Mixer Rollover Prevention Revolves Around Drum Control

With a goal of curtailing load conditions conducive to vehicle rollover, Ozinga Bros., Inc., is piloting mixer drum speed control technology on a new

With a goal of curtailing load conditions conducive to vehicle rollover, Ozinga Bros., Inc., is piloting mixer drum speed control technology on a new Schwing Stetter 10.5-yd. mixer. A key ready mixed producer in the Chicago market, Ozinga is among the first users of the Stetter Mixer Automatic Revolution Technology (SMART) Drum. Unveiled at the 2007 World of Concrete, the device automatically maintains an optimum drum rpm and relieves operators of the need to activate a constant speed control. Ozinga equipment manager Randy Theis notes that an optimal rpm setting can temper the unbalanced load conditions of a mixer truck, especially one fully loaded en route to a job site. By eliminating periods of unnecessarily higher rpm, he also sees the technology reducing inside drum-face wear.

In loading or discharge modes, mixer operators control drum rpm. In over-the-road situations after the truck has reached a preset threshold speed, Smart Drum keeps drum rpm independent of engine speed. Using industry trip and distance averages, Schwing America engineers note that Smart Drum extends the life of the drum by more than 2.5 years. Other benefits of the system include improved mix quality, enhanced stability because the center of gravity is held constant, and less horsepower draw with resulting fuel savings from fewer drum rotations. A cab-mounted light bar notifies drivers when SMART Drum is engaged. The overall low-profile design of the drum results in fast loading and smooth discharge during low slump controlled slipforming or high-volume paving. Models are available from 10- to 11-cu.-yd., capacity in conventional or booster configurations. Û www.schwing.com

A SMART Drum video can be viewed at http://concreteproducts.com/video/index.html