What are forced action mixers used for?

Our forced action mixers are a mainstay on construction sites worldwide because they’re the preferred choice for mixing materials that require a consistent mix. They’re capable of consistently mixing large quantities of resin-bound gravel, concrete, mortar, render, plaster, screed, lime putty and more.

Does the SoRoTo® forced action mixer have telescopic legs?

Yes, all SoRoTo® Forced Action Mixers have telescopic front legs. The telescopic legs offer personalized height adjustments, helping reduce body strain by ensuring craftsperson’s work in the optimal position for their body.

Why is it important that you adjust the height of your equipment?

If you want to create a productive and ergonomic work environment, you need to adjust the height of your equipment. Let’s look at how adjusting the height of your forced action mixer will support ergonomics, safety and efficiency:

• Ergonomics: When a forced action mixer is adjusted to the optimal working height, it will enable crafts persons to operate machinery more comfortably, decreasing stress on the body and reducing the risk of strain caused by working in awkward positions. Loading the machine with material, the balance point of the machine when moved and the loading wheels height on the forced action mixer are all ergonomic areas created to be customizable to your height/needs.
   
• Efficiency: A height-adjusted forced action mixer will ensure smoother operations and precision as crafts persons can work faster and easier with a height matching theirs. Given the way you organize your workflow, you should always use a couple of minutes to height adjust your machine to the flow used for the specific task.

Adjusting the height of your forced action mixer: a step-by-step guide

Here’s how to adjust the height of your forced action mixer in five steps.

1.  Before you begin: safety precautions

As always, safety comes first. Before you start adjusting the height of your forced action mixer’s telescopic legs, ensure the machine is turned off and unplugged. The easiest way for adjusting the legs is to lay down the mixer, so it rests on all four wheels. If the adjustment is done with the mixer standing and with the help from a colleague, be sure to do it on a level surface; this will prevent the mixer from tipping and causing injuries or damage.

2. Decide your biggest win

Exactly which height you select will depend on your requirements. Let’s look at what factors you’ll need to consider.

• Your height (Prioritize 35%): No two crafts persons are the same height. You may need to adjust the forced action mixer’s height to allow you to work comfortably. For example, if you’re taller than average, you may experience back strain when bent over a low-set machine too frequently. To help you find the right height for your body, remember that your hands should be positioned around 15 to 20 cm below your elbows when doing heavy work.
• Balance point (Prioritize 25%): You must tip the forced action mixer onto its driving wheels when moving it around a building site. To limit the physical power required to tilt and push the machine, you need to hold it at the correct balance point. If the machine’s height is too low, it will be challenging to get it into a position that feels comfortable.
• Use with wheelbarrows (Prioritize 30%): If you’re using your forced action mixer in conjunction with a wheelbarrow, the correct height will ensure the mixture can be easily poured into the wheelbarrow via the exit chute with minimal wastage.
• Loading into a van (prioritize 10%): If you often move your mixer between places with transport distances, it might make sense to adjust the height to your van, so the loading wheels are in perfect height for the van. Each country has its own preferred vans, so height will vary for vans – but for Denmark this would be the middle hole of the 3 holes (transport hole not seen as a hole).
   

3. Review the current height

The height your forced action mixer is currently set to will depend on whether or not it has been height adjusted after delivery.

All SoRoTo® telescopic legs have four heights, adjustable via four different sets of holes. These include three height positioning holes and the ‘default hole’, which is in the lowest possible position and is most commonly used during transportation from manufacturer to dealers/shops.

The telescopic legs on the 300 liter forced action mixer has a multiple purpose, as they are also made to stabilize the mixer on the legs instead of the wheels. Legs however, can be set in a height matching your preferred height. Wheels are easily taken off the 300 liter, and then only the legs will carry the machine.   

If you’ve purchased a new forced action mixer in Denmark, you’ll find it has been set up to the perfect height for use with a Danish wheelbarrow (position 2 in below view) — the most commonly required height in the country. However, if you’ve purchased a mixer outside of Denmark, the telescopic legs will be set to the ‘default hole’.

4.​ Choose your preferred height

Here’s a guide to help you select the right height for your needs, ranging from low to high. 

• Position 0: Default hole – lowest possible height. Used for extraction to a bucket on the bucket stand or a super low wheelbarrow.
• Position 1: Perfect for making the machine accessible to shorter persons.
• Position 2: This is the recommended position for general use and when discharging mortar mix into a (Danish height, tipping point can be 75 cm) wheelbarrow.
• Position 3: The highest setting, improves the mixer's center of gravity, simplifying tipping and loading to a truck, and minimizing back strain for tall people. 

If your choice of focus is on a wheelbarrow to fit under, always choose lowest possible height where the wheelbarrow will fit. When using your forced action mixer with a SoRoTo Dust Controller (LINK), remember to have as much possible distance from your head to the mixer, if dust controller don’t remove all of the dust.

5. Adjust the height

The easiest way to adjust the legs is to lay the mixer down to rest on all four wheels.

Next, release the legs, which are secured with nuts and bolts, and adjust them to the height you require. Put the nuts and bolts back in place to secure the legs again.

As mentioned, there are four heights you can choose from. Each hole is set 5cm apart across all models, with the 40L model being the only exception. The space between the holes in a 40 liter mixer measures 5.5cm. The distance from the transport hole to first position is 6,7 cm.

In need of quicker extraction for floating material?

As earlier described, there is telescopic legs on the back of the mixer. Normally we see that all legs (front and back) are setup in the same height to have a straight flow, but it is possible to increase height of the back telescopic legs. This would usually be done if you have floating/liquid materiel as a mixing product and want the extraction of the material from the mixer to be quicker (if the material is a quick drying material). OBS. this will move the balance point of the machine, so if done this should be adjusted back to an “in line” setup of legs.   

In conclusion, ensuring that your forced action mixer is properly adjusted to the optimal height is not just about convenience—it's about prioritizing your health, efficiency, and overall quality of work. At SoRoTo, we understand the vital role that good design plays in achieving this balance. With telescopic legs built into every SoRoTo Forced Action Mixer, customizable height adjustments are at your fingertips, ensuring that you can work comfortably and safely, no matter your height or task at hand.

By taking the time to adjust your mixer's height, you're investing in a more ergonomic workspace, reducing strain on your body and improving overall productivity. Whether you're pouring concrete, mixing mortar, or rendering walls, finding the right height for your equipment can make all the difference.

So, the next time you're gearing up for a day of mixing, remember the importance of height adjustment and the difference it can make. With SoRoTo, you're not just getting a mixer—you're getting a tool designed with your comfort and efficiency in mind. Experience the difference that good design can make and elevate your mixing experience with SoRoTo Forced Action Mixers.

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Disclaimer: The following blog text contains guidelines regarding low cement castables and how to mix it as communicated by the company SoRoTo. However, it is important to note that these guidelines are for informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for the manufacturer's guidelines. SoRoTo recommends that users always refer to the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines for their specific product to ensure proper and safe usage. SoRoTo will not be held liable for any damages or injuries that may result from the misuse or improper application of their guidelines.