I have been given a free cement mixer by someone who just finished up his projects, it’s a old Montgomery Ward, 1 or 1-1/2 bags. This thing has been passed down through many hands and it looks like it. One of the previous users didn’t think they needed to be cleaned out after use, so there’s a huge lump of concrete in the barrel. Makes the thing run off balance, it sort of dances around a little while it spins. Is there any way to get this stuff out? Banging on it has only been slightly effective. The teeth on the drive gear (the little one that meshes with the big ring gear that goes around the circumference of the barrel) are just about worn out. Any ideas where a new one could be found? Thanks for the help, the wife is very busy thinking up flatwork projects.
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Hammer and chisel. It'll chip away in layers. Miserable work. The gear doesn't have to turn a lot of weight so it would really have to be worn bad to need replacement. Those things were built like tanks. Check the doughnut ring with the set screw that holds the stem of the barrel to the collar, for stress cracks.
Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.
You could rent a small jackhammer/electric chisel to chip away the lump. You will want good ear protection.
You might post the dimensions of the bevel gear and see if it's the same as something else. I've got a new spare for my Canoga, but can't go measure it as it's a long way from home right now. Maybe try heating the outside of the drum with a torch where the blob is and see if it pops loose. Real hot, the metal will expand faster than the concrete. Or torch the concrete, it will pop off in little pieces. Wear goggles/face shield as it really flies when it pops. Joe H
You could try here or other gear companies. http://www.hpcgears.com/products/bevel_gears.htm
Edited 9/2/2002 12:05:51 PM ET by JoeH
Thanks to all for the help. I went out and got a demolition hammer from the local rental place, should've just bought the air chisel. Always be aware of an opportunity to buy a tool. Let me tell you people that you haven't experienced all that life has to offer until you've stuck your head into a steel barrel and pounded on it with a demo hammer. Anyway, reminds me of something I used to break out for people. You can try this at home. Take a standard wire coat hanger and some sewing thread. Tie two lengths of thread, about 30 inches, one to each end of the hanger (the hook part hanging down), or one big loop, you want to hold the thread with about 24 inches between your fingers and the hanger. Hold the thread so it goes right over the tips of your forefingers. Insert fingers with thread into your ears, so you're holding the thread in your ear canal, leaning over so the hanger swings freely. Then have someone gently (GENTLY, dammit) tap the hanger with a pencil or fork. Enjoy! Let me know what you think.
fill it half way with water and add a gallon of vinegar, and leave alone couple weeks. the ph of the vinegar soften the lime in concrete. Its the same method as muritic acid but not as pwerful.
Go buy you an air chisel . Tell your wife you have to have one for the flat work. This should be an easy job for you to convince her , and it is an awsome tool with flat work and it will chip that concrete out in a matter of minutes. Be sure to keep the oil to it and it will last a long time. Realatively cheap! Walmart or a parts store will have them. Im thinking 35 bucks .........
Tim Mooney