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Continuous vs Drum Concrete Mixer: Which One Fits Your Jobs?
Most portable concrete mixers are drum mixers: you load a batch, let it tumble, tip it out and start again. A continuous mixer works differently. It mixes dry bagged material and water as they move through an auger, so mixed concrete comes out in a steady stream for as long as you keep feeding it. This guide explains how each type works, what the output numbers mean in 80 lb bags, and which one fits the work you do, using the MudMixer continuous mixers and Multiquip drum mixers we carry.
How a drum mixer works
A drum mixer rotates a steel or poly drum with fins inside. You add water, aggregate mix and cement (or bagged concrete mix), let the drum turn until the batch is consistent, then tilt the drum to dump into a wheelbarrow or form. Then you load the next batch. Drum size is listed in cubic feet; the Multiquip mixers on our site range from the 3 cu ft electric MC3PEA to the 12 cu ft MC12PH, with Honda gas engines or electric motors depending on the model.
How a continuous mixer works
A continuous mixer has a hopper on top and a horizontal auger underneath. You pour bagged mix into the hopper, the auger carries it down the chute, and water is added along the way through an adjustable valve. Mixed concrete comes out of the end of the chute without stopping. On the MudMixer Evolution, water is set with an adjustable dial; the MudMixer Pro adds a built-in flow meter so you can repeat the same mix. Because there is no batch cycle, one person can feed bags and place concrete at the same time.
Output in 80 lb bags per hour
Bagged concrete is easiest to compare in bags. Quikrete states that an 80 lb bag of its Concrete Mix yields about 0.60 cubic feet, so 45 bags make one cubic yard (Quikrete data sheet).
| Mixer | Type | Rated output | About |
|---|---|---|---|
| MudMixer Evolution | Continuous, electric | 45+ 80 lb bags per hour | 1 cubic yard per hour |
| MudMixer Pro | Continuous, 1.5 HP electric | 3+ cubic yards per hour (135 80 lb bags) | 3 cubic yards per hour |
Drum mixer output depends on drum size, batch time and how fast your crew loads and empties it, so manufacturers usually list drum capacity rather than an hourly rate.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Continuous mixer (MudMixer) | Drum mixer (Multiquip) |
|---|---|---|
| Mixing method | Auger mixes as material moves down the chute | Rotating drum mixes one batch at a time |
| Flow | Steady stream while the hopper is fed | Stop, dump and reload between batches |
| Water control | Adjustable dial (Evolution); dial plus flow meter (Pro) | Added by the operator per batch |
| Power | Electric | Honda gas or electric, depending on model |
| Crew | Built so one person can feed and pour | Depends on batch size and how concrete is moved from the drum |
| Best fit | Bagged concrete, mortar, stucco and grout: fence posts, footings, pads, steps | Job-site batching, sites without power, mixing from separate sand, gravel and cement |
Which should you buy?
- Setting posts and small pours with bagged mix: a continuous mixer like the MudMixer Evolution lets one person pour straight into the hole or form. Add the Chute Extension for 18 in. more reach, or start with the Evolution Bundle.
- Larger bagged pours: the MudMixer Pro is rated at 3+ cubic yards per hour with a 250 lb hopper and all-terrain tires.
- No power on site, or mixing from bulk sand, gravel and cement: a gas drum mixer such as the Multiquip MC64S or MC94S is the better fit.
Not sure how much concrete your job needs? See our guide: How many 80 lb bags of concrete do I need? Browse all concrete mixers or contact us for contractor quantities.