A much more efficient configuration is the no-tow mixer. One example is the roller mixer, another is the "widow maker" configuration I used for years. In both cases zero energy is used to move the vehicle or the mixer. You are still dealing with the inefficiencies of an ICE, but at least most of the usable energy is not wasted driving down a road. As always, with either of these you have to allow for the danger of rotating shafts and wheels. Safety is always the first concern.
spaceman
On 3/16/2012 12:57 PM, JayH wrote:
Of the fraction of energy that does actually make it to the wheels of a vehicle, most of that energy is used simply to move the massive weight of the vehicle, the driver, the tow mixer, and the large weight of water, paper, and cement in the mixer around. The goal is not to take your papercrete mix on a scenic tour of the neighborhood. I don't care how beautiful the scenery is. Moving it around the block, or up and down the road is a big waste of energy.
__._,_.___
