A tilted steel drum lined with spiral blades that keeps concrete mixed in transit and holds about 8 to 11 cubic yards on a standard US truck. Turning one direction folds the load inward; reversing walks the concrete up the blades and out the chute. After water or admixture is added on site, drivers turn it at mixing speed for at least 30 revolutions so the dose spreads through the whole load.
Spin the drum on high for a couple minutes, I just put two gallons in and I don't want it all in the first wheelbarrow.
Also heard as
- barrel
- mixer drum
Related terms
Batch ticket
The delivery ticket that travels with every ready-mix truck, showing mix, quantity, time batched and water allowed.
Washout
Rinsing concrete residue from a truck's chutes and hopper, and the contained pit where that wash water goes.
Yard
One cubic yard of concrete, 27 cubic feet, the unit used for every US ready-mix order and invoice.
Hot load
A truckload of concrete that is setting faster than it should, from heat, delay or leftover concrete in the drum.