July 26, 2016 Cementing the Deal

Volume 5 | Issue 6

Terex Advance Mixer is the leader in design, manufacture and national distribution of front discharge cement mixers.

Thirty years ago, Advance Mixer, Inc. came up with a better way to pour concrete. Instead of the traditional cement mixer that discharged from the rear, the Fort Wayne, Ind., company used common sense and uncommon engineering developing the front discharge mixer. “The mission of Advance is to provide high quality equipment designed to improve the customer’s re-turn on invested capitol,” says Kevin Smith, general manager.

The advantages of pouring concrete from the front end of the mixer are obvious to any ready-mix concrete provider, builder or construction pro: It’s easier and faster for the driver to pull forward into the site and deploy and position the chute. Terex Advance Mixer’s state-of-the-art equipment allows the driver to spot the truck, pinpoint the chutes and pour the load quickly and efficiently with total control of the mix, charge, discharge rate and maneuverability during the pour. The 13-foot, front hydraulic chute allows for a higher discharge point, extends to 21.5 feet, and rotates a complete 180 degrees to accurately place concrete.

“On a rear (discharge truck), you need a spotter to guide the driver into place. Then they physically have to grab the chutes and move them where they want them to place the concrete,” says Troy Dunn, sales and marketing coordinator. “When our trucks show up at the job site, we don’t require any additional help. The driver is able to pull in and mark where he needs to site the chutes. With our hydraulic chute option, he can drop the chutes, discharge the concrete, fold the chutes back up and back out without ever leaving his cab. He doesn’t work blind or get signals in a mirror. He pulls up, unloads, and goes.”
Best of all, the technique translates to time and cost savings on a job site. By placing concrete quicker, Terex Advance Mixer’s equipment provides an average of one extra load of concrete per day over a rear discharge mixer. That can mean a big cost difference in the time-sensitive construction business.

Off-road vehicles

Terex Advance Mixer thinks out of the box to design and build custom, front-discharge mixers to meet its customers’ needs, along with state and federal regulations. The company’s three-to-seven axle trucks can weigh any-where from 27,000 to 36,000 pounds empty and up to 80,000 pounds with a full load, so it’s important that local weight restrictions are taken into account.

“Recently, we developed a seven-axle mixer that stretches longer and is designed specifically to meet Michigan laws,” Dunn explains. “If customers come to us with a need, we get engineering involved and see if we can come up with something that will meet or exceed what customers want.”

“We are always looking to improve,” Dunn adds. “For ex-ample, where trucks are taken off road and the environment is harder, we see what we can do to make sure our trucks are durable and reliable, adding value and safety.”

The driving front axle and automatic transmission make Terex Advance Mixers superior off road and allow the driver to take control even under the most adverse conditions.

These workhorses are designed with impressive strength and attention to detail and are engineered for minimum downtime and maximum profitability. Design features include a stainless steel cab and a steel drum with a three-year warranty against skin abrasion. Spring loaded pedestals, front and rear, add stability to the drum. The chassis air tank has easy-access drains. Conveniently located on the front bumper, a set of exterior mechanical controls provides easy operation of clean-up. A front cab inspection panel means easy access to service the heater valve, heater core and optional air conditioning. The easy-to-clean, flexible live rubber chute boot has a maintenance-free, ball bearing chute race.

The power to pour more

The drive train is the vehicle’s foundation of strength. It is manufactured using optimum materials and processes to achieve greater strength, including the tandem axle, front axle and transfer case – all warranteed. All major engine/ transmission/ suspension options are available.

Frame rails are HUCK-FIT® bolted to maintain tight fasteners throughout the frame. Aluminum three-piece rear fenders with steel-end caps are spring mounted to keep them secure. Steering and chute hydraulic lines are stainless steel for longer life. Designed for ease of maintenance with minimal down time, all wiring is color coded, and double netted and runs through plastic tubes.

From welding methods and glassy smooth paint techniques to micrometer testing, Terex Advance mixers are made to last and built with strength to handle tough load demands. The standard automatic transmission and ABS brake system give drivers further control and confidence both on and off the road. And the cab is ergonomically designed for comfort, control, safety, visibility and productivity.

Terex Advance mixers are custom-built to each customer’s specification from the ground up including chassis, drum and mixers crafted by experienced mechanics using the finest equipment in a 180,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. (The company also has a 50,000- square-foot parts distribution center and technical support staff on site.)

Manufacturing capabilities include a robotic drum tire welder and computer-controlled burn tables for precision parts cutting. Drive trains include heavy-duty Meritor components for steering and drive axles, and the transfer case. Terex Advance Mixer, also works closely with Hendrickson and other manufacturers of lift suspensions to ensure that trucks can handle required loads. Other top suppliers that contribute to the quality, durability and reliability of Terex Advance Mixers include Allison transmissions, Caterpillar, Cummins, Detroit Diesel Engines, Eaton for hydraulics and Watson for lift suspensions and auxiliary axles.

The company has a strong presence in the Northeast and Midwest with a market that extends coast to coast.

Advance Mixer is a perfect addition to global manufacturer Terex. “We believe that the purchase of Advance by Terex will be great for us,” Dunn says. “Terex is an industry leader in construction equipment.” Because Terex’s batch plants made by CMI fill concrete delivery systems, the combined company can insure that batch plants and trucks work well together.

“Between the two of us, we can offer a ready mix company everything they need to get up and going, from the batch plants, to the trucks, to the job site,” Dunn says.

Subscribe to Industry Today