use your Belle cement mixer to mix up a smooth mix for you to use and the hardening time for the mix is dependant upon the ingredients of the mix. Usual concrete mixtures take about a month to react with each other and harden properly. There are fast drying cement mixes that are available and these can be completely set in a day.

When using your Belle cement mixer you should first decide on which mix you require and then have all the correct ingredients. When locating the mixer ready for the job in hand, make sure you set it up on a level surface and have all the ingredients nearby so you don’t have to walk with the mix to the cement mixer. This will save you a lot of time and energy. A water supply is also necessary so try to locate near that or make sure you have an adequate hose to supply the water. If you are using an electric Belle cement mixer make sure that you nearby to an electric supply for connectivity.

Mixing Ratios

With your Belle cement mixer you are not just restricted to using it for making cement. You can use your machine to mix up ballast, plaster mix and general mortar as well as concrete. Below are a couple of mixing ratios for different mixes.

If laying slabs for a garden patio or path you need to have a base for the actual slabs to sit on and adhere to. The type of base you require for this job has to be one of a coarser type of concrete. The mix ratio for this that you should mix up in your Belle cement mixer is 1 part cement to 2 parts sharp sand to 3 parts coarse aggregate. Put this in the mixer and add water to get yourself a fairly liquid mix so that it can be easily poured and worked with.

If you are bricklaying or similar jobs then the mix you need is a smooth general mortar, To get this mix up 1 part cement to 5 parts sand in your Belle cement mixer and add water accordingly until you reach the correct constituency.. If you want you can also add 1 part lime to this mix.

Maybe the job in hand is that of building a garden wall or something similar. If so then you will need a foundation for your wall to sit on. First dig the foundation to the correct depth and then fill it with concrete. The mix you must knock up in the Belle cement mixer is 1 part cement to 5 parts ballast and then add plenty of water. You water to be able to pour this mix very easily and then be able to work with it and level it off without any problem. So it should be a loose mix with plenty of water.

If you are taking on an ambitious project such as building an extension, you will need a suitable foundation. The foundation in this case will be more load bearing than a foundation for a garden wall for example. So the mix you require will have to be more robust. The mix to knock this up will be 1 part cement 2.5 parts ballast and 3.5 parts coarse aggregate. Again you will need to add plenty of water to ensure that the mix is easy to pour and versatile to work with.

As said earlier, the Belle cement mixer is versatile and can be used for knocking up many different mixes. You can use the mixer when working with plastering. If you are plastering up a wall in your home you will need an undercoat and mixing this by hand is quite a job as you will need rather a large quantity. So use your Belle cement mixer and use the ratios of 1 part cement 1 part lime and 6 parts plasterer’s sand to give you what you need.

Whenever you have finished using a Belle cement mixer it is imperative that you clean it to keep it in good condition and clean and ready for the next job you have planned for it. When the job you have done is finished, empty your mixer by lowering the drum whilst it is still rotating to drain any excess fluid from it or any old unused mix. You can empty these into a wheelbarrow and dump in an appropriate place. Then take a hose and wash off any excess debris from the mixer. Sometimes you will find that remnants of the mixture you have been knocking up actually hardens in the drum. If so put some water in the drum and add a couple of bricks while the drum is still rotating. The bricks and water should loosen up any stubborn remains and then you can tip them out.

So think logically when using your Belle cement mixer and it becomes a very easy and efficient piece of machinery to use and own. Take care of it by cleaning after every use and the Belle cement mixture will reward you with many years of excellent service.

  Using A Petrol Cement Mixer

When you have bought yourself a petrol cement mixer you are not just limited to using it for mixing cement. You can use it to mix such things as ballast, plaster and general mortar. When mixing concrete for such uses as with garden walls and patios or other mixes such as  general purpose mortar you should follow the standard mixing techniques that come below. These techniques are applicable whether you are mixing by hand or with a petrol cement mixer.

General Purpose Mortar

Ideal for brick laying and such jobs, general purpose mortar is mixed using 1 part cement to 5 parts sand and then add water until you have a consistency in your petrol cement mixer that will stick to your trowel when you turn the trowel upside down. You can also add 1 part lime to this mix as well if you so desire.

Slab Laying

When laying slabs for a patio or a path, the slabs need a base to rest upon and adhere to. The base has to be a coarser concrete and in order to obtain this this you need to put 1 part cement to 2 parts sharp sand to 3 parts coarse aggregate into your petrol cement mixer. Add water and have yourself a fairly liquid mix so that it can easily be poured.

Foundations For Garden Walls

When building a garden wall you need the wall to sit on a foundation. So when you have dug the foundation where you wish your wall to be, you need to fill it with concrete to give you that required foundation. The mix for this is 1 part cement to 5 parts ballast in your petrol cement mixer and then add plenty of water. You want the mix watery so that you can pour it into the foundation and level it off smoothly.

