IBC / Tote Tank Mixers & Agitators
Electric and pneumatic mixers that mount on a standard 275–330 gallon tote in minutes. Built in Mobile, Alabama.
Mix directly in the tote. No transfer, no second vessel.
An Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) — also called a tote tank — is the standard reusable container for shipping and storing liquids. The problem is that many products settle, separate or thicken while they sit in the tote during transport or storage. Moving the contents to a separate mixing vessel adds handling, cleaning time, contamination risk and product loss.
US Mixers IBC tote mixers solve this by mixing in the original container. The E-400 folding impeller passes through the tote’s standard 6″ screw cap, opens inside, and restores the product to a consistent, usable condition — ready to dispense, transfer or process.
What every US Mixers IBC mixer includes
- Lightweight 316 stainless steel bridge that mounts directly on the tote frame
- Quick-action toggle clamps — fitted in minutes, no tools
- Forklift pockets and a lifting strap with eyebolt for hoist handling
- Safety interlock that prevents the mixer starting unless it is mounted on a tote
- E-400 folding impeller and 3/4" shaft in 316 stainless steel
- Electric models: prewired DOL starter with overload protection and pin-and-sleeve plug — factory tested, ready to plug in
- Air models: flow-control valve for speed and an exhaust muffler
Every mixer is built to order in Mobile, Alabama and typically dispatched within days.
Choose your drive
All four LBC models share the same bridge, clamps, interlock, impeller and options. The choice comes down to drive type and mixer size.
Electric — LBC-100 and LBC-200
1 HP or 2 HP gear-driven electric mixers. Supplied prewired with a DOL starter, overload protection, safety interlock and appliance plug; fixed speed as standard with an integral variable-speed option. Available in 120 V and 240 V single phase and 208/230/460 V three phase, 60 Hz.
Pneumatic — LBC-100A and LBC-200A
1 HP or 2 HP air-motor mixers with adjustable speed via a flow-control valve — no electrical supply or VFD needed. Lighter than the electric equivalents (71 lb / 90 lb) and the usual choice where compressed air is the plant standard.
Mixer selection guide
A general guide for standard 275–330 gallon totes. Viscosity is the biggest factor; specific gravity, solids content and the mixing objective also matter, so treat this as a starting point and talk to us for a recommendation.
| Product viscosity | Electric model | Pneumatic model | Power | Impeller | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to ~5,000 cP | LBC-100 | LBC-100A | 1 HP / 0.75 kW | 12" E-400 folding | Water-like liquids through medium viscosity: solvents, water-treatment chemicals, most paints and inks |
| ~5,000 – 15,000 cP | LBC-200 | LBC-200A | 2 HP / 1.5 kW | 13" E-400 folding | Heavier coatings, adhesives, slurries, gels. Dual impellers fitted above 4,000 cP |
- Dual impellers are fitted in all cases above 4,000 cP, for water-based inks, and with a powder hopper above 3,000 cP
- Thixotropic and shear-thinning products (thick at rest, thinner once mixed) generally need two impellers
- Emptying the tote right to the bottom with high solids? A low-level radial impeller on a long shaft is available
- Above ~15,000 cP or for unusual products, contact us — we will advise or test
Standard equipment and options
Standard on every bridge
- Stainless steel mixer bridge
- Quick-action toggle clamps
- Forklift pockets
- Lifting strap with eyebolt
- Safety interlock switch
- E-400 folding impeller, 316 stainless steel
- Fits industry-standard 275/330 gal totes with a 40" frame span and 6" screw cap
Options
- Powder hopper for adding powders with the mixer in place
- Two 1" liquid inlet connections (hopper and inlets can be combined on one bridge)
- Integral electronic variable speed (electric models)
- High-efficiency silencer (air models)
- Dual E-400 impellers or low-level radial impeller
- Polypropylene (PP) or PVDF shaft and impeller for corrosive products
- Polished / electroplated wetted parts for food and pharmaceutical duties (specify required Ra)
- 48" span frame for smaller totes (on request)
The E-400 folding impeller
The E-400 is what makes mixing through a 6″ cap possible. Its four blades fold to pass through the opening, then swing open under rotation to a 12″ or 13″ diameter inside the tote. It is designed for blending viscous liquids and re-suspending settled solids without removing the tote lid or transferring product.
Applications
Any product supplied or stored in totes that needs to be uniform before use:
- Paints, coatings and varnishes
- Inks, dyestuffs and pigments
- Adhesives and sealants
- Chemicals and specialty chemicals
- Water-treatment chemicals and flocculants
- Oilfield chemicals and drilling fluids
- Food and beverage
- Cosmetics and personal care
- Slurries and suspensions
- Contract blending and IBC filling
Why mix in the tote?
- Consistent product — every drawn batch matches the last, with no settled layer at the bottom
- No transfer — the tote is the mixing vessel, so there is no pumping to a tank and back
- Less cleaning — nothing else to wash out between products
- Less product loss — no residue left in a transfer vessel or lines
- Fast — clamp on, plug in, mix, unclamp; the mixer moves to the next tote
Weighing this against buying a dedicated vessel? See mixing tank with agitator for a side-by-side comparison.
Downloads
Request the IBC mixer datasheet by emailing info@usmixers.com.
Frequently asked questions
Will it fit my tote?
US Mixers IBC mixers fit industry-standard 275 and 330 gallon plastic totes with a metal outer frame (40″ span) and a 6″ screw cap — the type used by nearly every chemical supplier. A 48″ span frame for smaller containers is available on request.
Electric or pneumatic?
Choose electric if you have a suitable supply at the point of use and want plug-and-play operation. Choose pneumatic if compressed air is your plant standard, you want speed adjustment without a VFD, or you prefer no electrical equipment near the product. Both use the same bridge and impeller.
Which model do I need?
As a rule of thumb: LBC-100 / LBC-100A up to about 5,000 cP; LBC-200 / LBC-200A from 5,000 to 15,000 cP. Tell us the product, viscosity and specific gravity and we will confirm.
Do I need two impellers?
Yes above 4,000 cP, for water-based inks, and when using a powder hopper above 3,000 cP. Products that are thick at rest but thin out when mixed also generally need two. The second impeller sits about half an impeller diameter below the liquid surface.
Can I add powder or liquid while mixing?
Yes. The bridge can be supplied with a powder hopper, two 1″ liquid inlet connections, or both.
Can it be used in a hazardous area?
Standard electric and air mixers are designed for indoor use in a safe area. Tell us if the mixer will be used in a classified zone and we will advise on a suitable arrangement.
What do you need for a quote?
The product name, its viscosity and specific gravity, the tote size, whether you want electric or air drive, and what you are trying to achieve (re-suspend solids, blend in an additive, dissolve a powder). Lead times are typically days, not weeks.
