Concrete Delivery: Ready Mix VS Volumetric
It’s no secret that we at skEYEwatch have a strong interest in the concrete production industry. Our team specializes in creating technologies such as concrete dispatch software, GPS tracking software, truck camera systems and more! With this being said, let’s explore the differences between ready mix vs volumetric trucks. Both of these are incredibly useful within the concrete production industry, though each has its own unique pros and cons. Keep reading below to learn more!
Comparison of Ready Mix vs Volumetric Concrete Trucks
Below is a detailed comparison of ready mix and volumetric concrete trucks, highlighting key differences in mixing methods, delivery flexibility, environmental impact, and job site efficiency. This guide is designed to help contractors, fleet managers, and construction professionals determine which option best fits their operational needs.
Table Caption: This chart compares Ready Mix and Volumetric Concrete Trucks across key features like mixing method, flexibility, waste, quality, and timing.
 Ready Mix |  Volumetric | |
|---|---|---|
| Mixing Method | Concrete is mixed at a central plant and transported in a rotating drum. | Concrete is mixed on-site in the truck using an auger. |
| Flexibility | Limited to the specific batch mixed at the plant. | Can produce different mix designs on demand. |
| Wastage | Unused concrete can go to waste. | Reduced waste as concrete is mixed on demand. |
| Timing | Concrete must be used before it sets, requiring precise timing. | Not a concern as concrete is mixed immediately before use. |
| Quality Control | Concrete is mixed under controlled conditions at a plant, leading to consistent quality. | Quality depends on operator's skill and on-site conditions. Can be adjusted on the spot. |
| Concrete Discharge | Concrete is kept in the rotating drum and discharged through a chute. The speed of the drum's rotation controls the rate of discharge. | Concrete is mixed by the auger and then moved towards the chute for delivery. The auger's speed controls the rate of discharge. |
| Washout Process | Washout is required after delivery to avoid hardened concrete in the drum. This requires a designated washout area and may create environmental concerns. | Typically easier and quicker as the auger and mixing chamber can be flushed out on-site. This also tends to be less wasteful and more environmentally friendly as unused materials can be saved for future use. |
Ready Mix Concrete Trucks
Now let’s let’s talk more about ready mix trucks. These trucks transport pre-mixed concrete from a central batch plant to the job site. The concrete is mixed at the plant, loaded into the drum of the truck, and then kept in motion until it is time for it to be poured. This method requires precise planning and timing, as the concrete must be used before it hardens. This type of concrete truck allows for efficient, cost-effective delivery of large amounts of concrete without having to spend time mixing it on site.
Without ready mix trucks, large-scale construction projects would not be possible due to the difficulty in transporting ready mix concrete over long distances and in difficult terrain. As such, ready mix trucks are an important component of the modern construction industry.
Who manufactures Ready Mix Trucks?
This question can be broken down into 2 parts, the “truck” manufacturer and the “mixer” manufacturer.
Ready Mix "Truck" Manufacturers
First, there’s the truck manufacturers that build and assemble the truck’s chassis, cab, engine and drivetrain. This would include the whole truck without the mixer attached. These manufacturers also build the truck bases for other specialized heavy duty trucks (aka lorries) such as dump trucks, garbage trucks, roll off trucks and more! After this phase of the vehicle production, the truck will roll off the production line and head over to the mixer manufacturer. Just below is a list of popular U.S. based truck manufacturers that create the vehicles for ready mix industry.
- Autocar
- Freightliner (Daimler Truck)
- International (Navistar, Inc)
- Kenworth (Paccar Inc)
- Mack (Volvo)
- Oshkosh S-Series
- Peterbilt (Paccar Inc)
- Terex Advance
- Volvo
- Western Star (Daimler Truck)
Ready Mix Truck "Mixer" Manufacturers
The second phase of ready mix truck production is the mixer. These are the manufacturers of the large spinning barrels and machinery that is attached to these purpose built trucks. The mixer includes the frame assembly, barrel, hopper and all technology that helps regulate the spinning barrels and the charging and discharging of the wet concrete. This also includes the hydraulic cylinders that are added for controlling tipping and the riser arms that allow for ready mix concrete to discharge from the drum.
