Customer Reviews

Black Lynx 636004 1.5 HP Electric Drive Cement Mixer

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this at Lowes, it's the same as the Kobalt branded "utility mixer". I really researched it before I bought it, weighed the pros and cons versus simply purchasing the concrete direct. I finally decided it was worthwhile since I mix so many small batches of concrete, I'll leave anything over a half cubic yard to the concrete company. Some questions/comments I found while I was researching the mixer:
- someone said the plastic mixer barrel wore out after a while, so the first thing I did was TIGHTEN the bolts that hold the barrel to the motor bracket. They were a little loose and must have slipped around for the other user, eventually wearing through. I'll keep an eye on it as well.
- people wondered how many bags you can mix, I left it at ONE 80 pound bag since that's what I could safely move around with the wheel barrow. The mixer will hold a couple bags if wanted though, but it gets too heavy in the wheel barrow.
- some people worried about an electric motor near water, but the switches for the motor are sealed.
- people said it was cheaper to buy concrete direct. I called and was told $100 for a cubic yard, anything less and it's $100 delivery plus whatever the concrete costs. So I figure a half cubic yard at $150 is the cut-off.
- someone complained their concrete clumped together into little balls. Dude, add more water! You can actually hear it when you get the mix right.

I like that the wheel barrow fits right in front. My wife and I also put the mixer directly over the hole and filed it directly, it worked well but was harder to put the concrete mix in the mixer. That's when I decided one bag at a time. We mixed 26 bags this weekend and it went really well. One thing I don't like is that it is a little difficult to move around, if you hold it by the rear footing it's top heavy and topples over. Other than that it's great.

I purchased this same mixer under Lowe's brand; Kobalt. At first I was a little worried that the machine was junk because of the plastic wheels and rubberized drum. However, I was wrong. This thing is a workhorse! I also read reviews that it pops it's circuit breaker or the switch is faulty. Speaking only for my self I could not kill it if I wanted to. I usually mix two 80 pound concrete pre-mix bags at the same time and it never slows down or stops. It never had any problems and I lost count how many bags I've mixed with it so far.
One tip I'll give you is to make sure the mixer is on level ground. If it's leaning back it will not pull the dry mortar/concrete out to be mixed. You will need to take a shovel and scrape the bottom of the drum. If the mixer is on level ground it will mix perfectly with no problems.
For $285.00 (Lowe's) it is so worth the money. Save your back and buy it.