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Post by Mort on Oct 3, 2007 8:32:15 GMT -5
Is anybody running these things? Sure, they look nice and they weigh a lot less then a steel, but we seem to be having a ton of trouble with them. We've been having them chipped out when they're 200-300lbs heavier then factory specs, the guys that run them have to rinse and clean them constantly, and to top it all off, they're separating from the roller rings.
Is it really worth the extra half yard?
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Post by BillyCement on Oct 3, 2007 15:57:17 GMT -5
We have one composite drum. It recently developed cracks. They sent it back to the manufacturer and they "repaired" it. Three weeks later and it's cracked again in the same spot. I drove it once and wasn't impressed with it. For one thing I couldn't hear the mix. I don't want to have to climb up the ladder to see what it looks like when I add water. I'd rather listen to it mix.
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gant
Junior Member
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Post by gant on Oct 3, 2007 22:13:07 GMT -5
I don't want to have to climb up the ladder to see what it looks like when I add water. i always climb up my tags to look its easier for me |
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Post by BillyCement on Oct 8, 2007 17:54:43 GMT -5
I climb up in the beginning when I mix. But, I'm not going to climb up there every time the contractor wants water added. I might if I was 30 years younger and 50 pounds lighter. ;D
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gant
Junior Member
Posts: 12
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Post by gant on Oct 8, 2007 20:04:29 GMT -5
i only climb up when im washing down getting ready to leave the yard.. after that they can climb up or go by my slump gauge
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Post by slumpy on Oct 9, 2007 19:21:03 GMT -5
yeah do you guys not have SLUMP meters? i never climb up my truck to check the slump thats what the meter is for
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Post by BillyCement on Oct 9, 2007 19:25:35 GMT -5
Slump meter?  Never heard of such a thing. Is that something like a Johnson rod?
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Post by Matt on Oct 9, 2007 19:46:13 GMT -5
A slump meter is only part of the equation. I factor in sight, sound, and mix design just as much when determining a slump. Every mix design will read differently on the gauge. Don't get me wrong, I don't climb up and visually check the slump all that often, but you can't solely rely on a slump meter. I think a composite drum would screw me all up!
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Post by slumpy on Oct 10, 2007 18:05:16 GMT -5
yeah i listen to what my load sounds like when its mixing sometimes. but i surely dont climb up my truck to check my slump the only time maybe i check my load for slump if im totally unsure is when im washing down when i back out of the plant but thats hardly ever. sound is a very good indicator on how dry or wet your load is and also how many trucks loaded before you for the same job,mix, and yards if the the other driver put in 15 gallons water i'll put in 15 gallons and be pretty close to what he's at
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Post by lafargeslave on Mar 21, 2008 21:45:25 GMT -5
yep all of ours have stress cracks and ring seperation, yet we keep ordering them. they are not allowed to get pump blow back either for fear of busting the blades. I have also seen them with chunks tore out of the rear edge when they bounce up into the rear pedistal/hopper area.
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Post by Mixer Driver 69 on Jul 18, 2008 22:12:28 GMT -5
I've seen a few of those composite drums at our plants. The drivers tell me that, sure, it's a little easier to wash down the fins, but the outside gets dirty FAST. They're always getting out the acid and broom. I've also noticed that the sound of the mud during mixing is a lot different. And, as well, they don't rattle when they get under 2 yards during a pour.
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Post by Crazy Mudder Trucker on Jul 18, 2008 23:13:28 GMT -5
I've seen a few of those composite drums at our plants. The drivers tell me that, sure, it's a little easier to wash down the fins, but the outside gets dirty FAST. They're always getting out the acid and broom. I've also noticed that the sound of the mud during mixing is a lot different. And, as well, they don't rattle when they get under 2 yards during a pour. your going to see a lot more of those all the 10 and 11 series trucks are going to get them. They are lighter than the drums that are on our trucks. Dont see how much of a difference it'll make. |
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Post by Mixer Driver 69 on Apr 14, 2009 18:30:05 GMT -5
All the 10 and 11 series trucks now have the composite (fiberglass) drums on them. Most of those drivers at my plant say good and bad things about them. And they are a lot lighter, which means the booster axle settings are different.
I've seen a few of them roll into the yard after a boom pump exploded, and the drum is a frickin' mess.
"What the hell happened to your drum, Bob?"
"Pump exploded"
As posted earlier in this thread, it's the sound of the mud in the drum that we rely on more than the meter, and with these things, you don't hear much of anything.
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sswt
Full Member
Posts: 37
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Post by sswt on Apr 14, 2009 22:06:19 GMT -5
our comany has bought a couple of these - they are easier to wash out, but with the ring coming off of the drum on all of them i think that steel drums are going to stay around for a while....then again im just a dumb truck driver
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Never heard of such a thing. Is that something like a Johnson rod?