The ready mix concrete is then loaded into a hopper so it can be fed into an onboard mixing drum. The mixing drum is attached to a drivetrain consisting of a gearbox, transmission and engine which powers the rotation of the drum. This ensures that ready mix concrete is properly mixed before being discharged out of the ready mix truck. Here’s a list of a some ready mix concrete truck “mixer” manufacturers commonly used in the U.S.
- Autocar
- Beck
- Continental (CBMW)
- Con-Tech Manufacturing
- London
- Revolution Mixers (formally McNeilus)
Scenarios Where Ready Mix Trucks Might Be More Useful:
- Large Volumes: For large projects where a high volume of concrete is needed at once, ready mix trucks can be more efficient as they can carry a large batch of pre-mixed concrete.
- Strict Quality Control: For projects where consistent quality is crucial, ready mix concrete may be preferred. It is mixed under controlled conditions at a plant.
- Short Delivery Times: If the job site is near the batching plant and the concrete can be poured immediately upon arrival, ready mix trucks can deliver the concrete efficiently.
- Standardized Mix Design: If a project only requires a standard type of concrete, a ready mix truck can deliver this without the need for on-site adjustments.
- Efficient for Repeat Jobs: For construction jobs where the same specific mix is needed repeatedly, ready mix trucks can be more efficient as the concrete is pre-mixed at the plant.
Volumetric Concrete Trucks | Metered concrete trucks
Now let’s dive into volumetric trucks. These trucks are essentially mobile concrete plants. They carry the separate ingredients for concrete (sand, cement, water, and other admixtures) in separate compartments and mix them on-site as needed. This allows the operator to adjust the mix design and volume on the fly, providing flexibility in terms of quantity and type of concrete produced.
Volumetric trucks use an auger for mixing the concrete. The auger mixes the cement, sand, water, and any other admixtures together to produce concrete. After the mixing process, the auger also helps to move the concrete towards the chute for delivery.
The advantage of this approach is that it allows for greater control and customization of each batch since all of the measurements can be adjusted onsite according to specifications or changes required by the conditions of the project. Additionally, this method also allows for smaller batches to be made which can be extremely helpful when working with tight spaces or limited access points where bringing in a ready mix truck might not be possible or practical.
Volumetric Concrete "Truck" Manufacturers
Just like ready mix trucks, volumetric concrete trucks start with a foundation consisting of the entire truck minus the mixer. It wouldn’t be uncommon to see these truck manufacturers with a volumetric mixer attached.
- Freightliner (Daimler Truck)
- International (Navistar, Inc)
- Kenworth (Paccar Inc)
- Mack (Volvo)
- Peterbilt (Paccar Inc)
- Volvo
- Western Star (Daimler Truck)
Volumetric Truck "Mixer" Manufacturers
The second production phase of volumetric concrete trucks are the mixers. Below is a list of several different manufacturers of onsite / on demand mixing machines that are permanently attached to the rear of these trucks.
Volumetric Concrete Production: How it works...
Mobile mixing concrete trucks (volumetric trucks) are revolutionizing how we do construction projects. Instead of hauling ready-made batches from a factory, these innovative vehicles make it possible to whip up the perfect blend onsite – with each batch containing precisely mixed ingredients like sand, gravel, cement and water for optimal results. The rear mixers feature storage compartments so that every measurement is exact down to the last grain of sand!
When an order is placed and ready to start production, the truck operator can easily dial in the mix design with one click. With precision accuracy of +/-1 percent for every pour due to dual auger cement metering technology, sand and stone pass through their own gate before falling precisely into the mixing auger that meters out exactly the needed amount of cement – easy as pie!