Foundations For Extensions

For an extension you need a very robust concrete, a lot more so than for a garden wall. The mix you need for this in your petrol cement mixer is 1 part cement with 2.5 parts  and 3.5 parts coarse aggregate. Again you need to add a lot of water as you want the mix fairly liquid so that it is very easy to pour and work with.

Plaster undercoat

You can also use your petrol cement mixer to mix up undercoat for plaster work. The mix you need for this particular job has to be dry and gritty. So mix up 1 part cement with 1 part lime and 6 parts plasterer’s sand. Add just enough water so that the mix is dry enough to stick to the trowel when it is inverted.

So there are just a few examples of what a petrol cement mixer can be used for. And always remember when finished with working always clean out the mixer. Just empty out any unused mix, chuck in a couple of bricks and add water. The bricks will remove any sticking mix and just empty everything out. For a pristine finish you can always finally use a hose to rinse out the drum.

Belle Cement Mixer - Maintenance

The Belle cement mixer, as with other building or DIY machinery, is a very important piece of machinery that has cost you a large investment, and in order for you to receive many years of excellent service from it you need to take care of it properly and maintain it. If the Belle cement mixer breaks down in the middle of a job it will cost you money and time that could have been avoided if proper maintenance had been carried out. They are hard working machines and thus require regular maintenance to ensure that all the parts are in good shape and operating properly.

All Belle cement mixers work on a similar principle so it does not matter whether you have a small portable Belle cement mixer or a large mixer for big jobs., they all need regular servicing in order for them to function smoothly without any hiccups. Despite being work horses that have the appearance of being tough hardy things the Belle cement mixer is made up of many parts of which some are small and simple parts that do wear out over a period of time.

One such example of this is the drive belt or chain that turns the drum. It can actually be said that these drive belts or chains maybe the most important part of the machine as without a turning drum, there will be no cement or concrete mixed. If the concrete or cement is being mixed and during this process the belt or chain does happen to snap, then you have to remove all mix from the drum before it sets. This can cause a lot of waste, take a lot of time and if you do not have a spare belt or chain handy can cost you money in ringing up for a new one and waiting for it to be delivered and fitted. So always check the state of the belt or chain on your Belle cement mixer before starting work. If it looks weak or vulnerable to snapping on inspection, change it immediately.

All Belle cement mixers work on a similar principle so it does not matter whether you have a small portable Belle cement mixer or a large mixer for big jobs., they all need regular servicing in order for them to function smoothly without any hiccups. Despite being work horses that have the appearance of being tough hardy things the Belle cement mixer is made up of many parts of which some are small and simple parts that do wear out over a period of time. One such example of this is the drive belt or chain that turns the drum. It can actually be said that these drive belts or chains maybe the most important part of the machine as without a turning drum, there will be no cement or concrete mixed.

If the concrete or cement is being mixed and during this process the belt or chain does happen to snap, then you have to remove all mix from the drum before it sets. This can cause a lot of waste, take a lot of time and if you do not have a spare belt or chain handy can cost you money in ringing up for a new one and waiting for it to be delivered and fitted. So always check the state of the belt or chain on your Belle cement mixer before starting work. If it looks weak or vulnerable to snapping on inspection, change it immediately.

Other Belle cement mixer parts that are vulnerable to wear and tear include the gears, clutches and hydraulic lines. If any of these develop a fault they will prevent the machine from working properly. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to prevent them wearing out. It is just the same story with all moving parts on all machines. But it is imperative with the moving parts they you always keep them well lubricated for smoother operation and protection from friction. But generally these are simple parts that an average person can change and replace with just a few basic tools. The spark plug for instance only requires a socket to undo and replace. Such a simple task to perform, but if the spark plug is not functioning properly then the machine will not even start. So learn as much as you can about your Belle cement mixer and the parts. This will save you both money and time in the long run and eliminate any need for you to call out a repair man for the most of the repair jobs.

Finding Belle cement mixer parts is not a problem either. Just go down to your nearest industrial parts store and buy the spare parts you need. If you can’t find the parts you need, there is no need to stress as the store can usually order them in for you and you get them maybe in a couple of days. Another way to buy the parts in this day and age is through the internet. You even be able to find the parts online a lot cheaper than in the store. Also you may save money by buying in bulk and of course everything you buy online will be delivered to an address you specify. So shopping online can be a lot easier and save you money and time as well.

The old adage “Better Safe Than Sorry” is also something that one should follow when it comes to owning power tools and machinery. It’s inevitable that sometime during the working life of your machine or power tool that you will have a breakdown. So why not be prepared. Always have spare parts available and nearby for your Belle cement mixer. Even with regular maintenance and inspections the Belle cement mixer can still go wrong. The drive belt could snap and such things as a cold snap in the weather can cause the spark plug to be redundant. Generally spare parts are cheap to buy and providing you store them properly and carefully, they are always available to you when and if and emergency arises. So get those spare parts before you start using your Belle cement mixer.