Disclosed is a rotary mixer and method of operating such. The rotary mixer may comprise a frame, an arm pivotally connected to the frame, a mixing chamber, a cantilevered rotor and a gearbox. The mixing chamber includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The cantilevered rotor is disposed inside the mixing chamber and has a supported end adjacent to the first sidewall and a free end adjacent to the second sidewall. The cantilevered rotor is operably connected at the supported end to the arm. The cantilevered rotor includes a shell and a plurality of work tools mounted thereon. The shell extends from a first cutting edge to a second cutting edge. The second cutting edge is adjacent to the second sidewall. The gearbox extends through the first sidewall and into the supported end of the cantilevered rotor.