Powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), the fleet of sweepers will allow the City of Fresno to comply with AQMD Rule 1186.1 as well as various CARB regulations. “California is extremely aggressive and a leader when it comes to air and water quality,” said Raymond Massey, Director of Sales and Marketing for Schwarze. “Our compressed natural gas Schwarze M6000
single engine street sweeper has lower emissions, which is paramount when it comes to clean air.”

In addition to being a cleaner alternative to diesel fuel, compressed natural gas fuel is significantly cheaper than the petrol alternative. “It’s really a win-win for the city of Fresno,” said Massey. “They get an extremely rugged, simplistic sweeper that will provide them with numerous years of dependable service, while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.”

For more information about Schwarze Industries and Fresno’s alternative fuel fleet, visit www.schwarze.com or contact Raymond Massey at 800.879.7933.

The Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper can clean a wide, 117-inch path with its side broom and pickup head. With its side air-blast nozzle, debris can be blown off the track for distances up to 50 feet. The sweeper has a generous 8-yard hopper to contain ample track debris. The 2010 Freightliner M2 chassis features dual controls for operation from either the right- or left-side of the cab. The dual engine sweeper features a 115 hp turbocharged diesel engine for the sweeper and a 200 hp diesel chassis engine. For enhanced visibility, the sweeper is equipped with a vast array of amber safety lights on both the chassis and sweeper.

Throughout the 2010 NASCAR season – the 62nd season of professional stock car racing in the United States – the Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper will participate in several events, including races at Daytona International Speedway, Kansas Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Gateway International Raceway, O’Reilly Raceway, Iowa Speedway and several other tracks. Sporting a unique racing-themed graphics wrap, the sweeper is easy to spot as it makes its rounds.

“The Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper was designed for the most demanding racetrack sweeping jobs,” said Brian Giles, sweeper product manager at Elgin Sweeper. “With its special racetrack additions, this sweeper delivers unmatched operator efficiency and productivity on the racetrack.”

Giles said the new sweeper was engineered with input from racetrack officials in the NASCAR circuit. Elgin Sweeper representatives – along with Jeff Miles from Key Equipment & Supply Company, an Elgin Sweeper dealer based in Kansas City, Kans. – participated in, and conducted a training class at, the annual NASCAR Security and Services Summit to address various operations, fire and safety, medical and security issues, including track maintenance.

A lifelong racing enthusiast, Miles is also a lead driver for the Richard Petty Driving Experience, which gives him an added appreciation for clean track conditions while traveling to tracks across the United States. He has been helping design and supply Elgin Sweeper units to racetracks, airports, municipalities and contractors for nearly 20 years. In 2001, Miles had the opportunity to sweep the second layer of race surface at the new Kansas Speedway to help prevent airborne dust during a locally televised test session. “My racing experience not only gave me the chance to see first-hand the different tracks and their sweeping programs and challenges, it led to several design ideas for a sweeper that not only excelled on a racetrack surface but also worked efficiently around a racetrack complex,” Miles said.

In addition to sweeping the racetracks, Giles said the Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper can also quickly and efficiently remove standing water, rubber and debris in and around the pit area, which contributes to the overall safety of the racers, their crews and spectators. The machine has a special oil-dry pickup feature to significantly reduce airborne dust without spraying water on the race surface which could create a slick surface.

According to Giles, the top transport speed of the Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper clocks in at approximately 70 mph, ensuring prompt response on and off the track. “It may not be able to keep up with a stock car at top speed, but this sweeper can get from job to job and make quick work of any sweeping challenges that come up before, during and after a race,” he said.

Air-blast system
The powerful, 20,000 CFM-rated blower is ideally suited for locations where jet dryers can’t be used, such as grass on the inside field, pit areas and weepers (cracks on a racetrack where water seeps through). The blower volume, chute height and angle can all be controlled, making the sweeper even more maneuverable and responsive on the job.

Soft wall cleaning attachment
Using the same 20,000 CFM system, the soft wall cleaning attachment on the sweeper handles water, debris and rubber cleanup. The attachment features a 20-foot lightweight hose for easy operator control, an aluminum vacuum end tube for increased durability and a quick-disconnect for fast and easy installation and storage. For general cleaning, a larger rear door wandering hose is available.

Side broom
Featuring a poly bristle broom construction, the hydraulically-driven high-torque side broom can be controlled pneumatically by the operator inside the cab. The side broom extension allows track cleaning right up to the wall, while keeping ample sweeper distance from the wall for track safety light clearance.

