Most cement mixer trucks are rated to carry between 6 and 12 cubic metres (m³) of concrete. The drum itself is larger than that rated load, because concrete needs empty space inside to mix. Vanguard Transport's cement mixer drums are 9 to 14 m³. For planning, use the truck's rated load, not the drum size, and divide your pour volume by it, then round up.
Drum volume and rated load are different
Truck makers distinguish between the size of the drum and what it can carry. Sinotruk's mixer truck capacity guide puts it this way: the drum volume is the internal volume of the drum, while the mixing capacity is the practical amount of concrete that can be safely mixed and transported. It adds that the actual mixing capacity is lower than the total drum volume because the concrete needs room to move.
SANY's concrete truck volume guide gives a similar example: a drum rated at 10 cubic yards of concrete can have a physical space of around 14 cubic yards.
So when a supplier quotes a drum size, ask what load it is rated to carry.
Typical rated capacities
The Sinotruk guide groups rated capacities like this:
- Small trucks: 3 to 5 m³
- Most common: 6, 8, 10 and 12 m³
- Specialised trucks: some above 14 m³
Why trucks are not bigger
Weight is the limit. The Sinotruk guide notes that a cubic metre of ready-mix concrete can weigh more than two tonnes depending on the mix design, so an 8 m³ load can weigh well over 16 tonnes before counting the truck. Chassis strength, axle loads and local weight regulations decide how much a truck can legally and safely carry.
How many trucks does a pour need?
Divide the concrete volume by the truck's rated load, then round up. For example:
- A 50 m³ pour with 8 m³ loads needs 7 deliveries (50 ÷ 8 = 6.25, rounded up).
- A 100 m³ pour with 8 m³ loads needs 13 deliveries (100 ÷ 8 = 12.5, rounded up).
The number of trucks on site at once is a different question. It depends on how fast the crew or pump can place concrete, how far the batching plant is, and how long each truck takes to discharge. Agree the delivery rhythm with your supplier and transport contractor before pour day, so a truck is never left waiting and the next one is not queuing at the gate.
How Vanguard Transport supports a pour
Vanguard Transport supplies cement mixer trucks with Vanguard drivers, allocated to your project under a long-term contract, so the same drivers know your site and its access. See cement mixer truck delivery and our fleet, or talk to us about your project.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard size of a cement mixer truck?
There is no single standard. Rated loads commonly run from 6 to 12 m³, with 6, 8, 10 and 12 m³ the most common, according to manufacturer guides.
Is the drum capacity the same as the amount of concrete it carries?
No. The drum is bigger than the rated load because concrete needs space to mix. Always plan with the rated load.
How much does a cubic metre of concrete weigh?
It depends on the mix design, but a cubic metre of ready-mix concrete can weigh more than two tonnes.
How many cement mixer trucks do I need for my pour?
Divide the pour volume by the truck's rated load and round up to get the number of deliveries. How many trucks you need on site at once depends on how fast concrete can be placed and how far the plant is.
Written by the Vanguard Transport team, Singapore. Sources are linked in the text.
