A concrete mixer truck lives a hard life — the drum turns constantly, the fins beat against wet concrete all day, and the running gear underneath is loaded to the limit. Ames Hydraulics does concrete tank repair and full mixer-truck service for ready-mix operators and contractors in central Iowa. Drum hydraulics, roller rings and thrust rollers, fins, chutes, discharge hoppers, cracked mounts, and the frame steel that holds it all to the truck. Free pickup within 60 miles of Ames.
The Big Roller — the Drum Ring and Thrust Roller
The most common concrete tank repair we see is on the drum ring and the rollers that support it. Years of turning under load wear both the ring and the rollers, and once they’re worn the drum wobbles, bearings pound out, and the wear accelerates. We machine-true worn rings when they’re within limits, replace roller assemblies, and rebuild the drive-side thrust rollers so the drum tracks properly again.
What We Repair on a Mixer
- Drum ring and thrust rollers — worn rings machined, rollers replaced
- Fins and blades inside the drum — worn or torn fins re-welded or replaced
- Hydraulic pumps, motors, and lines that turn the drum
- Chutes, chute-lift cylinders, and discharge hoppers
- Cracked drum-mount pedestals and frame rails welded and reinforced
- Water-tank plumbing on the mixer
- Running gear — axles, brakes, and suspension underneath
Hydraulics That Turn the Drum
The pump, motor, and lines that turn a mixer drum see continuous service, high pressure, and heat. When the drum turns slowly, stalls under a full load, or won’t turn at all, the hydraulic system is where concrete tank repair starts. We rebuild the drum pump and motor, pressure-test them, and get the mixer back on schedule. Common failures: worn piston pumps, contaminated oil, and hoses that gave out from vibration.
Fins, Chutes, and the Wet Side
Fins inside the drum wear from the abrasive concrete they’re pushing, and once fins are worn, mix quality suffers. We replace or re-weld fins, patch cracks in the drum shell, and repair chutes and discharge hoppers that cracked or bent. If your mixer isn’t blending consistently, the fins are the first place to look.
Frame Cracks Under the Pedestal
The drum-mount pedestal and the frame rails underneath it take enormous cyclic load. Cracks show up eventually, especially on trucks that live in stop-and-go city work. Welded and reinforced properly, those cracks become stronger than the original steel. Left alone, they end with a mixer down at a customer’s pour — the worst possible time.
Free Pickup Within 60 Miles
Bringing a loaded mixer in is a problem — and we understand that. Empty the drum, and we’ll help you get the truck to us or come pick it up ourselves if it’s not safe to drive. Text a photo of the mixer and the failure to 515-292-2599 and we’ll tell you the same day what your concrete tank repair needs and roughly what it will cost.
Get the Mixer Back Pouring
See our full hydraulic repair, welding & fabrication, and trailer repair services. Call or text 515-292-2599 or bring the truck to 210 Freel Dr in Ames. Open Monday through Friday, 7AM to 5PM.
Ready-Mix and Contractor Operators
Most of our concrete tank repair work is for ready-mix operators, small pours-and-precast operations, and contractors running their own mixer trucks. If you have two or three mixers and want a local shop that can do drum, hydraulic, and frame work under one roof rather than sending pieces to three vendors, that’s exactly the customer we’re set up for. We keep drum roller-set and hydraulic-pump work moving because we know a down mixer is a day of missed pours.
Winter Rebuilds and Off-Season Overhauls
Iowa mixer operators know that January and February are the right time for concrete tank repair. The pour schedule is thin, the trucks aren’t earning, and we can pull a mixer apart, machine the roller ring, rebuild the drum hydraulics, and weld up the frame while the weather is doing its worst. Schedule the visit in the fall and we’ll queue you into the winter slot rather than scrambling at spring startup.
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Written by Josiah Ragsdale
Owner, Ames Hydraulics — Ames, Iowa
Josiah owns and operates Ames Hydraulics. He has worked on hydraulic and heavy equipment since he was 18, and every hydraulic cylinder his shop rebuilds is pressure tested before it ships back to the customer. More about Josiah →
Got something broken? Call or text 515-292-2599