The management of cleanliness in urban and industrial areas is assuming an increasingly crucial role. Maintaining cleanliness in city streets, squares, and public areas is not merely an aesthetic necessity but a fundamental element in ensuring public health and safeguarding the environments we inhabit. Similarly, in industrial areas, it is imperative to keep the surroundings free of dirt to ensure maximum safety during work activities. In these contexts, the street sweeper emerges as the ideal solution to ensure that urban and industrial environments are maintained in impeccable conditions, aligning with safety standards. To provide a comprehensive understanding of this machine, we have prepared a street sweeper guide, delving into its details and explaining what it is and how it works.
What is a Street Sweeper?
A street sweeper is a professional machine designed to sweep and remove dirt from large surfaces. It is also known as a road sweeper because it can circulate and operate on public roads. Additionally, it is commonly used in private contexts for cleaning large industrial areas. The street sweeper is considered a vehicle dedicated to ensuring the removal of dirt and solid residues from streets, squares, avenues, and large public spaces. It is important not to confuse street sweepers with combined machines, which, apart from sweeping, also have the capability to scrub surfaces.
How a street sweeper works
The operational principle of a street sweeper is fundamentally similar to that of traditional sweepers. As we’ll explore later, there are three main types of street sweepers: mechanical, vacuum, and mechanical-vacuum. Regardless of the specific type, the basic operation remains consistent: the removal of dirt and debris from the ground to collect them in the debris hopper. Let’s delve into the process of how a street sweeper works: initially, the dirt on the ground is directed toward the center of the machine by the side brushes and, if equipped, the swinging brush designed to reach difficult areas. Following this, the collected dirt and small debris are transported into the collection hopper for subsequent unloading and proper disposal. Meanwhile, the air is released back into the environment.
Types of street sweepers
To gain a comprehensive understanding of how a street sweeper operates, in this street sweeper guide it is crucial to delve into the various types available. Street sweepers can be categorized based on the collection system they employ:
- Mechanical street sweepers
- Vacuum street sweepers
- Mechanical-vacuum street sweepers
Each variant possesses distinct characteristics that render them more suitable for specific cleaning contexts than others. Let’s explore in detail the different types of road sweepers.
Mechanical street sweeper
The mechanical street sweeper relies solely on the mechanical action to collect dirt and debris from the ground. The central cylindrical brush plays a key role in mechanically pushing the dirt towards a trash conveyor paddle, which then directs it into the collection hopper. While mechanical street sweepers come equipped with a small suction system, in certain situations and with specific types of dirt, this system may not be powerful enough, leaving some material on the ground. For instance, small debris might remain lodged inside cracks on uneven pavement or in the presence of irregular surfaces and potholes. Mechanical road sweepers are often used in the construction sector, especially where there is a need to collect gravel or milling material.
Vacuum street sweeper
The vacuum street sweeper exclusively uses the suction action of the fan powered by the engine to collect and transport dirt and debris into the collection hopper. Typically, a vacuum sweeper is equipped with a suction nozzle positioned behind the side brushes. To ensure optimal suction, the nozzle is placed close to the ground, working on runners in direct contact with the surface. However, it’s crucial to note that on uneven floors or in the presence of potholes, a sudden impact could compromise the integrity of the entire mechanism.
Compared to mechanical street sweepers, vacuum street sweepers are more effective in collecting fine and lightweight materials. Another distinctive feature is the use of water: vacuum sweepers atomize water to control dust. Therefore, to effectively vacuum lightweight materials, they use a significant quantity of water. This system is primarily employed in small or medium-sized sweepers for cleaning environments with high dust levels, typically in public areas.
Mechanical vacuum street sweeper
The mechanical vacuum street sweeper combines the strength of mechanical action to collect substantial residues with the vacuum action for the finer dust collection. Comac’s TwinAction system serves as a prime example of a mechanical vacuum system for street sweepers. It stands out as a unique technology in the street sweeping sector, capable of integrating the performance of both actions into a single machine: using mechanical action to gather bulky waste, branches, and leaves, while employing vacuum action to capture even fine dust.