Rear-door decant system
Designed for quick and efficient vacuum removal of standing water on racetracks, the Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper features a rear-door decant system which allows the machine to drain the load without opening the door. A large decant valve and debris filter cage are installed on the door to prevent hose clogging.

Tilt test
To verify that the Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper can operate effectively on the steep banks and inclines associated with various racetracks around the country, the machine was tested for maximum tilt angle at the Caterpillar, Inc., research facility in Peoria, Ill. An in-cab angle measurement system on the sweeper audibly and visually alerts the operator to steep incline conditions that exceed the maximum tilt angle.

Professional stock car racing fans can follow along with the Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper as it continues its tour of super tracks this racing season by visiting Elgin Sweeper’s Facebook page.

For more information on the new Crosswind Specialty Track Sweeper, please contact your local Elgin Sweeper dealer, or visit www.elginsweeper.com to find a dealer near you.

The Schwarze patent pending Load Leveler increases usable capacity by evenly distributing debris inside the hopper. An on-demand switch activates the load leveler, which works with both wet and dry debris.

“We talked with drivers and found that there was a need to address uneven debris distribution in street sweeping,” said Raymond Massey, Director of Sales and Marketing for Schwarze. “Previously, drivers were having to periodically tap the breaks to level out debris. With the Schwarze Load Leveler option, they are able to increase usable capacity up to 25% inside the hopper without driver intervention. Not only does this increase the amount of collected debris, it increases productivity due to less time dumping and eliminates excessive wear on the chassis brake system as well as adds comfort for the operator.”

Available through Schwarze’s extensive dealer network, the Load Leveler can also be retrofitted to any Schwarze Industries M6000 Sweeper.  Contact your local dealer for additional information about this industry leading feature.

For more information on the updated M6000 Load Leveler, visit www.schwarze.com or contact Raymond Massey at 800.879.7933.

Giles made the connection between street pollution and surface water pollution in his June 30 presentation to the workgroup in a meeting held at city hall in Elmhurst, Ill., a Chicago suburb. He is a frequent speaker on environmental protection topics to public and private conservation groups.

During the presentation, Giles described a variety of street surface pollutants that enter the sewers and, eventually, the waterways, paying particular attention to silt as a menace to clean streams. He said silt is inorganic matter less than 80 microns in diameter that tends to remain suspended in solution and is difficult to remove from surface water.

“Eighty percent of silt, or debris that could become silt, is located within several feet of the gutter,” Giles noted. “It may be hard to believe, but the average street has about 1,000 pounds of debris per mile. The key to preventing surface water pollution is to keep that debris from entering the storm sewers.”

Giles cited data on the effectiveness of various sweeping technologies in removing silt from the streets, ranging from a low of 81 percent using standard wet dust-control mechanical sweepers, to a high of 98 percent using high efficiency regeneration sweeper technology.

“Sweeping is a classic pollution prevention technique,” Giles explained. “It removes pollutants before they enter the sewers and streams. Catch basin cleaning can be an important – although expensive – part of an overall strategy to keep sewers free of debris and silt. An effective sweeping program can help minimize that expense.”

Giles advised municipal officials to become familiar with the science and technology of street sweeping, including the importance of frequent sweeping. 

“As an industry, we have to help local governments understand that street sweeping can be an effective water-pollution prevention strategy,” Giles emphasized. “It’s more than just making the streets look pretty.”

Already packed with exclusive features like a power assisted boom and fully shrouded unit, the re-designed Schwarze SP-550 now includes a host of upgrades designed to increase productivity and reduce operation costs for the end user.

“We are always looking for ways to further develop our machines to allow for increased production capabilities and a lower cost of operation for our end users,” said Raymond Massey, Director of Sales and Marketing for Schwarze. “We’ve listened to our customers, as well as our dealers, and made adjustments to improve operation for the end user.”

The re-designed SP-550 has a larger blower to increase airflow, delivering more aggregate for faster repairs. It also sports an upgraded air intake for the blower, stronger shrouding, and an improved hydraulic pump.

“It all starts with better component design,” said Jeff Witt, Product Specialist for Schwarze. “From there we move into improving what the SP-550 is already known for: ease of operation, longer component life, exceeding government standards, and of course, repairing any sized road damage with speed and quality.”

The re-designed SP-550 is now available through Schwarze’s extensive dealer network.

For more information on the re-designed SP-550 Spraypatcher, visit www.schwarze.com or contact Raymond Massey at 800.879.7933.

The Vacall VS10 Street Sweepers will be used for clean up duties during the following events: National Hot Rod Association Full-Throttle Pro Series Nationals on June 3-6, NASCAR® Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series on July 9 and 10, and IndyCar®/NASCAR Trucks 300 on August 27 and 28.

