General
The Shortstop 3.5 mixer body requires a 25,000-26,000 lb GVW (gross vehicle
weight chassis). This is the total weight of the chassis, mixer body, fuel,
operator and concrete. Ultimately, the weight of the chassis and mixer body
combined will dictate the capacity rating of the mixer body. Most medium duty
chassis will permit loading of the full 3.5 yards capacity of concrete.
Live Hydraulic Power
A concrete mixer body requires live (continuous) hydraulic power. The mixer
drum must continue turning regardless weather the chassis is moving and/ or the
clutch is engaged or disengaged.
A standard (manual) transmission with auxiliary PTO will not work for a mixer
installation. If the mixer hydraulic pump is connected to the auxiliary PTO
each time the clutch is disengaged for shifting the mixer drum will come to a
stop.
Front mounted engine driven PTO is the most common method of driving the
hydraulic pump. Most new chassis can be ordered with front hydraulic PTO
provision. A special radiator extended front frame rail and a hydraulic pump
mounting bracket permit the installation of hydraulic pump with a drive shaft
connected directly to the chassis engine. The hydraulic pump powering the mixer
drum continues to turn regardless of the chassis.
What about an automatic transmission?
Some automatic transmissions have live hydraulic power capabilities.
Unfortunately most of these transmissions are found in heavy GVW chassis. These
transmissions can be ordered on a new chassis but they are very costly. Consult
your local truck dealer.
Can a standard truck be modified for front PTO?
In many cases the answer is YES, contact your truck dealer Ernest Industries and
let us look over the truck spec before you purchase.
Buying a Used Chassis for a Shortstop 3.5 Mixer
Brake System
Most used medium duty trucks (<26,000 lb GVW) truck are equipped with either
hydraulic disc or air brakes. We recommend trucks with air brake systems
because when discharging concrete all wheels are locked with an air brake
system. Unlike a hydraulic brake system, which usually features a driveline
brake in which only the rear wheels are locked. Delivering ready mix concrete
in hilly terrain air brakes are a must. We have many mixers successfully
operating with hydraulic brakes but operators should be prepared to chock
wheels when discharging on uneven terrain. Make sure the parking brake is in
good working order. There are hydraulic parking brake retrofit kits available.
Visit www.mico.com
for additional information.
DOT Inspection
All commercial trucks are required to have an annual DOT inspection. The
inspection covers major working parts on the chassis such as clutch,
transmission, lights, brakes, parking brake, suspension and more. We recommend
prior to purchasing a used chassis have the DOT inspection completed as part of
the sale agreement. Any needed repairs can be identified and any needed repairs
negotiated with truck dealer prior to purchase.
Purchasing a Used Chassis from Ernest Industries or a recommended Ernest
Industries Truck Dealer
Ernest Industries is not in the business of selling used truck chassis.
However, we offer for sale-completed mixers on used chassis. We make a
conscious effort to be sure the chassis is in good working order. Each chassis
will have a current DOT inspection along with a copy of dealer's description of
the chassis. Used chassis purchased directly from Ernest Industries or a
recommend Ernest Industries chassis dealer are sold "AS IS" with no warranty
expressed or implied. The Ernest Industries Shortstop mixer body carries a
one-year warranty against defective parts and workmanship. The details of our
warranty can be found in the "Terms of Sale Section of our Web Site".
Retrofitting a Used Chassis for Front PTO
Many customers ask if the mixer can be installed on a used chassis. We have and
our customers have successfully installed many mixer bodies on used chassis.
Here is summary information on the most popular retrofits. Other makes and models
have been retrofitted but we do not have specific information on how the
customer made the modifications.
Ford
|
2002-Current Model Year F650 is very easy to retrofit, install front frame extension,
radiator is mounted with clearance for a drive shaft, budget $1,000- $1,500 for retrofit.
|
|
|
2001-1996: retrofit radiator and add front frame extension. We have been to purchase a
radiator from Ford. Budget $1,500- 2,500 for retrofit.
|
|
|
1996 and later: no experience.
|
International
|
2001-Current, model 4300-4700, known as (NGV) trucks. Unable to modify, radiator too low.
|
|
|
1990-2000 model 4700, factory retrofitted with front PTO
equipment including new radiator, new air/air exchanger. These are great trucks
to retrofit because all equipment is factory available. Budget $3,500 if
completed by our local International dealer.
|
General Motors (GM)
|
2002- Current: Unknown
|
|
|
1998-2001: Replacement factory radiator and fan shroud. Non
factory modifications to hood are required for drive shaft clearance. Budget
$3,500.
|
