Used Volumetric Mixer Buying Guide: What to Check Before You Buy

This guide walks you through every step. By the end, you will know how a volumetric mixer works. You will also know what size fits your jobs, what to inspect, and how to pay for it.

What Is a Volumetric Mixer?

A volumetric mixer is a machine that carries raw concrete ingredients in separate compartments. It holds cement, sand, stone, and water, then mixes them on-site in exact ratios. This is different from a ready-mix truck. A ready-mix truck arrives with wet concrete that was already mixed in a rotating drum. A volumetric mixer only combines materials when you need concrete. That lets it produce the exact amount for the job and cut waste way down.

Most people in the trade also call it a volumetric mixer truck, a volumetric concrete mixer, or a mobile mixer. Some units mount on a trailer instead of a truck chassis. That lowers the upfront cost. But it also limits how far and how fast you can move between jobs.

The technology dates back to the mid-1960s. A handful of manufacturers started building their own versions back then. Today the major brands include Cemen Tech, Bay-Lynx, Holcombe Mixers, Pro-All (Reimer Mixers), and Zimmerman Industries. These five companies also make up the Volumetric Mixer Manufacturers Bureau. This group formed in 1999 to standardize testing and terms across the industry. Parts and service availability varies by brand. Check what is common in your area before you commit to one.

How a Volumetric Mixer Works

A volumetric mixer measures out cement, sand, stone, and water as it makes the concrete. It does not mix everything ahead of time. An auger inside the mixing chamber blends the materials without stopping. A metering system controls how much of each part goes in. Bay-Lynx’s mixer lineup (opens in a new tab), for example, runs a 12-inch mixing auger. It also carries a 500-gallon water tank and a conveyor belt that feeds material into the mix.

The operator sets the ratios in real time. This lets a volumetric mixer switch between different concrete mixes on the same job. It can also slow down or speed up output without wasting a drop. A standard truck-mounted unit typically holds enough material to produce 25 to 60 cubic yards of concrete per hour. Larger dual-bin units carry two separate mixes at once. They can produce 80 to 100 cubic yards per hour, so one truck can cover two jobs back to back.

This setup solves the biggest problem with a traditional ready-mix truck: leftover concrete. Concrete in a rotating drum starts to set the moment it is mixed. A ready-mix truck has to sell what it batched, even if the job only needed half that much. A volumetric mixer produces concrete by the yard instead. A small repair job and a large pour can come from the same machine, with no waste on either end.

Why Buy a Used Volumetric Mixer?

A new volumetric mixer, mounted on a truck chassis, typically costs $150,000 to $400,000. The price depends on size and how automatic the controls are. The largest computer-controlled, dual-bin units can top $1 million. That price includes the chassis and the full automation package. Used equipment of the same size and output can cost 30 to 50 percent less.

Used does not mean worn out. Many mixers on the market come from ready-mix operators and contractors upgrading their fleets on a set schedule. Others come from businesses that closed or downsized. Some were surrendered to a lender, with clear ownership documentation and a history you can verify.

The real risk is buying without knowing the machine’s condition and calibration history. That is what the rest of this guide covers.

Step 1: Know What Size You Need

Buy too small and you will be turning away work. Buy too large and you are paying for output you never use.

Compact and trailer-mounted mixers (up to about 25 cubic yards per hour) Best for landscaping, residential flatwork, and utility or curb repair. This size costs less. A trailer-mounted unit also skips the cost of a dedicated truck chassis.

Standard truck-mounted mixers (25 to 60 cubic yards per hour) Best for general contractors and small ready-mix operators. This size fits crews that move between several job sites in a day. It is the most common size for owner-operators.

High-output and dual-bin mixers (60 to 100+ cubic yards per hour) Best for commercial paving, DOT work, and large-scale pours. Dual-bin units carry two mixes at once. One truck can run two jobs without returning to the yard.

Match the mixer to the jobs you run every week, not the one large pour you take once a year. A mid-size unit that runs every day beats a high-output unit that sits idle most of the month.

Step 2: Set Your Full Budget

The purchase price is only part of the cost. Think through these before you commit:

• Purchase price: what you pay upfront or finance.
• Chassis and DOT compliance: if the mixer is truck-mounted, the chassis needs current registration, inspection, and a driver with the right commercial license.
• Calibration and certification: a mixer needs to be calibrated with the actual materials it will run, then recalibrated on a schedule.
• Wear parts: mixing auger blades, conveyor belts and chains, and water system components wear down with use and need periodic replacement.
• Insurance: required if you are financing.
• Parts availability: brands differ in how fast you can get replacement parts, especially outside major markets.

