Cement Mixer Problem

**loopyloo** · 10-11-12, 07:38 PM

Don't know if this is the right place for this but here goes.

I just bought a Lightburn cement mixer cheap. While I was busy cleaning it up for a paint job I discovered the 10 tooth pinion gear that mates to the barrel is almost worn away.

Does anyone know where I can get one from ?

Loopyloo

**mango** · 10-11-12, 07:45 PM

google is your friend

**loopyloo** · 10-11-12, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by mango

google is your friend

Did that, and still doing it but no luck yet.

**beer4life** · 10-11-12, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by loopyloo

Don't know if this is the right place for this but here goes.

I just bought a Lightburn cement mixer cheap. While I was busy cleaning it up for a paint job I discovered the 10 tooth pinion gear that mates to the barrel is almost worn away.

Does anyone know where I can get one from ?

Loopyloo

**lsemmens** · 10-11-12, 09:03 PM

If you can't source one, is it possible to remove it and build it up using a welder and then grinding them to shape. It's not a device that's likely to cause any major issues if you don't get it perfect.

**Godzilla** · 10-11-12, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by lsemmens

If you can't source one, is it possible to remove it and build it up using a welder and then grinding them to shape. It's not a device that's likely to cause any major issues if you don't get it perfect.

What he said, main point if its not cast iron, its a easy job to build it up with weld and carefully grind the teeth shapes back on.

This technique is regularly used, even the teeth in the front of front loader buckets and bobcats wear out and are rewellded up and ground back into shape.

**loopyloo** · 10-11-12, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by beer4life

Yeah thanks but that one's a 12 tooth

**loopyloo** · 10-11-12, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by lsemmens

If you can't source one, is it possible to remove it and build it up using a welder and then grinding them to shape. It's not a device that's likely to cause any major issues if you don't get it perfect.

Thought of that too.
I had a motorbike camshaft repaired like that once. It worked ok too.
Trouble is, the gear is beveled so it's a complicated shape which I'm not sure I have the skills to do and I imagine would cost heaps for an engineering shop to do it.
Better to find one if I can. Mind you, if I had a milling machine I'd have a go at it.

**mickc** · 10-11-12, 11:29 PM

Just looked on eBay 10 and 12 tooth
Bit pricey

**loopyloo** · 11-11-12, 12:40 AM

Originally Posted by mickc

Just looked on eBay 10 and 12 tooth
Bit pricey

Gee I couldn't find a 10 tooth on ebay. Can you please give me the link ?

**iannic52** · 11-11-12, 06:59 AM

Any good?

**mickc** · 11-11-12, 09:11 AM

**loopyloo** · 11-11-12, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by mickc

Thanks but alas, upon inspection I see this one on ebay is a 9 tooth.

**loopyloo** · 11-11-12, 09:50 AM

The only other thought I had was finding a differential pinion of the same diameter and tooth count and fit it to the shaft but I think all diff pinions are helical toothed.

**loopyloo** · 11-11-12, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by iannic52

Any good?

Thanks...They will be worth a call on Mon.

**VroomVroom** · 13-11-12, 06:21 AM

can you unbolt the ring gear from the drum and replace both together? if one is worn the other maybe getting thin too.

**bronty** · 13-11-12, 08:33 PM

Try B T ENGINERING at kirrwee surpliers of bricklaying tools

**loopyloo** · 14-11-12, 10:04 PM

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

can you unbolt the ring gear from the drum and replace both together? if one is worn the other maybe getting thin too.

The ring gear is made of pressed steel and is welded to the bowl.

I've had it apart to clean it up and paint it. On closer inspection I see the pinion gear is made of alloy, maybe similar to what they use to make small engines, so I think welding it up is out of the question. Obviously the it's been made so that the alloy pinion gear cops the wear instead of the pressed steel ring gear.

I've mocked up this drawing to show what the pinion teeth look like :
It's the end view of one tooth (of course they're all the same) and the drawing isn't exaggerated.

Loopyloo

**seliment** · 29-08-14, 12:57 AM

Have exactly the same problem with my ancient Lightburn mixer & it looks to have worn to exactly the same shape as well.
Has anyone had any success in sourcing a new pinion gear.

As last resort, I am about to talk to friend who runs a cnc machine shop and see if we can cut one out of a better wearing material such as silicon bronze.
The existing one appears to be some sort of diecast or zinc alloy and probably a casting rather than machined gears.

Now if one could lay hands on a new one or one in good shape to use as a pattern for casting or machining ---- maybe opportunity to be a source of this part for these 'antique' machines.
Was talking to a fellow brickies supply shop today and he said that these old mixers go forever as he had one when he first started in the trade & pity that the parts were not avail.
About 12 months ago he had a couple on shelf, but someone came in and 'bought the lot'!

**Downunder35m** · 29-08-14, 09:08 AM

You should still have something close to the original diameter and be able to see the teeth.
I would use a 3D printer to make a template and some moulding sand to make a cast.
If there is no access to equipment to melt iron I would mix some ferrite instead.
Or if in doubt check if the gear from modern mixer is a fit and modify the axle on it to match the old mixer.
For around 200 bucks you still see them on Ebay, might be worth getting one for a proper template and to restore both?