Not every mixer build starts with a standard truck chassis. When a mining customer needed concrete delivered deep underground, Cesco took on a project that called for engineering well beyond a typical mount: converting an existing JCB articulated vehicle into a fully functional, hydraulically operated concrete mixer built to the demands of an underground mine.
Working within tight limits
Underground mining brings two non-negotiables: strict height clearances and rigorous mine safety requirements. A conventional mixer mounted on top of the JCB’s chassis would never have cleared the tunnels, so our engineering team rethought the layout from the ground up.
We removed the articulated section of the chassis and designed a purpose-built frame that allows the mixer bowl to sit down into the chassis rather than on top of it. This lowered the overall profile enough to meet the height requirement without compromising the mixer’s capacity or performance.
Engineered for extreme heat
With ambient temperatures underground reaching around 50°C, standard hydraulic cooling wasn’t enough. Additional cooling for the hydraulic oil was built into the design so the system runs reliably in conditions that would quickly overwhelm an off-the-shelf setup.
Creating a drive where none existed
The JCB had no PTO or suitable aperture to drive the mixer’s hydraulics, so the team engineered one. The engine crankshaft was extended and fitted with a pulley wheel, and a hole was cut into the floor pan to give access to a hydraulic pump mounted beneath the engine. The result is a dependable drive solution integrated into a machine that was never designed to power a mixer.
Safety and practicality built in
To meet underground safety standards, extensive guarding was fitted along both sides of the barrel. The unit was also equipped with additive tanks, plus an access ladder and platform for safe operation and maintenance.
Custom engineering, Australian assembly
This project shows what Cesco does best: taking on difficult, non-standard briefs and delivering a practical, safe and reliable solution. Whether it’s a standard transit mixer or a one-off build for some of the toughest conditions in the country, our team has the engineering capability to make it work.
Have a unique application in mind? Contact our in-house Cesco design and engineering team to discuss your requirements.
