Sweepers: varieties and rating of the best

Many modern devices and mechanisms are designed specifically to replace humans as fully as possible in some areas of activity, simplifying tasks and making them safer. The first such machines were created to perform hazardous work, but then the developers paid attention to those actions that have to be performed everywhere, but not everyone wants to take on them and spend a lot of time on it. Cleaning of the territory is one of such tasks, which is why sweeping machines are so in demand today.

Sweepers are a whole segment of machinery that can be organized in different ways. In its simplest form, it is an ordinary trolley with a large brush. The latter rotates due to the energy of a small battery. In general, the mechanism is driven by the force of the operator. Such a unit is equipped with a garbage collector of a certain volume and a suction system that allows you to collect all the dust that is raised. A much more serious amount of work can be performed by fully mechanized models, which in appearance somewhat resemble a small tractor or loader, and also have their own move.

A sweeping machine cannot completely replace human work, since an operator is still needed for its operation. However, the mechanized version of the cleaner allows you to refine a much larger area in a short time. Therefore, where previously it was necessary to hire several people, now you can get by with one car and one employee. Controlling a unit, even in a completely mechanical version, is usually not particularly difficult, therefore, you can bring a new worker up to date in just a few minutes. Differences in size, power and other parameters allow the use of sweeping machine models for different purposes. Therefore, such a purchase can come in handy in almost any situation.

Sweeping machines can be classified according to numerous parameters of their functioning, but if the consumer first thought about the need to purchase such a unit, then it is best to highlight potential areas of application. On the one hand, this will make it possible to assess to what extent the mechanism will be able to solve the assigned tasks.

Perhaps the most used category today are indoor or warehouse sweepers. With their help, cleaning of industrial enterprises and even large supermarkets is often carried out. Such a unit simply cannot be low-powered. It is designed for cleaning large areas and intensive use several times a day without days off and holidays, and therefore cannot have significant restrictions in work. Almost always, such a device assumes a self-propelled method of movement, however, due to work in the premises, the operator usually does not need any cab - he can even be placed directly on the body.

A more advanced option is street sweepers. Their specificity lies in the fact that you have to work with them in any weather outdoors, therefore, good waterproofing of all electrical components must be provided.At the same time, it would be a mistake to believe that all such units are necessarily high-tech and expensive. It all depends on how large the area for cleaning is supposed to be.

For a personal plot near a house or summer cottage, relatively simple models without an independent move are usually chosen. They are much cheaper, but show good efficiency in a small area. Often the same units are purchased by the city authorities to care for crowded public places so that they always remain clean. As for full-fledged mechanized street models, they are quite rare due to their high cost.

A snow machine can be either universal (instead of a brush, a snow shovel is simply installed on it), or highly specific (the nozzle cannot be removed, therefore it can be used exclusively in winter). Snow removal machines in most cases do not use a drive to move. They act like a snow plow by simply pushing snow off the path. Even taking into account the fact that such a mechanism should not transport large volumes of snow mass inside itself, the resistance of the snow cover is still often too intense for the unit to not assume an independent movement.

In addition to the above-described comprehensive classification by purpose, sweepers can be divided into classes and other criteria that should definitely be considered before buying a specific model. It has already been said above that the simplest model does not have an engine for independent movement, however, it can be driven in different ways. If the unit is rather light and is not designed for cleaning a very large area, a person can also lead it using manual force. Larger models can be trailed.

At the same time, any, even a hand-held sweeping machine, must be equipped with a suction mechanism, otherwise the dust will not be removed efficiently. This means that almost any model of such a unit still assumes the presence of a certain mechanical engine. Since the provision of movement does not fall on the power supply, in such situations, manufacturers usually limit themselves to battery models. Their batteries are equipped with fast charging units, and the unit itself is equipped with two or even three batteries so that the harvesting process remains uninterrupted.

Self-propelled models can have a different type of engine, depending on what area they are cleaning. So, indoors, cars with electric motors are almost always used, since the latter are much quieter, and most importantly, they do not emit gaseous emissions. In the room, there are likely to be outlets nearby for regular battery charging, therefore this particular option seems most appropriate in a hypermarket or in a warehouse. However, sometimes such machines are used in street conditions, provided that the cleaning is carried out in a confined space, and the charge is definitely enough for the road there and back.

