Overview
ISO 18650-1:2021 defines the commercial specifications and terminology for concrete mixers used as individual machines on building sites or as components of batching plants. The standard sets out the content required in commercial literature (product data sheets, brochures and technical catalogs) and establishes the technical characteristics of whole machines and their components. Truck mixers (as defined in ISO 19711‑1) are explicitly excluded.
Keywords: ISO 18650-1, concrete mixers, commercial specifications, building construction machinery, mixer definitions
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard focuses on clear, consistent commercial information and definitions covering:
- Types of mixers: batch-type, continuous-type, gravity (free-fall) mixers and compulsory mixers (pan, trough, paddle, planetary, turbo, etc.), plus subtypes such as reversing-drum, tipping-drum, discharging-chute and self-loading mobile concrete mixer.
- Basic machine structure: essential units for gravity mixers (motor/engine, mixing drum, transmission, tipping mechanism, skip hoist, water-dosing) and for compulsory mixers (pan/trough, agitators, motor).
- Commercial specification content:
- General data and detailed component data
- Dimensional characteristics and example structures (informative annex)
- Special specifications for particular mixer types (tipping drum, reversing-drum, pan-type, paddle, continuous, self-loading mobile)
- Performance and capacity parameters and their definitions:
- Dry components capacity (Vc), ready concrete capacity (Vu), rated capacity
- Charging time (t1), mixing time (t2), discharging time (t3), reset time (t4) and cycle time (tc = t1 + t2 + t3 + t4)
- Number of batches per hour (n = 3600 / tc) and theoretical output for batch mixers (Q = n × Vu). For continuous mixers Q = 3600 × q / ρ (q = mass flow rate; ρ = density).
- Dimensional examples and illustrations in Annex A to clarify classifications and parameters.
Keywords: mixer capacity, mixing time, cycle time, theoretical output
Practical applications
ISO 18650-1:2021 is used to:
- Produce consistent, comparable product literature (datasheets, brochures, online catalogs)
- Define procurement specifications for contractors, rental companies and buyers
- Support manufacturers and OEMs in specifying components and machine configurations
- Aid plant designers and batching-plant integrators in selecting compatible mixers
- Provide a common vocabulary for technical sales, tender documents and regulatory compliance
Who should use this standard
- Mixer manufacturers and component suppliers
- Construction equipment specifiers and procurement teams
- Batching-plant designers and concrete producers
- Rental companies, contractors and site managers
- Standards writers and conformity assessment bodies
Related standards
For authoritative definitions, tables and illustrative figures consult the full ISO 18650-1:2021 document available from ISO.
Open preview (PDF)Building construction machinery and equipment — Concrete mixers — Part 1: Commercial specifications