Beyond the purchase price, plan for what it costs to keep the mixer running and in calibration. A total cost of ownership calculator (opens in a new tab) can help you put real numbers to those costs before you commit.

Step 3: Inspect the Machine

Never buy a used volumetric mixer without a hands-on inspection. A visual walk-around will not tell you if the mixer measures materials the right way. That is the one thing this machine has to get right.

Check these systems in order:

• Mixing auger and wear blades: look for a gap of 1/8 inch or more at the auger hub. That much wear changes how the machine mixes. Replace the parts before you put the mixer to work.
• Conveyor system: check the chain, belt, and sprockets for wear. The top chain rail should measure at least 5/8 inch thick.
• Water and admixture system: check the tank for algae buildup. Test that the water pump holds 80 to 100 psi, and run the admix pump through its full cycle.
• Hydraulic system: check the fluid level, filter condition, hoses, and any signs of leaking.
• Calibration records: ask when the mixer was last calibrated with real materials. Cemen Tech’s maintenance checklist (opens in a new tab) recommends calibration once a year at minimum, and every quarter if the mixer runs heavy hours.
• Chassis, engine, and controls: for truck-mounted units, check the engine, brakes, and DOT paperwork the same way you would for any commercial truck. For trailer-mounted units, check the hitch, axles, and tires instead.

For a full breakdown of what to check on each system, see our volumetric mixer inspection guide.

Step 4: Get the Machine’s History

The inspection tells you the mixer’s current condition. The history tells you how it got there. Ask for:

• Service records: wear-part replacement, bearing lubrication, and hydraulic filter changes.
• Calibration and certification logs: this record matters most on a volumetric mixer. It is the proof the machine has been producing an accurate mix.
• Telematics data: some newer computerized models track hours and output on their own. This is harder to fake than a handwritten log.
• Ownership documentation: for this kind of equipment, this is typically a bill of sale rather than a title. Confirm the bill of sale is in the seller’s name. Also confirm there are no outstanding liens.

Good calibration records are not just paperwork. They are the clearest sign of whether the machine has been run and maintained the right way.

Step 5: Know Your Source

Where a mixer comes from matters.

Private seller: Prices can be attractive. But there is no vetting or inspection guarantee, and you have no recourse if the machine has problems.

Factory-direct or dealer: Cemen Tech, Bay-Lynx, Holcombe, Pro-All, and Zimmerman all sell direct or through dealer networks. They can often point you to certified used or refurbished units with a documented history.

Auction: Can turn up good deals. But inspection time before bidding is limited, and buyer premiums can add several percent to the final price. Know your all-in number before you bid.

Online marketplace: A marketplace that connects buyers with multiple sellers gives you more options in one place. You also get a clearer picture of each machine before you contact the seller. This is where PayDirt HQ fits. Browse our current volumetric mixer inventory.

Step 6: Plan Your Financing

Most buyers finance a volumetric mixer, especially a truck-mounted unit with a chassis included in the price.

• Down payment: typically 10 to 25 percent of the purchase price, depending on credit and machine age.
• Loan term: most equipment loans run 24 to 72 months depending on machine age and lender.
• Interest rate: varies by credit score, down payment, and machine age. Machines with clear ownership documentation and no outstanding liens usually get better rates.
• Total cost: always compare the total cost, not just the monthly payment.

PayDirt HQ has partnered with Equify Financial to offer equipment financing on machines listed here (opens in a new tab). Financing is offered and underwritten by Equify Financial, which sets all rates, terms, and credit decisions. Ask about current terms when you find a machine that fits.

Mistakes to Avoid

Skipping the calibration check. A mixer can look and run fine and still be dosing materials wrong. Ask for records, or budget for a fresh calibration. Our volumetric mixer inspection guide walks through each system in detail.

Buying on price alone. A low price on a mixer with worn auger blades or a stale calibration record usually costs more once you add the fixes.

Ignoring the water and admix system. Algae buildup and pump problems are easy to miss on a quick look and expensive to fix once they clog the system.

Not verifying ownership. Heavy equipment typically transfers through a bill of sale, not a formal title. Confirm the seller has the right to sell and that no lender holds an outstanding lien.

Assuming every brand works the same way. Cemen Tech, Bay-Lynx, Holcombe, Pro-All, and Zimmerman each use their own metering and control systems. Parts and service from one brand will not fit another.

Forgetting the chassis on a truck-mounted unit. The mixing system and the truck it rides on are two different things to inspect. A great mixer on a tired chassis is still an expensive repair waiting to happen.

Use this guide as your checklist. Inspect the mixing system and the calibration records before you commit, and confirm ownership before you buy.