It is these machines that are usually used for snow removal, since such a mechanism does not take up the strength. In general, it is applicable for any tasks on the street, since there the characteristic smell of burning fuel is no longer so critical. Without exception, all gasoline models are equipped with a seat for the operator and are capable of taking away a solid load, which allows you to take a supply of gasoline with you over long distances. If necessary, fuel can be urgently purchased at any gas station or even drained from the car.In addition, this procedure is quite fast when compared to charging a battery. Therefore, for large-scale work in street conditions, it is usually gasoline-powered sweepers that are used.

Manufacturers of such equipment strive to regularly update model lines in pursuit of cost reduction and efficiency gains, so any rating quickly becomes obsolete. To avoid knowingly false statements and to remain objective, consider several effective models without sorting them according to any ranking.

• Daewoo DASC 7080 Is a good example of how a versatile all-season machine for year-round operation can remain compact. Despite its modest dimensions, the unit is self-propelled, while its engine is equipped with overload protection. The width of a standard brush is about 80 cm.

• Patriot S 610P - a good and relatively inexpensive (about 70 thousand rubles) Chinese unit designed to work in street conditions. Like the previous model, it is universal and all-weather, but it is assembled much more thoroughly. For improved maneuvering, the mechanism even includes a six-speed gearbox. The aisle width is 100 cm and the replacement equipment is produced and supplied by the same manufacturer as the machine itself.

• MTD Optima PS 700 already assumes seven speeds to optimally adapt to the operator's step, which is quite unusual, because this light model rolls by hand, but has a 2.2 liter gasoline engine. However, the latter, at a low price (within 60 thousand rubles), provides a fairly high power of the unit, for which it is appreciated. With its help, it is really very easy to clean up both debris and even snow. The peculiar features of the model are the ability to rotate the brush when the body is in a non-replaceable position and the presence of special protection of the equipment from damage by single stones.

• Stiga SWS 800 G Is one of the cheapest street cleaning models. With a strong desire, you can buy it even for 40-45 thousand rubles. Technical characteristics as a whole repeat all those that are characteristic of the above-described models, or differ insignificantly.

• STARMIX-HAAGA 355 - a very inexpensive option for those who need to clean a small area. Such a machine is good for its price (25 thousand rubles), although it will have to be pushed manually - no engine is provided for moving in it. The mechanism can be used outdoors mainly in the warm season, although even collecting fallen leaves is not a problem for it. With a bin volume of 20 liters, such a unit will be almost the best choice for a small personal plot.

When choosing a specific option, focus on the technical characteristics and your needs.

Many criteria for choosing a sweeper have already been described above, but they are still not enough to make the perfect choice. Let's consider what other characteristics of the device matter.

• Performance. The width of the rig and the speed of movement of the unit directly indicate how much area you can clean in a certain time. To do this as quickly as possible, select the parameters with the maximum value, but do not forget that too wide a rig may not go into hard-to-reach places. A good bonus would be the ability to adjust the speed of rotation of the brush and choose its height. This will allow you to adapt to the needs of different locations. Often, manufacturers also indicate the maximum recommended cleaning area. It shows what area the unit can clean without recharging and refueling.
• Waste container volume largely determines the efficiency of the sweeper.If it is quite roomy, then the unit will have to be removed from the “route” for unloading only once, after the completion of the cleaning procedure. If the tank is small, you will have to do this more often. At the same time, in models without independent movement, the small dimensions of the tank are a necessity, otherwise the operator will simply not be able to move the mechanism.

• Expensive models are called universal and all-weather, since their attachments can be replaced with another at any time. The possibility of replacing brushes allows you to always maintain the attachments in a decent form, select them specifically for each type of surface to be cleaned, and even change them to snow shovels according to the season. Such a model will cost a lot, but it allows you to “kill all birds with one stone” at once.

• Integrated headlight Is an optional part of a sweeping machine, however, if the work needs to be done outside at different times of the day, it will prove to be an invaluable addition.
• Hydraulic unloadinglike a real garbage truck, allows any person to operate the unit, even if he cannot boast of outstanding physical condition. Such a built-in mechanism is able to independently raise the unit's garbage container and turn it over the garbage can. In this case, the weight of the filled waste container will no longer be of fundamental importance.

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