A batching plant, also known as a concrete plant or batch plant, combines various ingredients to form concrete. Some of the materials used can include water, rocks, gravel, sand, lime, fly ash, potash and cement. Batching plants are generally designed to suit individual needs.

The two primary types of batching plants are dry mix batching plants and wet mix batching plants. The former involves mixing all the dry materials first and then dispatching it into a transit mixer (mobile concrete mixer truck) where water is added. The latter involves homogeneously mixing all ingredients and then dispatching the concrete into a pumping unit or transit mixer.

Types of Mixing Units

Batching plants can either be fixed or mobile depending on your requirements. Modern mobile batching plants are quite accurate and reliable, capable of producing high quality concrete at multiple sites as required. When it comes to how concrete is mixed, there are five types of mixers – single shaft, twin shaft, planetary and reversible drum.

Single shaft and twin shaft mix concrete with one or two screw shaped arms using a powerful motor. Planetary mixers use multiple special arms, are generally fixed and used for precast applications. Reversible drum mixers rotate in one direction to mix and rotate in another to discharge materials.

Components of a Concrete Batching Plant

A batching plant has a number of components that work together to produce high quality concrete, including:

  • Aggregate feeders – Bins located side by side, which each hold different coarse aggregates and sand, feeding them into the batching plant.
  • Aggregate weigh conveyor – Materials move from the feeders to a conveyor or bin that weigh aggregates before they are put in the mixing unit. Other bins also weigh water received from the water pump and any other additives. This process ensures the exact proportions of ingredients are dispatched into the mixer.
  • Cement silo – Holds large volumes of cement. A screw conveyor of suitable diameter and length is at the bottom, enabling transfer of cement into the cement weigh hopper.
  • Mixing unit – This is where all the ingredients are received and thoroughly mixed together until homogenous before discharging contents into a transit mixer or concrete pump
  • Air compressor – This controls essential pneumatic operations of the batching plant like the feeder gates, butterfly valves fitted with weigh hoppers, opening and closing of the mixing unit gate, etc.
  • Control panel – Modern batching plants allow you to control the entire system easily with an electronic control panel and display system.

Concrete Batching Equipment for Sale

If you’re looking for concrete batching equipment for sale or require other manufacturing plant, get in touch with the experienced team at Batchcrete. From mini concrete pump hire to screed mixer hire and much more, we understand the complex nature of the industry and provide concrete equipment to suit a variety of needs, with the option of tailor-built solutions. Call us today on 08 9463 5355 or contact us online for high quality, cost effective concrete supplies.