Preventative Maintenance of Concrete Mixer Trucks

Whenever your business takes delivery of a new mixer truck, whether you’re just starting out in the business or adding a new vehicle to your fleet, your maintenance people need to do a deep dive into the accompanying owner’s manual. New models arrive with differences due to manufacturers keeping abreast of technological improvements and incorporating them.

That can mean you have several different models in your fleet and your managers are required to document maintenance for numerous, somewhat different trucks. Later we’ll show you how that may not need be a hardship. In fact, it can be very good news.

Make Your Drivers Aware of Their Daily Duties

Ensure that your drivers know exactly what their responsibilities are regarding operating and driving your vehicles, and also inspecting their truck each day which is designed to keep operators safer on the job. Safety needs to be the focus of everything your drivers do. Constantly hammer that message home. Accidents can prove costly and dangerous to the point of life-ending. Prevention is key.

• Check hydraulic systems for fluid levels and proper function before loading.
• Check remote controls for proper function.
• Prior to unloading, always wet down the back of the truck and the chute to keep concrete from sticking.
• When transporting a load, keep the barrel speed at 2 to 3 rpm.
• If you have excess product, make wind rows for later recycling so it doesn’t get wasted.
• Wash out the barrel after each unload.
• Always raise lift axles before reversing your truck.
• Keep an eye on your slump meter to ensure your load is the correct consistency.