The Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Purchasing Construction Concrete Mixer Truck

You’ve got big projects on the books and even bigger plans in mind. If cement plays a role in your vision for the future, you’re going to rely on concrete trucks to get the job done. The question is, how much does a concrete truck cost? 

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Concrete truck costs vary based on factors like whether you are buying new or used, the size of the machinery, and even the brand name of the equipment. Here’s everything you need to know about the price of cement trucks so you can make an informed purchasing decision. 

What Is a Concrete Truck?

A concrete truck is a vehicle that mixes and transports cement from the mixing plant to the construction site. The rotating drum mounted to the chassis continuously mixes and agitates the concrete to prevent it from hardening. 

Types of Concrete Trucks

Not all concrete trucks are the same. Some are better suited to certain kinds of work than others, so it’s important to understand their differences. Common types of concrete trucks include: 

• Standard transit mixers (also known as drum mixers) have a rotating drum mounted on the back, mixing as it drives to the delivery site.

• Volumetric mixers have separate sand, water, aggregate, and cement compartments, allowing them to be mixed on-site. 

• Front discharge mixers have a drum mounted at the front of the vehicle, allowing the driver to precisely dispense concrete. 

• Rear discharge mixers can discharge concrete at various angles via the rear-mounted mixer. 

Transit mixers are the most common and usually the most affordable. Volumetric mixers are incredibly complex, meaning they also carry a higher price tag and are more difficult to maintain. 

How Much Is a Concrete Truck?

Concrete trucks have no set price, and many variables will impact the price tag. How much does a new concrete truck cost? You’ll have a difficult time finding a new truck for under $100,000. 

If you want to minimize the cost of a concrete truck, consider a well-maintained used option. Used concrete truck costs can range from $30,000 to $150,000, depending on the age, size, and type of truck. 

Factors Affecting Concrete Truck Cost

Buying the lowest-priced vehicle makes sense if you need to keep costs down. But that doesn’t mean that it is going to be the right concrete truck for your needs. Paying more upfront can give you features and reliability that will make your work easier. To help you better understand what you’ll pay, here are several variables that affect cement truck costs:

Truck Size and Capacity

Bigger trucks carry more cubic yards of concrete in a single trip. While they have a larger capacity, they are also more expensive due to the need for a bigger engine, mixer, and other components.

Type of Mixer

Different types of mixers, such as transit and volumetric mixers, offer varying flexibility and efficiency. Transit mixers tend to be the most economical. Volumetric mixers are far more complicated, making them more expensive to buy and maintain. 

Engine Power and Performance

A more powerful engine will cost more than a smaller engine. However, it will perform better and may have a longer lifespan. You’ll need to weigh the initial cost against the long-term savings.

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Age and Mileage

Like any vehicle, a concrete truck's age and mileage will affect its price. Newer trucks command higher prices and probably won’t need any immediate repairs. Older trucks with high miles may require frequent maintenance from the get-go. 

Brand and Model

Certain brands, like Mack, Peterbilt, and Kenworth, as well as different models are known for their reliability and higher resale value. Buy from a reputable brand, especially if you intend to perform any vehicle upkeep yourself. 

Condition and Maintenance History

The condition of the truck and its maintenance history are crucial considerations when buying used. Well-maintained trucks may cost more up front but save you money on repairs and downtime. 

Fuel Efficiency

Fuel costs are a big expense for any fleet vehicle. Trucks with better fuel efficiency may cost you more initially. However, even a difference of a few miles per gallon in fuel efficiency can save you thousands over the lifetime of the vehicle. 

Transmission Type

Concrete trucks are available with automatic and manual transmissions. Automatic transmissions are more expensive and complicated, and you'll pay more if you have to make repairs or replace the transmission.

Manual or stick shift trucks require additional skill to operate. However, they also tend to be cheaper and easier to maintain. 

Additional Features and Technology

Newer trucks have high-end features and tech, like GPS tracking and ergonomic cab designs. Consider whether these amenities are “must haves” or something on your wishlist. You can save tens of thousands of dollars by opting for a slightly older truck without all the bells and whistles. 

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Cement Truck?

Prices vary, but expect to pay at least a few hundred dollars per hour. You will also be charged for each cubic foot of concrete that you pump, so keep that in mind when considering a rental. 

You might be willing to deal with the high cement truck rental cost for a one-off job here and there. However, if you regularly need a concrete truck, it’s best to invest in a high-quality, used model. 

Tips for Buying a Used Concrete Truck

No one wants to go into a big purchase without the right guidance. Here are a few more tips to help you find a great concrete mixer priced within your budget.