Mechanical vacuum sweepers are innovative and highly effective, delivering excellent cleaning results in various environments and in the presence of different types of dirt. If equipped with a rotating shaft with a hammer system, as seen in the HP4000 street sweeper, they can effortlessly collect large waste, which is subsequently shredded to prevent clogging of the suction duct.
How a Comac TwinAction mechanical vacuum street sweeper works
To comprehend the functionality of Comac’s exclusive TwinAction system, let’s consider the HP4000 street sweeper as an example. The initial step mirrors that of all street sweeper types: dirt on the ground is guided towards the machine’s center, facilitated by the side brushes and, if available, the swinging brush. Comac’s TwinAction system requires the street sweeper to be equipped with a waste shredder system. Upon reaching the rotating shaft with hammers, this system efficiently shreds debris like leaves, branches, fruit crates, cans, and bottles.
Simultaneously, the central cylindrical brush pushes the dirt towards the suction channel, depositing it into the collection hopper. While the dirt remains in the hopper, incoming air passes through the filter unit, reintroducing clean air into the environment. The HP4000 filter system, for instance, ensures the street sweeping machine achieves a high filtration level, retaining PM10 and PM2.5 fine particles. Finally, the waste container’s dumping system, which for the HP4000 can be high or low, facilitates emptying in designated areas for proper waste disposal.
A great advantage of the HP4000 mechanical vacuum street sweeper, compared to traditional vacuum sweepers, is its ability to operate without water. Water spraying is exclusively incorporated into auxiliary functions, minimizing dust on the side brushes, during waste unloading, and with the high-pressure washer accessory.
Sustainability and technological innovation in street sweepers
Modern street sweepers, beyond being essential partners in urban and industrial cleaning, embody a concrete commitment to environmental sustainability through the integration of cutting-edge technology They are no longer simple machines for removing dirt and debris from large public or private areas. They are real tools that integrate into the sustainable strategies of those opting to deploy them. The latest-generation street sweepers are meticulously designed to ensure exceptional operational efficiency while minimizing resource consumption. Equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, such as Comac Easy Fleet for street cleaning machines, they empower operators to monitor real-time performance, plan preventive maintenance, and optimize operations, elevating cleaning management to peak efficiency.
Moreover, these street sweepers are engineered for versatility, exemplified by mechanical vacuum sweepers capable of efficiently collecting various types of debris, achieving spotless surfaces in a single pass. Notably, in terms of sustainability, Comac’s mechanical vacuum street sweepers offer a distinct advantage compared to other types by operating without water. Water usage is restricted solely to auxiliary functions, strategically deployed to mitigate dust during operations, facilitate waste discharge, and employ the high-pressure washer accessory. This underscores their commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly cleaning practices.
Why choose a street sweeper
The street sweeper plays a pivotal role in urban and industrial cleaning management. This is why your choice must be thoughtful and informed. With various types available, such as mechanical, vacuum, and mechanical-vacuum sweepers, these machines are crafted for versatile adaptation to specific cleaning requirements. Choosing the right street sweeper is no simple task; it’s a decision that has a direct impact on the quality of both urban and industrial cleaning. This is why it is not just a need, but a commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility.
In urban settings, the street sweeper becomes the means with which to make our cities shine and, concurrently, the guardian ensuring road safety. In industrial areas, however, opting for a street sweeper represents an investment in the safety and well-being of workers. This decision contributes to fostering cleaner workspaces that adhere to regulatory standards. This street sweeper guide is useful for clarifying the operation, the types and giving you more information on this machine. But we advise you to rely on those who have the right skills to guarantee you professional advice in choosing the best street sweeper. Contact us now; a network of authorized Comac dealers is at your complete disposal to help you choose the best mechanical vacuum street sweeper.
This post is also available in: Italian