If you’re running a short load concrete business, you already know the name of the game is speed, reliability, and efficiency. Pairing a hopper with a short load mixer is one of the smartest ways to increase production without sacrificing quality. Whether you’re operating on a tight jobsite or loading up mixers back at the yard, this combo helps you keep the concrete flowing and your crew moving.
Why Pair a Hopper with a Short Load Mixer?
Let’s break it down. A hopper isn’t just a holding bin—it’s an essential part of an optimized loading system. When you use it alongside a short load mixer, you reduce downtime, streamline material handling, and increase the number of batches you can produce in a day. Simply fill the hopper with materials, transport to your location, and start spinning!
Reduced Idle Time Between Batches
When you’re working with a single mixer, every minute it sits empty is a minute you’re not making money. A properly sized hopper allows you to pre-load aggregates and cement while the mixer is still turning. That means less idle time and more mix time.
But it’s not just about the machine—it’s about the crew. Utilizing a hopper also reduces the physical strain on your team by cutting down on the back-breaking work of manually loading materials. That means your crew can focus on what really matters: pouring, finishing, and getting the job done right.
At Ready Mixer, our 3-yard and 1.75-yard portable concrete mixers are designed for fast batch cycles—and pairing them with our hopper takes that speed up a notch. “You can easily batch 2-3 yards every 10-15 minutes with our hopper and mixer setup,” says Daniel Brandon, Sales Manager at Ready Mixer.
Every minute it sits empty is a minute you’re not making money.
Faster Loading and Streamlined Cleanouts
Think of the hopper as a buffer zone. It receives a full load of aggregate and cement from your loader and holds it until the mixer is ready. That means your loader can get back to work while the hopper keeps the mix process moving.
Not only does this reduce wait times, but it also makes cleanouts easier and faster. A cleaner system means better batch consistency and less wear and tear on your equipment.
Increased Throughput and Capacity
Using a hopper allows you to keep production moving without stopping to reload between batches. That semi-continuous production style is exactly what contractors and mobile batch operations need to keep up with demand.
Lancaster Products, known for their high-shear mixing equipment, notes that using hoppers above and below mixers can create a “Continuous Batch Process” that significantly boosts throughput while maintaining quality.
Smarter Material Handling
A hopper can also improve your material handling system by enabling:
Better storage of aggregates and cement between batches
Consistent feeding into your mixer
Automation-ready systems that allow for precise ingredient measurement
And if you’re using a skid steer or loader for batching, we offer options to attach weight scales for even more accuracy in your mix designs.
Build Your Own System
At Ready Mixer, our customers often build their own mini mixing systems by pairing our hoppers with either trailer-mounted or skid-mounted mixers. You can fabricate it directly onto a truck or use a switch-and-go frame for ultimate flexibility.
The goal? Save time. Cut costs. Eliminate short load fees and order minimums. And get more control over your concrete operation.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to expand your batching capabilities or speed up your current setup, a hopper with a short load mixer is the way to go. It’s a cost-effective upgrade that brings real, measurable benefits to your business.
Want to see the system in action? Check out the hopper and mixer combo on ReadyMixer.com and talk to our team about the best setup for your workflow.