The precise concrete mix is then carried to the discharge chute where it is ready to pour on the job site with practically no waste.
Scenarios Where Volumetric Trucks Might Be More Useful:
- Variable Demand: If the exact amount of concrete needed is uncertain, a volumetric truck can be a good choice. It can mix the precise amount required on site, reducing wastage.
- Different Mix Designs: If a project requires different types of concrete mix, a volumetric truck can easily adjust the mix design on the spot.
- Remote Locations: For projects in remote locations where a ready mix plant is far away, a volumetric truck can be useful as it can produce fresh concrete on-site.
- Longer Delivery Times: If there are potential delays on the job site or long travel times, a volumetric truck can be advantageous. Since the concrete is mixed on-site, there’s no risk of the concrete setting in the truck before it can be used.
- Small Quantities: For smaller projects where a full truckload from a ready mix plant may be too much, a volumetric truck can mix just the right amount.
In conclusion, both concrete trucks have their unique purposes
Overall, both methods are useful for different circumstances and both provide effective solutions for getting concrete to the job sites and completing projects efficiently. However, when dealing with larger projects or tight budgets it may be better to use a ready mix truck while smaller jobs may benefit more from the flexibility and customization offered by a volumetric truck.
Smart Fleet Technology for the concrete Industry
Thanks for reading our blog post about ready mix vs volumetric concrete production. If you have investment interest into concrete or construction materials industry, then we highly recommend that you check out our product offerings at skEYEwatch. Below is a list of some of our most popular applications that our customers are already using in the concrete industry.
FAQs
FAQs About Ready Mix & Volumetric
Common answers to common questions about ready mix vs volumetric.
What is the difference between ready mix concrete and volumetric concrete delivery?
The main differences include how concrete is batched and delivered. Ready mix trucks transport pre-mixed concrete from a batch plant, while volumetric trucks mix on-site as needed. View full comparison chart.
How does volumetric concrete save time vs. ready mix?
Which has better quality: ready mix or volumetric concrete?
What are the benefits of using a volumetric mixer?
Volumetric mixers provide unmatched flexibility. You can pour exactly what you need, adjust the mix on demand, and avoid overordering. They're ideal for phased pours or unpredictable job sites.
Is ready mix concrete more affordable than volumetric?
Which concrete truck is better for small or remote jobs?
Volumetric trucks are best for remote or low-volume sites. They carry dry materials and mix only what's needed on-site, so there's no risk of concrete setting en route. Ready mix is better for fast-paced, centralized jobs.
How flexible are ready mix vs. volumetric trucks on timing?
Ready mix trucks operate on tight delivery windows—usually 60 to 90 minutes. Volumetric trucks mix as they pour, allowing more flexibility if your job gets delayed or requires segmented placement.
Which is more eco-friendly: ready mix or volumetric concrete?
Volumetric trucks typically produce less waste by batching only what’s needed. This reduces material overuse and the need to return excess concrete to the plant. They're a smarter choice for sustainable jobs.
Update Notice:
This blog post was updated on June 6th, 2024 to fix broken links and ensure all information is current. We strive to provide you with the most accurate and useful content. If you have any questions or notice any issues, please feel free to contact us.
Recent Developments:
Rebranding: McNeilus Mixers has rebranded to Revolution Concrete Mixers™ following an acquisition by Right Lane Industries. The rebranding includes a new logo and website, and the corporate headquarters has relocated to Rochester, Minnesota. Read the full announcement Revolution Concrete Mixers.
Oshkosh S-Series Trucks: Oshkosh has moved details about their S-Series trucks to a new dedicated website, which can be accessed Oshkosh S-Series Front Discharge Mixers.
Peterbilt Update: We have updated the link to the Peterbilt website. Their latest Vocational truck model has changed from the 365 series to the 567 series. You can find more information Peterbilt Truck Model 567.