When selecting a concrete mixer truck, comprehensive considerations should be made from multiple dimensions such as engineering requirements, performance parameters, and equipment reliability. The following is a detailed selection guide:
- Small-scale projects (e.g., rural self-built houses, small construction sites): Choose a 3-6 m³ tank, suitable for short-distance transportation with flexible vehicle models.
- Medium-scale projects (e.g., commercial buildings, road construction): 8-12 m³ tanks are commonly used, balancing transportation efficiency and road adaptability.
- Large-scale projects (e.g., bridges, high-rise buildings): 14-16 m³ and above tanks, which need to be matched with heavy-duty chassis, suitable for long-distance and large-batch concrete transportation.
- Short-distance transportation (≤50 km): Lightweight chassis can be selected, with low requirements for tank rotation speed control.
- Long-distance or complex road conditions (mountainous areas, bumpy roads): Heavy-duty chassis should be selected, and the tank must have anti-segregation design (such as double spiral blades).
| Key Indicators | Selection Points |
|---|
| Chassis Brand | Mainstream brands: Prioritize brands with numerous after-sales service outlets. |
| Wheelbase and Load-bearing Capacity | The wheelbase affects vehicle stability. For tanks above 12 m³, a 6×4 drive form is recommended, with a load-bearing capacity ≥16 tons. |
| Engine Power | A 12 m³ tank should be matched with an engine power ≥300 hp, and the emission standard must comply with local environmental requirements (e.g., National VI b). |
- Hydraulic pump/motor: Prioritize international brands (e.g., Rexroth of Germany, Sauer of the U.S.) for good sealing, stable pressure, and low failure rates.
- Mixing tank:
- Material: Made of high-strength wear-resistant steel (e.g., Q345B), with a tank wall thickness of 6-8 mm and a head thickness of 8-10 mm to reduce wear.
- Mixing blades: Double spiral logarithmic blade design for high mixing efficiency, with a concrete segregation rate ≤0.5% (industry standard ≤1%).
- Discharge speed: The ideal discharge speed is ≥2 m³/min, and the residue ≤0.5% (i.e., ≤75 kg residue per tank).
- Standard (standard configurations) include ABS anti-lock system and exhaust braking (hydraulic retarder needs to be added for mountain road conditions).
- Install reversing cameras, radars, blind spot monitoring, and set protective fences around the tank to prevent personnel collisions.
- The tank support bearings use double-row tapered roller bearings with strong load-bearing capacity and a maintenance cycle ≥1,000 hours.
- Hydraulic oil cooling system: Air cooling or water cooling to ensure the oil temperature ≤80℃ and avoid high-temperature failures.
- Basic models (8 m³): CNY 300,000-500,000; high-end brands (above 12 m³): CNY 600,000-1,000,000. Compare the overall cost performance of the "chassis + upper assembly" to avoid excessive post-maintenance costs for low-price vehicles.
- Require manufacturers to provide a warranty of ≥1 year/30,000 km, and the core components (pumps, motors) of the hydraulic system should have a warranty period ≥2 years.
- Prioritize brands with local maintenance outlets, and the parts supply cycle should be ≤3 days (for vulnerable parts such as filters and oil seals).
- Low-temperature environment: The tank can be optionally equipped with an insulation layer (insulation effect ≤5℃/hour), and the hydraulic oil uses low-temperature types (e.g., ISO VG 46).
- High-corrosion areas: The outer surface of the tank is sprayed with an anti-corrosion coating (e.g., epoxy resin paint) to extend service life.
- Urban restricted areas: Choose models with a wheelbase ≤1,800 mm and a vehicle height ≤3.8 m to meet urban traffic standards.
- Clarify the daily concrete demand (e.g., 100 m³/day requires 8-10 trips with a 12 m³ tank truck).
- Compare the technical parameters of 3-5 mainstream brands (such as tank rotation speed, discharge residue, fuel consumption).
- Test drive on site to observe the chassis handling, smoothness of tank rotation, and noise from the engine and hydraulic system.
- Require manufacturers to provide user cases of the same model (e.g., feedback from a construction site using it for more than six months).
Conclusion: The selection of concrete mixer trucks should take "engineering needs as the core and performance parameters as the basis", prioritize ensuring the reliability of core components (chassis, hydraulic system, tank), and balance costs and after-sales service to achieve a balance between efficient transportation and long-term durability.
