Concrete batch mixer

A batch mixer comprising:

• a mixing drum supported for rotation about a respective longitudinal axis extending generally horizontally between an inlet end and an outlet end of the drum;
• the mixing drum including a hollow interior arranged for receiving material to be mixed therein;
• the inlet end of the drum including an inlet opening formed therein;
• the outlet end of the drum having a discharge opening formed therein;
• a drive arranged to rotate the mixing drum about the longitudinal axis to mix the material in the drum and to transfer the material in the drum towards the outlet end of the drum;
• a plurality of mixing members supported in the hollow interior for rotation with the drum about the longitudinal axis;
• the mixing members being arranged to mix the material in the hollow interior of the drum;
• a plurality of transfer members supported in the hollow interior for rotation with the drum about the longitudinal axis;
• the transfer members being arranged to transfer the material in the hollow interior towards the outlet end of the drum;
• a discharge chute supported adjacent the outlet end of the drum and arranged for discharging material from the hollow interior of the mixing drum through the discharge opening at the outlet end;
• an inlet chute supported adjacent the inlet end of the drum;
• the inlet chute comprising a first opening at a top end arranged to receive the material therein, a second opening at a bottom end through which the material is arranged to be dispensed into the drum, and walls defining a passage from the first opening to the second opening;
• the inlet chute being supported for movement between a charging position in which second opening is in communication with inlet opening of drum, and an access position in which inlet chute is spaced from the inlet opening of the drum;
• the drum comprising an end wall opening at the inlet end of the drum and an inlet end wall which is arranged to span the end wall opening;
• the inlet opening being located in the inlet end wall;
• a fastening mechanism arranged to support the inlet end wall spanning the end wall opening so as to permit ready separation and reattachment of the inlet end wall to the inlet end of the drum;
• and
• a seal between the inlet chute and the inlet end wall comprising a sealing member about the inlet opening and a collar concentric with the sealing member in which one of the sealing member and the collar is supported on the inlet end wall and the other one of the sealing member and the collar is supported on the inlet chute such that the sealing member and the collar are in rotatable sealing engagement with one another in the charging position of the inlet chute.