Determine Your Needs

Don’t look for deals until you’ve identified your minimum equipment requirements. Decide what capacity mixer you need and the type of truck that best suits your work. Then, based on your intended use case, narrow down your list of potential options. 

Set Your Budget

Set a realistic budget that includes the purchase price and operating costs. Don’t redline your budget by purchasing a brand-new truck that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars if you’re only going to use it occasionally. Take advantage of deals available on used vehicles and leave wiggle room in your budget to cover upkeep. 

Search Online Auctions for Deals

An online auction site like Purple Wave can help you get a great concrete mixer at a great price. Our nationwide auction connects you with great deals on used trucks so you can save money while also meeting your company’s equipment needs.

Buy Concrete Trucks Online With Purple Wave 

The purchase of a concrete mixer truck requires a lot of careful planning. Specs, regulations, work site conditions and even weather have to be considered very carefully before a decision is made.

We asked vocational truck manufacturers for advice on how Canadian operators should approach spec'ing their mixers. Here are some of their suggestions to get the most out of your purchase.

Seek out expert knowledge
Advice can come from many directions when it comes to where you start with a truck spec sheet, noted John Felder, vocational product marketing manager for Volvo Trucks. "Key design criteria are vehicle weight and reliability, as the mixer trucks haul a time-sensitive commodity. It's important to seek advice within the market where the truck will be operated," Felder said.

Chad Semler, Director, Product Marketing Severe Service with Navistar explained that "This is a mature industry and the truck specs are well defined by the mixer-body manufacturer and OE (original equipment) chassis providers. For example, International has mixer application features such as levelling suspension (mixers are heavier on the left side when full), special cross member location for PTO pump mounting, transition plates for bridge formula mixer body installation, and others."

Tim Wrinkle, construction product manager with Mack, said the spec'ing process should also start with a knowledge of what truck companies can offer in terms of support. "For example, Mack's body builder support group is dedicated to working with customers before, during and after the upfit to ensure a smooth process and timely delivery of the finished truck."

From regulations to suspension - there is lots to consider
When it comes to Canadian consumers, there are numerous considerations to keep in mind when buying a concrete mixer truck for concrete use. The range of regulations from province to province can be a challenge. Local dealers are familiar with the regulations for their region, so be sure to make use of their expertise when researching the type of truck you want to buy.

"As with any commodity-hauling business, the goal of a mixer is to deliver as much concrete as possible in accordance with laws and infrastructure restrictions," Felder noted. 

"Just like weight laws can change from state to state in the U.S., Canadian provinces have their own regulations that change and have major impact on truck specs," said Wrinkle. "For example, Ontario allows heavier weights than any other province, and has instituted new standards that mandate certain percentages of weight be balanced between steerable axles and rear axles. This will come into effect in , so it's imperative to work with your local Mack salesperson to ensure you will be legal in three years time."

"The axle capacities, lift axles and booster axles depend on local weight laws and desired payloads," Semler said. "For example, International offers a Dana 50,000-pound capacity tandem drive axle specific for concrete mixer applications that fills a need in certain parts of the country."

When it comes to keeping mixers within a certain length, owners may want to look at a set-forward steer axle configuration with no protruding parts in front of the bumper, according to Peter Schimunek, Marketing Manager, Western Star Trucks. This is especially important if a liftable booster axle is required. 

Mixer trucks are top-heavy and deal with plenty of shifting weight. It's important to ensure that the right suspension is part of the spec'ing process.

"Mixers typically need to perform both on- and off-road, and since mixers have a high centre of gravity with the spinning barrel carrying approximately 40,000 pounds of concrete, they are more prone to rollover than other vocational applications," Wrinkle described. "Mechanical suspensions with high roll stiffness and high roll centres are best suited for high centre of gravity applications."

In addition, the way the drum moves can cause imbalances, Felder said. "There is an inherent imbalance introduced to the mixer truck due to the rotation of the drum, causing the concrete to collect on one side of the drum. The Volvo T-Ride suspension has 17 inches of articulation and an equalized downward force to each wheel end. Stiffeners can be added to the multi-leaf springs, or offer a spring bias solution to compensate for the drum's imbalance when full."

There are also many lighter-weight chassis components that can be considered, according to Schimunek. They recommend looking at a deep single channel frame rail, versus a double channel - this design is lighter and eliminates the risk of corrosion between the rails. Consider a factory installed transition plate which is used with mixer barrels that are equipped with a subframe. It is typically bolted to the frame at the back of the cab and helps to relieve stress on the rails.

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