Hydraulic concrete mixer and method of manufacturing same

A drive train for a hydraulic concrete mixer, the drive train extending through a plastic drum of the hydraulic concrete mixer and comprising:

• a hydraulic motor outside and adjacent to the plastic drum;
• a first rigid plate between the hydraulic motor and the plastic drum;
• a second rigid plate inside the drum and coupled to the first rigid plate such that a portion of the drum is held between and in fixed relationship to the first rigid plate and the second rigid plate;
• a first shaft at least partially inside the plastic drum and adjacent to the second rigid plate;
• a second shaft at least partially inside the first shaft;
• a mounting plate coupled to the second shaft;
• a bearing on the first shaft;
• a sleeve covering the bearing and covering at least a portion of the first shaft;
• a second mounting plate coupled to the mounting plate;
• and
• a coupler coupling the second shaft to the hydraulic motor,
• wherein:
• the first shaft comprises:
• a first end;
• and
• a second end substantially opposite the first end;
• and
• the first shaft defines a passageway extending between the first end and the second end.

A method of manufacturing a hydraulic concrete mixer, the method comprising:

• providing a frame for the hydraulic concrete mixer;
• attaching a first shaft to the frame, the first shaft having a passageway extending therethrough;
• providing a first bearing on the first shaft;
• providing a drum for the hydraulic concrete mixer;
• providing components for a drive train of the hydraulic concrete mixer, including at least:
• a hydraulic motor, a first rigid plate, a second rigid plate, the first shaft, a second shaft, the first bearing, a second bearing, and a mounting plate coupled to the second shaft;
• attaching the first rigid plate and the second rigid plate to each other such that a portion of the drum is held between and in fixed relationship to the first rigid plate and the second rigid plate;
• placing the drum on the first shaft;
• placing the second bearing on the first shaft;
• placing the second shaft in the passageway extending through the first shaft;
• coupling the mounting plate to the first rigid plate;
• and
• attaching the hydraulic motor to the frame.