"EJ Equipment is a long-time distributor for Vacall and to share this experience highlights a partnership that continues to provide great moments for the Vacall product line," said Edgar J. Chavez, vice president of Vacall products for Gradall Industries. "We are very excited to have the Vacall sweepers showcased before one of the largest audiences in the world."

In addition to street sweepers, Vacall brand products include high performance sewer cleaners, vacuum/hydro excavators and other machines known for excellent power and durability.

For more information about Vacall Products, or to locate distributors in any region, visit www.vacallindustries.com.

The Schwarze model GS6 is a heavy duty, chassis-mounted, regenerative air sweeper. Engineered with a completely new approach to sweeper frame design, the GS6 can be manufactured without the need for a chassis on site. It can then be shipped in a container to the mounting location for final installation on the chassis. This approach drastically reduces freight costs worldwide making the GS6 more competitive in a global market.

Several industry leading features come standard on the GS6, including Schwarze’s WhisperWheelSM fan system which lets Schwarze air sweepers run more than 70 percent quieter and with up to 20 percent less fuel consumption. Also included on the GS6 is Schwarze’s industry leading Sweeps-In-ReverseSM feature, allowing operation in both forward and reverse directions.

“The GS6 has been met with excellent reviews in our European market,” said Raymond Massey, Director of Sales and Marketing for Schwarze. “Based on these extremely positive results, we knew it was time to move the GS6 into the North and South American markets.”

The Schwarze GS6 also comes with LED lighting, standard on all new sweeper products this year, with the exception of the floodlights. While the floodlights are still incandescent, Schwarze is offering an LED option. “The addition of LEDs lowers the overall electric draw and increases the life expectancy of the lights and alternator,” Massey explained. More importantly, the LED lighting has lower maintenance costs.

The GS6 generates a high-velocity air column of more than 17,000 CFM propelled through a 14-inch blast tube. This high-volume air blast loosens debris from pavement surfaces, transporting it into a 7.8 cubic yard hopper via a 14-inch suction tube. This highly efficient system ensures that even hard to reach particles, including a significant amount of PM-10 fines known to contain a high percentage of heavy metals and other pollutants, are removed. The result is a cleaner surface and a cleaner environment.

Link to retrieve hi-res (300 dpi) images.

www.conwaymktg.com/schwarzepr

The 2010 chassis-mounted, regenerative Schwarze model A4000 street sweeper boasts a new hopper design to increase capacity, as well as a new bolt-on hopper shroud and bolt-in suction tube. Also added is a water nozzle inside the suction intake for better dust control.

“The A4000 street sweeper has had many years of successful operation throughout the United States and around the globe,” said Raymond Massey, Director of Sales and Marketing for Schwarze. “Our goal for 2010 is to continue to improve upon our design and provide our customers with the most advanced sweepers possible.”

One of the major changes to the A4000 includes a departure from electric-powered broom tilt adjusters to a hydraulic cylinder actuated system. A new dual hydraulic cylinder rear dump door with in-cab controls has also been added. Additionally, Schwarze has redesigned the water system on the A4000 to the current field-proven electric pump that is utilized on other A Series machines. A third toolbox option is available for the updated A4000 as well.

“We’ve listened to our customer base and made improvements based on their feedback,” said Massey. “We’ve included features like extremely durable stainless steel inspection door latches and the new hydraulic gutter broom tilt feature.”

The new A4000, along with all other 2010 models, comes standard with LED lighting, with the exception of the floodlights. While the floodlights are still incandescent, Schwarze is offering an LED option. The addition of LEDs lowers the overall electric draw and increases the life expectancy of the lights and alternator, leading to lower maintenance costs.

• Flotation device under the seat: check.
• Access to the mid-plane emergency exits: check.
• Nothing suspicious or odd hanging from the wings: check.

