The first course of block has been laid.  The block is on site, now the real fun can start.

The first course of block has been laid.  The block is on site, now the real fun can start. (Javier Figueroa)

The Monolithic Mortar Mixer

Michael South • Published • Equipment

Attention all Masons:

Put down your shovels and increase your productivity, with the
Monolithic Concrete and Mortar Mixer.

Monolithic is on-site building a split-faced, concrete block stemwall where the Monolithic Mixer is key to the success of this project.

The Monolithic Concrete and Mortar Mixer was already on our site when the masons arrived. We had agreed to supply some extra labor, but when my crew learned how the mortar was going to be mixed, they suggested using our mixer.

Typically on a masonry project, you have a barrel mixer that mixes the mortar. On many sites, they even have a skid steer that they dump the mixed product into; then they use the skid steer to deliver the material. The problem with this scenario, compared to the Monolithic Mixer scenario, is that one to two more labors are involved in the mixing process, and standard skid steer buckets are poor liquid handlers.

Let’s go over the mixing process:

  1. The skid steer scoops up the sand. (Standard methods require the mixer to be loaded with shovels.)
  2. The skid steer drives to the cement storage area. (Sand and cement can be stored in separate locations.)
  3. The operator gets out, adds the cement, water, and additives if necessary.
  4. Once the mix is ready, the operator drives the material to where it is needed and unloads it.

A faster, better way:

The Monolithic Mixer can mix concrete and mortar faster than any other mixer, and it can deliver it to where it’s needed. Typically, this one-man operation can take the place of a three-man crew.

On the project shown in the images, we built a Monolithic Dome church with a block stemwall. The block wall was stacked; then the cores were filled in lifts. We used the Monolithic Mixer to mix not only the mortar but also the concrete used to fill the cores. The concrete was pumped from a GHP2500 Concrete Pump that is also manufactured by Monolithic.

Click on the images to show larger sizes, and more comments about equipment in the captions.

Related Links:

  • To Purchase a Monolithic Portable Concrete / Mortar Mixer, click here.
Men prepare for the day.  The masonry sand that was used was so fine, that in the evening they had to cover it so that it wouldn’t blow away.  This particular job they wanted to use white sand, so it wasn’t exactly cheap sand.

Men prepare for the day.  The masonry sand that was used was so fine, that in the evening they had to cover it so that it wouldn’t blow away.  This particular job they wanted to use white sand, so it wasn’t exactly cheap sand. (Javier Figueroa)

The crew is filling the cores of the first course of block.  The concrete was also mixed with the same mixer, just a different mix design.  The concrete is being pumped into the walls using the GHP2500 concrete pump.

The crew is filling the cores of the first course of block.  The concrete was also mixed with the same mixer, just a different mix design.  The concrete is being pumped into the walls using the GHP2500 concrete pump. (Javier Figueroa)

In this image, you can see the Paxis rotating scaffold that will be later used to build the dome, but came real handy when it came to building the walls.  Also, you can see the concrete hose coming from the pump area.

In this image, you can see the Paxis rotating scaffold that will be later used to build the dome, but came real handy when it came to building the walls.  Also, you can see the concrete hose coming from the pump area. (Javier Figueroa)

Second course of block is being laid.

Second course of block is being laid. (Javier Figueroa)

Ariel view after second course.  Note that the system they are using is the forklift to deliver the block from the outside, and the skid steer is lifting the mortar mix up so that they can get to it easily.

Ariel view after second course.  Note that the system they are using is the forklift to deliver the block from the outside, and the skid steer is lifting the mortar mix up so that they can get to it easily. (Javier Figueroa)

Image form the outside.  The forklift is delivering the blocks, and the skid steer is delivering the mud.  The bobcats ability to go through even the roughest territory makes moving the mortar very simple.  Imagine using  wheel barrow through that mud, or even moving the mud in a standard skid steer bucket without loosing half the batch.

Image form the outside.  The forklift is delivering the blocks, and the skid steer is delivering the mud.  The bobcats ability to go through even the roughest territory makes moving the mortar very simple.  Imagine using  wheel barrow through that mud, or even moving the mud in a standard skid steer bucket without loosing half the batch. (Javier Figueroa)

Here the men have loaded the mix and are cleaning the hopper, and adding more epwater until the mix is just how they want it.  Another advantage of the mixer is that the sand, water, and cement don’t necessarily have to be in the same location. 

Here the men have loaded the mix and are cleaning the hopper, and adding more epwater until the mix is just how they want it.  Another advantage of the mixer is that the sand, water, and cement don’t necessarily have to be in the same location.  (Javier Figueroa)

The stem wall is now complete.  The crews will now form and pour a concrete ring beam on top of the walls.  This beam is where the Airform will be attached.

The stem wall is now complete.  The crews will now form and pour a concrete ring beam on top of the walls.  This beam is where the Airform will be attached. (Javier Figueroa)

Here the ring beam is formed, and the pouring is about to begin.

Here the ring beam is formed, and the pouring is about to begin. (Javier Figueroa)

Inside the Monolithic Concrete / Mortar mixer.  It’s auxiliary hydraulics are compatible with nearly every skid steer on the market, in fact we have never come across one that it wouldn’t fit.

Inside the Monolithic Concrete / Mortar mixer.  It’s auxiliary hydraulics are compatible with nearly every skid steer on the market, in fact we have never come across one that it wouldn’t fit. (Javier Figueroa)