There are 2 kinds of machines classified as sweepers. The 1st type relies on high volume of vacuum airflow only, with no brushing, to accomplish the debris pickup. The debris is collected in a canvas type bag. These units work for bulky litter (i.e. fast food parking lots or paper debris in a plant) but have no dust control system and tend to create a lot of airborne dust when operating. We do not recommend them for indoor applications that have any kind of dust present. They are typically less expensive than a broom type sweeper.
The 2nd type of sweeper (and more common) utilizes both a broom to aggressively sweep all types of debris and possess a dust containment system to trap airborne dust generated by the machine. This is the best performing and most effective type of sweeper.
Productivity of hand sweeping with a push broom is about 750-1,000 sq ft per hour and there is no dust control. Walk behind sweepers productivity is about 500 sq ft per inch of width per hour (i.e. 20” machine = 10,000 sq ft per hour). Battery ride on sweepers productivity is about 750 sq ft per inch of sweep width per hour (i.e. 20” rider machine = 15,000 sq ft per hour). Large battery or engine powered units approach 1,200 sq ft per inch of sweep width per hour (i.e. 40” = 48,000 sq ft per hour). Power sweepers trap and control dust, which hand sweeping does not. With ride on types there are smaller sizes with debris hoppers you manually empty and keep maneuverability and acquisition costs low. Mid and large size sweepers come with automatic dumping debris hoppers that are controlled from the operator’s seat and raise to empty directly into trash containers. These require larger aisles to operate in and can have significantly higher acquisition cost but can handle large amounts of debris and be 40+ times faster than hand sweeping
High performing, effective dust control systems are imperative to achieve your goals and PowerClean Equipment only offers sweepers that meets this criteria.
Size of areas to clean
Scrubbing small spaces like break or locker rooms, around production area cells or machinery the smallest 13-17” scrubbers are ideal. Several work in forward and reverse for tight to wall scrubbing and excellent results. Once in open areas they become limited by the water tank capacities and battery run time. These are also great complements to facilities owning larger equipment as a way to clean areas the big machines can’t reach.
Scrubbing facilities under 25,000 sq ft, the 20-26” units are ideal. They have the tank/sweep hopper/battery capacities for higher production rates and run times to match. Typically these units clean more aggressively if needed and are great complements to the larger machines as well.
Sweeping facilities under 25,000 sq ft the 28”-41” walk behinds are most common, though if the aisle areas are open the 46” rider units with the manual empty hoppers work very well.
Scrubbing facilities 15-40,000 sq ft, the 26”-38” walk behind units and the smaller 22”-36” riders are ideal. A little more debris is typical in these applications and the considerations of sweeping needs becomes more prevalent. Machines in this category, using the cylindrical sweeping scrub systems are most common and offer stronger performance, larger capacities and more run time enabling you to clean more areas quicker. For some applications a separate sweeper and scrubber are appropriate.
Sweeping facilities over 25,000 sq ft can be a rider application and over 50,000+ the larger self dumping hopper type sweepers become more common, depending on the amount of debris to be swept in the application.
Facilities over 40,000 sq ft open up the applicability of almost all machines and will vary depending on the desired end result, budget, the time available to spend cleaning (man hours), the total square footage of cleanable area, sweeping needs, facility congestion and aisle widths among other considerations. While many times large combination machines are used, battery rider units in the 34-46” widths and tank capacities in the 35-100 gallon range are the most common.