Now, anxious flyers can add another item to the list: clean runway.
Pilot error. Terrorists. Faulty mechanics. Many things can bring down a plane, but none more quickly than a stray piece of metal on an airport runway.
Careful sweeping and daily checks of runways are a seldom-seen but integral part of keeping passengers safe. An impressive arsenal of sweeping machines, huge magnets, chemicals and even radar in some places—along with a simple scan by human eyes— keep airplanes where they belong: in the air.
The biggest single safety issue in the airline industry is FOD, or Foreign Object Debris. The FOD can be natural—such as rocks, brush or birds—or manmade—such as metal components or rubber. The rare but entirely possible result of FOD is that the object can be sucked into an aircraft engine and cause catastrophic damage or bring a plane down.
Unsecured fuel caps, tools from maintenance trucks and all sorts of other items can wind up on an airport runway. Routine sweeping—along with the use of powerful magnets—are part of nearly every airport’s maintenance routine.
“I don’t see how there is anything more important than keeping the runway clear of debris. It has tremendous negative outcomes if you have any debris on the runway,” said Bill Johnson, Executive Director of the Tallahassee-based Florida Airports Council. The group represents twenty commercial and seventy-three general aviation airports.
“Keeping a runway clear of debris,” he continued, “is the most important thing any airport can do.”.
The issue has several components. First, FOD such as small pieces of metal can end up in an engine. A second consideration is that an object on the runway can split an aircraft’s tire, peeling off rubber. The result is a piece of rubber that can wind up in an engine.
How airports deal with the issue depends on the size of the facility and frequency of flights as well as whether or not vehicles routinely cross the runways or travel on other areas that service airplanes. Additionally,. construction projects on hangars, air traffic control towers or terminals introduce hundreds of opportunities for FOD to get on a runway, Johnson noted.
Regardless, each day, the runways are checked—sometimes by highly technical radar or other devices, other times by a worker driving along the edge to look for FOD.
Airline safety experts and the federal government all place a priority on FOD and  its detection. The Air Force Safety Center has even produced special FOD prevention posters. One shows a man with a broom and another man bending down to pick up something from a runway. The caption: “One person can make a difference.” Another poster, this one with a gruesome skeleton holding pieces of metal, reads simply: “FOD: just waiting to happen.”
“People don’t understand the true implications [of FOD]. Even if a piece of material goes into an engine and doesn’t cause a crash, it can cause multiple millions of dollars worth of damage to an engine. For the airport, it is critically important that airport runways are clean of all debris all the time,” Johnson explained.
Sweeping plays a crucial role. Runways are often one or two miles long, and 100 to 200 feet wide. The size of the sweeping device depends on the size of the airport runway. Many use conventional sweepers—just like the ones for parking lots, construction sites and roads. However, to make sure that every piece of metal is collected, airport maintenance workers also use magnets, which are able to pull ferrous objects from oily or greasy surfaces. Blowers and vacuums can collect much of the debris, but they do not work as well as a strong magnet sweeper does in certain situations.
Magnet manufacturers customize their products so they can be used on trucks and conventional sweepers. Magnets are used in untold areas of industry. The magnets produced by Magnetic Products, Inc. of Michigan, for example, are mounted above food conveyers to pull out any stray metal bits that may have found their way into the food during the production process.
Two types of magnets are used with sweepers on airport runways. The first is a permanent magnet that requires no power to feed or operate it. The magnet can hold anything that is ferrous, or attracted to a magnet, at all times. A permanent magnet has no “off switch.” Debris has to be manually cleared from the magnet surface. The operation is simple, but requires more work. Usually, the magnets on sweepers have a faceplate that breaks the magnetic surface and reduces the amount of force required to clear the magnet.
The other type of magnet used with sweepers is an electromagnet, which operates with copper or aluminum coils. DC current is fed to the magnet, creating a powerful force field. Cut the electricity, and the magnet loses its power and allows items to drop away.
Conventional sweepers, sweepers with magnetic attachments and magnets used alone are all components of an airport’s runway maintenance equipment.
A final issue, according to Johnson, is the accumulation of rubber on the runways. As airplanes land, they leave a trail or skid mark from their tires. Too much rubber on a runway can hamper the aircraft’s ability to land. “Too much rubber affects the braking,” he said. “Braking with rubber on rubber instead of rubber on asphalt can affect stopping.” To counter that issue, airport operators use chemicals, water and sweepers to scrape the rubber when it begins to accumulate too thickly in vital landing areas.
Johnson compares runway cleaning with keeping a parking lot or roadway swept. The stakes, however, are much higher if an errant piece of material ends up in an aircraft engine.
“Whether it’s a parking lot at a mall or a road, you just have to sweep this stuff up. Thousands of airplanes can fly off a runway with a bolt sitting on it and nothing would happen. When it does, it’s a fluke. It’s just [that] we are trying to keep the fluke from happening,” Johnson said.
“It still comes down to the basics of how you keep stuff off any kind of runway, roadway or parking lot, except you don’t have a multi-million dollar engine at stake.
“The implication of a flat tire in a parking lot is a little different than a three-inch bolt going into a jet engine. In aviation, all accidents happen because of multiple things that go wrong,” Johnson said.
Keeping a runway clean by using road sweepers and magnets removes at least one element from the equation.
Nervous flyers: your list has now expanded.

By Marie Elium