Sweepers: Buying Guide

What is a sweeper and how it works

A sweeper is a machine designed for cleaning streets, sidewalks, squares and other surfaces of varying sizes, in both professional and domestic settings. Essentially, a sweeper consists of several parts: a push-type or self-propelled machine, a system of rotating brushes, suction and a collection tank for gathered debris.

The sweeper operates through a combined system of rotating brushes and suction. The brushes, usually mounted on the front and sides of the machine, collect dust and debris moving them toward the center. Once collected, the material is sucked up through a powerful suction system and conveyed into a collection tank. Some sweepers are equipped with HEPA filters that retain the smallest particles, ensuring cleaner air. The combination of these elements allows for efficient and thorough cleaning, making professional sweepers essential tools for maintaining public and private spaces.

Where and how to use a sweeper

Before choosing a sweeper, it's important to evaluate the work area for which the machine would be purchased. We can summarize the evaluation of a sweeper's working conditions in the following points:

• Size of the area to sweep: consider not only the total surface but also the cleanable area and any presence of fixed/mobile obstacles, which would steer the choice toward a more easily maneuverable sweeper.
• Surface to treat: The type of surface to clean should be considered to mount the correct brushes on the machine. Smooth surfaces like concrete or asphalt floors require sweepers with soft brushes, while more uneven surfaces like cobblestones or gravel need stiffer, more resistant brushes. Also consider whether the sweeper will be used indoors, outdoors or both to evaluate the machine's power source: for larger areas, a diesel, petrol or LPG sweeper is recommended.
• Type of debris to collect: there are sweepers with advanced filtration systems, with HEPA filters, to retain finer particles and provide, in addition to a swept floor, cleaner air. For sweepers meant to remove coarser, bulkier dirt like leaves, sand and waste, a machine with different brush configurations and an excellent suction system with collection tank is recommended.
• Environmental conditions and frequency of use: Environmental conditions like humidity, presence of water or mud and extreme temperatures can influence sweeper choice. It's important to evaluate the frame and construction data of the machine, its corrosion resistance and temperature range for proper sweeper operation. Also important is frequency of use and whether the machine requires downtime, as is the case with battery-powered sweepers, for recharging.

Types of sweepers

• Micro Sweepers:
  Micro sweepers are compact and agile machines, ideal for confined spaces like sidewalks, bike paths, driveways and domestic courtyards. These sweepers are easy to push and maneuver and can access narrower areas where larger machines would stop. Despite their small size, micro sweepers have powerful and effective operation in small work areas.
• Walk-Behind Sweepers:
  Walk-behind sweepers are medium-sized machines that the operator guides while standing behind the machine. These sweepers can be push-type or traction-type, where the operator walks along with the machine's operation. Walk-behind sweepers are suitable for cleaning urban, commercial areas and moderate-sized work contexts like courtyards, workshops and warehouses. Their structure allows good visibility and precise control, making them versatile and easy to use in different situations. Compared to ride-on sweepers, they require less storage space.
• Ride-On Sweepers:
  Ride-on sweepers are the largest and most powerful sweepers on the market. These machines are designed to cover large surfaces and feature a driver's cabin where the operator sits and controls the machine. Ideal for streets, large parking lots and shopping centers, ride-on sweepers offer high cleaning performance and can work for long hours thanks to their sturdy construction and spacious collection tanks. These sweepers are equipped with a high-performance engine, battery, combustion or LPG. If choosing a battery-powered sweeper model, it's important to compare the machine's hourly performance and battery charging time.

Technical Specifications to consider

Among the technical parameters to evaluate when choosing a sweeper are:

• Working Width:
  Working width refers to the space the machine can cover with its brushes' action. This data is usually expressed in cm. For the smallest micro models, working width ranges from 20 cm up to a maximum of 2 m for road sweepers. Data may be provided for both central and side brush width, both in cm.
• Hourly Yield:
  indicates the ratio between working width and sweeper advancement time. This data is usually indicated in m²/h.
• Advance Speed:
  indicates the speed at which the sweeper advances while working. This data is usually expressed in km/h.
• Slope:
  indicates the maximum slope degree the sweeper can handle while maintaining proper working parameters for correct operation. Expressed in %.
• Turning Radius:
  indicated in cm. This value indicates the sweeper's ability to turn around itself and reflects the machine's maneuverability.
• Container Capacity:
  the larger the waste container's capacity, the less the machine needs to stop for emptying. This data is expressed in liters.
• Side Brush:
  useful for covering corners and edges that are harder to sweep. Generally present on walk-behind and ride-on sweepers.
• Filter Surface:
  if the sweeper has a filter, the filter surface is indicated in m².