What is the difference between a self-loading mixer and a transit mixer?

Sabrina
Fri, 18 Jul 2025 08:44:02 +0000
Concrete Machinery Blogs, Blogs

Concrete mixers are essential equipment in the construction projects. They are designed to mix cement, water, and aggregates efficiently. You can use it in a whole concrete batching plant, and you can also use it for your own mixing requirements. Daswell has various types of concrete mixing machines for your different applications.

Among all the mixer machines, the self loading mixer machine and transit mixer trucks are popular among our customers. Both of them can mix and transport concrete. While, they are different in function, operation, and are suitable for different job sites. Here you can know the detailed features of these two mixer trucks. It is helpful for you to select ideal mixer equipment for your project.

Self Loading Concrete Mixer

Mixing Capacity: 0.6-4.5 m?/batch
Bucket Capacity: ≥0.15-0.7 m?

Concrete Mixer Truck

Mixing capacity(m?): 3-14
Available chassis: HOWO/FOTON/SHACMAN

What is a self loading concrete mixer truck?

Self loading concrete mixer machine is a versatile equipment. It combines the functions of loading, mixing, and transporting concrete in a single unit. Different from the traditional concrete mixers, it doesn’t need to equip with a separate loader or batching plant. The mobile self loading mixer truck is highly efficient for small to medium-sized projects. This type of mixers is equipped with a loading bucket, hydraulic system, and mixing drum. You can load raw materials directly from the ground.

It is ideal for remote or confined job sites, where access to additional machinery is limited. Their ability to operate independently enhances productivity. Moreover, it helps reduce your labor costs.

self-loading concrete mixer for construction

Key Features of Self-Loading Mixers

A self-loading mixer has several unique features, which make the self loading mobile concrete mixer stand out in the construction industry.

The all-in-one design eliminates the need for additional equipment. This saves your time and resources. Our self loading mixers combine feeding, mixing, transporting, and discharging functions in one machine.

They all adopt hydraulic loading systems for collecting raw materials from the ground easily.

The mixing drum ensures consistent concrete quality. Especially, the mixing drum has a 270-degree multi-angle discharge chute for adaptability in diverse environments. And the four-wheel-drive capability makes self loading mixer move well on rough terrains.

Self loading mobile concrete mixer has a compact structure. For your urban construction sites with limited space, it is suitable.

Main Structure of Self-Loading Concrete Mixer

What is a transit mixer?

Transit mixer is also known as a concrete transport mixer or truck mixer. It is designed for transporting ready-mix concrete from a batching plant to construction sites. The transit mixer truck is consists of a rotating drum, which is mounted on a truck chassis. This keeps the concrete mixture in motion to prevent solidification during transit.

The concrete mixer truck is commonly used in large-scale projects, where high volumes of concrete are required. While, it should be mentioned that this mixer truck relies on centralized batching plants for material supply. And there is no ability of loading and mixing raw materials on-site. Daswell concrete mixer trucks are most suitable for long-distance transportation. You can use it for some projects, which have well-estabilished infrastructure.

applications of concrete mixer truck

Key features of transit mixers

The concrete transit mixer trucks are built for durability and efficiency in concrete transportation.

This transit mixer truck has rotating drums. The main function of the drum is making sure the concrete remains uniform and workable throughout the journey.

It is available for you to adjust the drum rotating speed.

The transit mixers are mounted on heavy-duty truck chassis. You can drive them on highways and rough roads.

This mixer truck relies on separate batching plant for concrete production. Compared with the self loading mobile concrete mixer truck, it can not operate independently without ready-mix concrete.

It is ideal for delivering large quantities of concrete over long distances.

benefits you can get from concrete mixer truck

Main differences between self-loading and transit mixers

Feature | Self-Loading Mixer | Transit Mixer
Loading Ability | Self-loads materials | Needs batching plant for loading
Mixing Capability | Mixes concrete on-site | Only transports pre-mixed concrete
Mobility | Off-road capable (4×4 common) | Mostly on-road use
Project Size | Small to medium projects | Large-scale projects
Dependency | Independent operation | Depends on batching plant

The main difference between self loading mixers and transit mixers are their operational capabilities. The self loading mixers can load, mix and transport concrete independently. Thus, this mixer machines are ideal for small pr remote projects. They eliminate your requirement on separate mixing machine and transporting trucks. In contrast, the transit mixers only transport the pre-mixed concrete from batching plant or concrete plant to working site.

Self-loading concrete mixer truck is more versatile than the mixer trucks. And it is more suitable for on-site mixing. It is like a simple concrete mixing plant for your small projects. The transit mixer trucks are more excellent for large-scale projects, which require high-volume concrete delivery. Additionally, the self-loading mobile mixer truck is more compact and maneuverable. The transit mixers are larger and designed for road transportation.

How to choose from these two mixer trucks for your projects?

Choosing a right mixer mainly depends on project requirements, site conditions, and budget. If your project is small scale, limited space, or remote locations, the self loading mixer truck machine is a better choice than the concrete mixer truck. You can complete the mixing and transporting processes by using one machine.

For your large scale or long-distance transportation needs, the transit mixer truck will be more efficient. You can use it for transporting concrete from batching plant to your working sites. It can avoid concrete solidification during the transportation.

Before you make your decision, considering the factors such as concrete volume, site accessibility, labor availability, and transportation logistics. Both the self loading mobile mixer machines and transit mixer trucks offer distinct advantages. Choosing a right mobile concrete mixer truck, it can enhance your productivity and cost-effectiveness for your construction projects.

Factor | Self-Loading Mixer Truck | Transit Mixer Truck
Project Scale | Small-scale projects | Large-scale projects
Site Conditions | Limited space, remote locations | Accessible sites with proper roads
Budget | Lower initial cost (all-in-one machine) | Higher cost (requires batching plant)
Concrete Volume | Small to medium batches | Large volumes
Mixing & Transport | Mixing and transporting in one machine | Only transports pre-mixed concrete
Site Accessibility | Suitable for rough or hard-to-reach sites | Requires good road access
Labor Availability | Requires fewer operators | Needs additional batching plant workers
Transport Logistics | Ideal for on-site mixing and short hauls | Best for long-distance transportation
Efficiency | Reduces time by combining processes | Faster for bulk deliveries
Concrete Quality | Mixed on-site, less risk of solidification | Requires careful timing to prevent setting