Concrete Mixer Trucks: A Major Agitation
Concrete buildup, often referred to as “carryback,” happens when residual concrete is not fully washed out of the drum after each load and gradually hardens on the interior surfaces. Over time, this buildup reduces the effective drum capacity, increases overall truck weight, and leads to higher fuel consumption and accelerated component wear. Excess hardened concrete also creates an imbalance within the drum, which can cause vibration, uneven loading on rollers and bearings, and premature failure of the drive system. Ignored, carryback significantly shortens drum life, increases maintenance costs, and contributes to costly downtime.
The concrete removal industry has relied on laborers to climb into the back of cement trucks’ mixing drums to chip and remove hardened concrete buildup. This process is loud, strenuous, and dangerous task, but it is most effective against stubborn, hardened deposits. It is very labor-intensive because it involves a jackhammer to break up the buildup, takes place in tight quarters, and usually happens after hours because the sun heats the drum to extreme temperatures during the day.
Beating Buildup: A Smarter Solution
With this in mind, a Florida-based manufacturer approached us with a unique high-pressure water blasting application. The customer’s solution was to develop an automated diesel-engine blasting system that would be trailer-mounted and remotely operated via a controller. The operator could then control a high-pressure torpedo nozzle, which would be inserted into the rotating mixer drum, for simple, safe removal of concrete buildup.
WPT offered an Over-the-Shaft Pilotless (OTS) PTO as a solution to best fit their application needs. It can be actuated either hydraulically or pneumatically for in-line or side-load applications. The customer was able to tie our OTS PTO into their existing onboard hydraulic power unit and electric control panel, giving them full control to engage and disengage when needed. As a side note, if the customer needs a power source to operate a hydraulic PTO, WPT offers the Hydraulic Power Unit (HPU).
This water blasting application effectively removes hardened concrete residue from the mixer drum. Plus eliminates health and safety risks while reducing the mixer’s downtime with traditional chipping. With the increased demand for a safer, faster, and more efficient process. WPT’s OTS met and exceeded our customers’ expectations.
Water Blasting Unit: Pro Perks
Since the installation utilized the Pilotless PTO, our customer saw additional product benefits. This product line eliminates the pilot bearing while increasing side-load capacity due to a dual spherical roller main bearing. The Pilotless OTS clutch includes a self-adjusting clutch pack to reduce maintenance downtime.
Need Assistance with a Specific Application?
At WPT Power, we are often presented with unique and challenging opportunities, whether to reduce component costs, improve capacity and efficiency, or do both. Customers have grown to appreciate our engineering knowledge and customer support before and after the sale. Please contact WPT Power at 940-761-1971 if you have any questions.
Written By: Jeff Thompson, Sales Representative